Attorney Carl Chapman is a trial lawyer who specializes in criminal defense and thrives in the courtroom. He served as second-chair in the Atlanta Public Schools (“APS”) cheating scandal which was a racketeering (“RICO”) prosecution that resulted in the longest, most expensive trial in Georgia history. Within two weeks of obtaining his license, he won his first trial as lead counsel and never looked back. He has handled hundreds of cases and always shows up ready for trial. Carl provides the highest quality representation to every client, and his knowledge of case law and passion for criminal defense is unmatched. He truly believes every case is winnable. Therefore, he prepares every case for trial. He believes in honest and open communication because trust is the foundation of a positive attorney-client relationship. Carl is originally from Warren County and attended Briarwood Academy where he graduated as Valedictorian and Star Student in 2008. He graduated with honors from Georgia Southern University in 2012 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Fraud and Forensic Accounting. He continued his education at Georgia State University College of Law and obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2015. During law school, Carl focused his studies on advanced litigation techniques and complex evidentiary issues. He coupled those studies with real-world applications and gained invaluable courtroom experience with some of the most well-respected attorneys in Georgia. He interned with Peters, Rubin, & Sheffield, P.C., in Decatur, Georgia where he had the opportunity to work on the APS case which, as previously mentioned, was the longest, most expensive trial in Georgia history. He also interned with the Federal Defender Program in Atlanta, Georgia which represents indigent defendants in the Northern District of Georgia. During that time, he assisted with the research and drafting of appellate briefs for the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to opening the Law Office of Carl Chapman, he worked for the Law Offices of W. Scott Smith in Atlanta, Georgia which is recognized as one of the top criminal defense firms in the state. In his three years with the firm, he gained invaluable experience from being in the courtroom daily and handling a wide variety of criminal offenses. If you hire attorney Carl Chapman, you can rest assured that you will get the individual attention you deserve and will deal directly with him from the very beginning. He will work to shoulder the burden of your charges. Remember, your charges do not define you, and Carl will work with you to ensure that you receive the best result possible. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I can feel my impact the most at the end of long jury trial when the jury returns a verdict in favor of my client. That feeling is unmatched, but I also feel like getting a client their desired outcome during pre-trial negotiations is an even greater accomplishment. A good outcome is relative to the facts of the case and really dependent on what the individual client wants. I like to have each client rank his or her priorities at the outset of the case so I can get them the best offer possible tailored to their specific needs. If that final offer is unsatisfactory, then we ask for a jury trial. How did you build a successful practice? I have built a successful practice through preparation and client communication. Those two concepts go hand in hand to the extent that you never want to learn a new fact in court. I always know the case better than my opposing counsel, and I am always accessible to clients so they can tell me things about their case or ask questions about the legal process. What should clients look for in a lawyer? I always tell clients that they have to go with the attorney that makes them feel the most comfortable. I don’t mean to say that they should choose the attorney who promises them the moon. No, they have to see through that salesman and know that no attorney can make promises about a specific outcome. However, it is possible to get a sense of what the attorney will do to ensure the client gets a good outcome. You should ask questions and the attorney should ask questions of you. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? I usually tell clients not to hire me just because I know the judge or opposing counsel. I know many attorneys that have good relationships with opposing counsel because they always settle or plea out their cases with less than optimal terms for their clients. I don’t take a scorched-earth approach, but if I have to choose, I would always rather be respected than liked. The law and the facts of your case dictate the appropriate outcome. You need an attorney that understands both. If they happen to be local, then that’s just an added benefit. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I answer the potential client's questions and explain the legal process. I also indicate what I would do in a case like theirs. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? I need to know the facts of the case (why do you or your loved one need me), the jurisdiction (what county or city), where the case is procedurally (just happened or about to start a jury trial). If the caller knows some but not all of this information, then I can still evaluate the case. However, the more information I have, the better I can assist the caller. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? There are many attorneys who can handle your case. Some will do a good job. Some will provide great customer service. Few will do both. Some will do neither. I will never speak poorly about other attorneys. However, I know that I can get you the best possible outcome. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding aspect of my job is catching an opposing witness in a lie. However, not all cases get to that point where I can have a Perry Mason moment in the courtroom. Resolving a case favorably without the theatrics of hearing can be almost as satisfying. I like to know that if I’m ever needed in the future, the client won’t hesitate to call me. What are your other interests in addition to law? I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active. Physical fitness, mental stamina, and emotional well-being go hand in hand. The practice of law is a marathon not a sprint, and I aim to be around for the fifty years. Are you involved in your community? I have recently moved to a new home in a new area, but I will become more involved in the coming years. Specifically, I plan to start coaching a mock trial team at the local high school.

Attorney Putnam C. Smith represents Main Street business owners and executives, professionals of all types and local, regional and national real estate investors, developers and operators, concentrating on business and commercial real estate transactions and tax and estate planning. Common transactions include start-ups, acquisitions and sales of closely held business, tax-free mergers and reorganizations, asset purchases, leveraged buyouts and joint ventures and partnerships in a wide range of industries. He has practiced corporate law in Atlanta and the surrounding metropolitan area since 1988, initially with Nall & Miller, LLP and later with Robert W. Fisher, P.C., a tax boutique that was instrumental in the creation of Nextel and a number of international ventures in the telecommunications industry before disbanding in 1994. Before attending law school, he incorporated Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign and worked as a legal assistant with other leading Atlanta law firms, including King & Spalding, LLP and Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, gaining invaluable experience with public corporations and investment banks. During his tenure with Lipscomb, Johnson, Sleister, Dailey & Smith, LLP, Mr. Smith has handled private equity investments in shopping centers and industrial and commercial property in several southeastern states, land assemblages requiring services ranging from quiet title actions to road closures and a $116 million buyout to resolve a shareholder’s dispute involving a closely held technology business.

Free Consultations. No Fees Unless You Win. At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we are dedicated Cumming personal injury attorneys committed to securing justice and compensation for accident victims across Georgia. With decades of experience, we specialize in cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and more. Our compassionate legal team works tirelessly to protect your rights and hold negligent parties accountable. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll of an injury and strive to provide personalized, results-driven representation. Let us help you navigate your legal challenges with confidence. We have offices in Atlanta, Cumming, Fayetteville, Alpharetta, and Carrollton. Atlanta attorney Jon Brockman provides quality legal representation for individuals who have been injured in an auto or truck accident. We also specialize in premises liability. As trial lawyers, we fully prepare to take your case to trial if necessary. Contact our Cumming, Georgia law firm or call 770-205-8887.

Andrea M. Johnson was born in the metro-Atlanta area. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Political Science from Columbus State University and later attended Mercer University School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate. Since graduating from law school, Attorney Johnson has been practicing in the area of family law. She has tried divorce and modification actions all over the metropolitan Atlanta area as well as around the entire state of Georgia . While she is no stranger to the courtroom, Attorney Johnson represents each client individually and has had great success in settling cases outside of the courtroom to the satisfaction of many clients. Over the recent years, Ms. Johnson has also been appointed in several counties to serve as a guardian ad litem in highly contested custody matters. She finds serving the best interests of a child to be very fulfilling both professionally and personally. Additionally, Ms. Johnson is an appointed Child Advocate Lawyer for the Jackson County Juvenile Court and regularly serves the children of that county who have been remove from their homes and need their voices to be heard. Additionally, Ms. Johnson's estate planning practice is designed to help clients customize their estate plans according to individual needs. Whether that includes preserving a child's inheritance after a divorce or ensuring that your healthcare wishes are met, Ms. Johnson recognizes that estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all practice and she focuses on individualization for each client based on their needs. Finally, if you have been in a car accident and want an honest, yet aggressive lawyer, Ms. Johnson can help you! Her first job in the legal field was during her law school years when she clerked for an insurance defense firm. She quickly became familiar with excuses and loop holes used by insurance companies to avoid payment. Following graduation from law school, she went to work for a small firm with a personal injury practice. Her knowledge of insurance defense was of great value to the firm as she transitioned to Plaintiff's work. Ms. Johnson's personal injury work is focused on motor vehicle accidents. Ms. Johnson has worked in small boutique firms and she served for over eight years with a large international firm. Over the years, she has come to learn that it is not the size of the firm, but the quality of representation that counts. That is why she focuses to make her clients her number one priority!! Attorney Johnson has been appointed to serve as a mentor for new attorneys through the Georgia State Bar Association. Attorney Johnson focuses on ethical representation and is committed to honesty and integrity with each client she represents. Ms. Johnson has office space in Lawrenceville, Cumming, and the Cobb Galleria area.

Stephen Suarino is an Immigration, Real Estate, Accident & Injury, Estate, and General Practice lawyer in Norcross, Georgia.

Margaret Washburn has a general trial practice that focuses primarily on complex and high asset domestic relations litigation, including divorce, modification of custody and child support and contempt actions. We also handle criminal defense, personal injury and auto accidents and civil trial litigation, as well as represent injured workers. We have developed our practice and client base through Margaret's reputation in the community and through involvement in the State Bar of Georgia committees, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Lawrenceville Kiwanis Club, and other civic organizations. Margaret is the editor of the Gwinnett County Bar Association Newsletter, and the newsletter for the Council for Municipal Court Judges. This has led to referrals of clients over the years from other attorneys in both Gwinnett County and around the State.

Byron has been practicing criminal defense and family law for over 28 years. Look at his website at www.byronthelawyer.com. Byron constantly has clients referred to him. He is a skilled lawyer and he has great judgment. Byron is well-liked and well-respected in the legal community. Potential clients would be honored to have him represent them if they were in need of his services.

James Clifton is the founding member of The Clifton Law Firm, LLC and oversees the firm's multi-state practice. During the course of his career, James has focused primarily on real property, bankruptcy, wills, trusts, and estates, car accidents and slip and fall cases. Additionally, he possesses vast experience in suits to quiet title, real property and commercial lending transactions, comprehensive contract formation, title insurance claims, will drafting, estate planning, and probate litigation. On the weekends, James enjoys donating his time to the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation's Saturday Lawyer Program where he represents indigent clients on a pro bono basis. In addition, he represented Fayette County in the Georgia Attorney General’s state wide food drive, The Legal Food Frenzy. In the past, he has served as an elected member of the Executive Council of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division and is a graduate of the prestigious Young Lawyer Leadership Academy. James is also a past president of the Fayette County Bar Association. James is a member of the American Bar Association and its Real Property, Trust, and Estate Section. He is also an active member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia and its Real Property Law Section, Bankruptcy Section, and Creditor's Rights Section; the Florida Bar and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; the State Bar of California and its Real Property Law Section; the State Bar of Texas and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; and the District of Columbia Bar and its Real Property Law Section. In addition to the state licensures, James is licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, and the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. On May 14, 2012, James was sworn into the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Romero Pearson is a practicing attorney in Lawrenceville, GA. His specialties include civil litigation, which includes personal injury and medical malpractice Mr. Pearson graduated from Historic Fisk University in Nashville, TN and he earned his J.D. from Marshall Law School. An active participant in the annual Gwinnett County Mock Trial, a county event for high school students. Mr. Pearson also does pro bono work with Gwinnett County Legal Aid for individuals who cannot afford representation. On the National level via the American Association for Justice, Mr. Pearson works with the End Distracted Driving Campaign, a movement which educates teen drivers on the dangers of texting and cellphone use while driving. At Decatur High School, Mr. Pearson sponsored an indigent student's participation in a school field trip to Washington, DC to visit the White House, which is an annual trip sponsored by the Close-up Club, a group started by Chris Billingsley, a teacher at Decatur High School. Recently, Mr. Pearson Implemented "The Christian Way Academy Booker T. Pearson Scholarship Award," an educational scholarship fund at the Christian Way Academy in Manchester, GA.

Attorney Chalcia Rainford is a native of Jamaica, West Indies, who has practiced law since 1994. Mrs. Rainford earned her J.D. from John Marshall Law School of Atlanta, Georgia. She also studied in London, England at the Lay Cox College and is a professional registered nurse. Her success does not stop there; Attorney Rainford owns Eccentral, Inc., which is a professional nursing employment agency. She is known for being very intellectual and detail oriented.