As a partner in one of the largest law firms in North Georgia, Rustin defended insurance companies and large businesses before co-founding Smith Hulsey. He has handled cases in both federal and state courts, appearing in U.S. District Courts and counties throughout Georgia. He has argued before the Supreme Court of Georgia, and litigated appeals in the Georgia Court of Appeals and U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Rustin graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia before attending Emory University School of Law, where he was selected for the Dean’s List, received the Dean’s Award, and was recommended for the Kesler-Eidson Trial Techniques Scholarship. Rustin has served on multiple Hall County nonprofit boards, was elected Gainesville Jaycee of the Year in 2011, and was a member of the 2015 State Bar Young Lawyer’s Leadership Academy. Since 2018, other Georgia attorneys have elected Rustin as a “Rising Star” as featured in Super Lawyers magazine.

Kim T. Stephens ranks as one of the most accomplished trial lawyers and attorneys in the state of Georgia. With more than twenty-two years of experience in litigation, Kim has successfully resolved numerous high profile cases, defending professional and college athletes, doctors, police officers, and teachers charged with crimes ranging from misdemeanors to serious felony crimes. Kim has extensive experience in the areas of criminal law, personal injury, business and contract litigation, and probate law in the Athens area and around the State of Georgia. He practices in all courts including federal courts, superior and state courts, local municipal courts, probate courts, recorders courts, UGA student hearings, administrative hearings, and appellate courts. Kim represents individuals charged with misdemeanor crimes, including DUI; felony crimes, including drug charges, sexual offenses, family violence crimes, burglary, theft, and murder; and federal crimes throughout Georgia, providing an aggressive defense for his clients and consistently achieving optimal results for the people he represents. Kim is recognized both locally and nationally for his professionalism and skills as a litigator. He has earned the rank of 10.0, i.e. "superb," on avvo.com, achieving the highest possible score on the ten point scale that Avvo uses to grade attorneys. Avvo, the world’s largest online database committed to reviewing and ranking attorneys, awards the 10.0 ranking to less than 1% of attorneys nationally, placing Kim in the top percentage of attorneys in the United States. Martindale Hubbell, an attorney peer review database, has recognized Kim as “distinguished counsel,” which is a widely respected mark of achievement, differentiating a lawyer from his or her competition and reflecting a high level of respect in the legal community. More locally, the Athens Banner Herald named Kim as the people’s choice attorney for litigation in both 2013 and 2014. The Reader’s Choice Awards are based on votes from citizens in the Athens area and reflect Kim’s stellar reputation as a DUI and criminal defense attorney in the local community. Kim has provided expert legal commentary and/or given interviews to both regional and national news media, including: the Athens Banner Herald, the Red and Black, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, ABC news, Fox news, ESPN, CBS news, and many other local and national news organizations.

Bruce is a native of Brooklyn New York. After graduating Howard University school of Law in 2009, Bruce decided to continue his purpose to serve as a social engineer. Bruce fell in love with law because of the opportunity to serve, motivate and to improve the community. His love for people coupled with his desire to be great and gift of passionate advocacy allow Bruce to stand out amongst other distinguished attorneys. Since 2010 Bruce Hawkins, Jr. has maintained a reputation as an attorney you can trust. Bruce is the managing attorney of Hawkins Law, LLC, located in Gwinnett County, Georgia. This general practice law firm offers clients representation in the areas of DUI and criminal defense, personal injury, family law and estate planning. Through passionate advocacy and honest communication, Hawkins Law, LLC turns clients into family once case at a time.

Dolly Fairclough has been licensed to practice law in Georgia for 17 years. Graduated from John Marshall in Atlanta.

Joshua W. Branch focuses on personal injury trial work. He has been representing clients in the Athens and Atlanta area for 18 years. Josh’s interest in law began at the early age of 16 when he began working in a law firm as a high school student. Attending depositions and being inundated with the legal profession at an early age and with an inherent ability to argue succinctly, it was known by many that Josh would become a lawyer from an early age. Growing up around medical doctors has also proved advantageous for Josh in his legal practice, in that he has learned and become familiar with a person’s physiology, which is continually being applied to his practice of personal injury law in Athens. He attended undergraduate school at the University of Georgia and went to law school at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida. Josh began his legal career in Pensacola, Florida working at an insurance defense firm, though his passion was always to help individuals rather than corporations. After enduring Hurricane Ivan, he was forced to move from Pensacola and eventually relocated to Athens, Georgia where he is devoted exclusively to pursuing justice for plaintiffs. Dedication to the injured individual’s plight remains his devoted pursuit.

Doug Lenhardt concentrates his practice in the areas of Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy, and Personal Injury. Since 2002, Doug has served the Athens community developing a reputation as a ammenable yet agressive attorney who will zealously fight for his clients. Born in Atlanta, Doug grew up in Gwinnett County prior to attending the University of Georgia and the UGA School of Law. Doug maintains a network of contacts thoughout the state and practices across North Georgia in addition to the Athens area. A member of the Georgia Bar, Doug is also licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and The United States District Courts for the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia. Doug has also been admitted pro hac vice in the Northern District of Ohio. Doug has successfully represented hundreds of clients in criminal matters including DUI, Drug Possession, Drug Sales/Distribution and Drug Trafficking; Family/Domestic Violence, Assault, Battery, Theft, Robbery, Burglary, Kidnapping and False Imprisonment; as well as less serious offenses such as Underage Possession of Alcohol, Shoplifting, and traffic/license violations. Doug has also guided hundreds of clients though the bankruptcy process and has won millions of dollars in settlements and judgments of both injured and deceased persons and their families including a judgment for over $3.5M in a wrongful death case.

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.