Neil Wilkinson | Dunwoody Business Lawyer

• Member | Georgia State Bar Association

• Summa Cum Laude Atlanta Law School
  1992

One of the nice, and rewarding, aspects to this profession is the opportunity to positively impact a person's life, even if it's only for a very short time. In the Spring of last year, a young woman came into the office around 10:00 a.m. with the following problem: Her partner, who was 8½ months into a high risk pregnancy, had been arrested and taken to jail on a probation revocation action. A probationer incarcerated under such an action cannot be bonded out and usually has to stay in jail until a hearing is held, often the better part of a month in the future. Once I had gotten the basic information from my client's partner, I headed for the jail. One of the pieces of information I obtained was that my client had been taken to a local hospital, but had since been treated and returned to the adult detention center, a rather banal euphemism for jail. I met with the young woman, who was about as pregnant as a person could be, for a little over an hour, got the information I needed, and returned to the office to write a motion for her immediate release. In the motion was every reason I could think of, including habeas corpus, that my client should be released. Because the office is just a couple of blocks from the courthouse, I walked the motion over, filed it, and took a courtesy copy to the Judge's chambers. The Judge was at lunch, but her admin assured me that the Judge would see my motion. At 2:00 p.m., the admin called and told me the Judge granted the motion and my client would be released immediately after she faxed a copy of the Order to the jail. The whole enterprise was completed and my client released in six hours. Not a bad day's work.

Almost exclusively by referral. I believe the major reason it grew and did well was that I treat everyone, even those who are disagreeable or with whom I disagree, with respect. It is something that I learned observing my dad. I never saw him treat anyone disrespectfully, no matter the person's station in life. A second, and also very important reason, is that I take a genuine interest in my clients as human beings and in the matter with which he of she is confronted.

I treat everyone, even those who are disagreeable or with whom I disagree, with respect. It is something that I learned observing my dad. I never saw him treat anyone disrespectfully, no matter the person's station in life. A second, and also very important reason, is that I take a genuine interest in my clients as human beings and in the matter with which he or she is confronted.

It can help, but frankly, I don't see it as anywhere near as big a factor as some might believe. Often people want to retain an attorney who is "friends" with a particular judge or who knows everyone in the community where the case is being heard. My experience has been over nearly three decades of law practice in front of judges all over Georgia and in a number of other states that there really is no substitute for two things: respect and preparation. Courts are made of people, clerks, bailiffs, reporters, administrative assistants, staff attorneys, and judges, all of whom should be treated with respect. That goes much farther in my experience than any local knowledge. I have seen local attorneys dressed down by the Judge far more often than someone from another locale. The other key element is to know your case. Be able to awaken from a sound sleep at 3:00 a.m. and recite it chapter and verse. That carries the day far more often than who you play golf with.

An assessment of potential legal remedies, and idea of how much time I think it will take, possible solutions that might not require a lawyer, or if so, then ascertain if the potential client might be willing and able to do some things on his or her own.

A clear statement of the problem(s), the locale, the parties, and the disputes.

Compassion and experience, and a willingness to work with a client to keep fees down and yet solve the problem.

Having someone genuinely appreciate my effort and skill, and leaving a person in a better situation than when I found him or her.

Aviation, cooking, and I am a voracious reader.

Not as much as I would like, but candidly, I'm involved with my clients and my students. I teach law and ethics at a local university.