Newton Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Attorney Elizabeth Brandenburg has a unique perspective in defending her clients. For over six years, she has worked with a variety of clients from juveniles to adults accused of a variety of crimes from property crimes to violent offenses. Thanks to her extensive preparation and negotiations with district attorneys she has been successful in getting felony charges for both adults and juveniles charges dismissed.

Elizabeth has also successfully appealed cases in both state and federal courts from sentencing and trial issues to forfeitures. She has also been successful in habeas corpus, a unique kind of law where success is sometimes rare.

Due...

Julian A. Fortuna is a at Partner Greenspoon Marder LLP where he practices business and tax law with a focus on tax planning and representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and various other tax authorities. He also handles estate and trust tax matters. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Fortuna was Vice President and General Tax Counsel for InterContinental Hotels Group ("IHG"). During his eleven year tenure at IHG, Mr. Fortuna managed a team of tax professionals responsible for structuring the domestic and international tax impacts of numerous mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and other corporate transactions, as...

Tracy S. Reeves, Jr. graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Criminal Justice and Political Science. He then graduated from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2010 after taking a year off to work at Hawkins, Parnell & Young, LLC in the Asbestos and Products Liability Litigation Divisions.

Tracy began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Coweta Judicial Circuit. There he helped in establishing the Gang Intelligence Network as well as training prosecutors and law enforcement officers in investigating and prosecuting gang cases. Tracy was also the head of...

Tom joined Pate & Johnson in 2017 after graduating with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law.

While in law school, Tom honed his trial advocacy skills competing as a member of the moot court and mock trial teams. He also earned awards for achieving the highest marks in his Torts and Constitutional Law classes.

In his last year of school, Tom served as a research assistant to Professors Dan T. Coenen and Michael Wells, where his work focused on constitutional law, the early history of the U.S. Constitution, and civil rights litigation. Tom was also one of a few...

Edward D. Buckley is one of the founding partners of Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP. Ed was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, by parents who raised him to make a difference for the better. Ed understands the hardships that working people face and has built his law practice championing their cause, focusing his practice on civil rights and employment discrimination cases. He has represented people from virtually every walk of life, including hotel laundry workers, truckers, secretaries, food industry workers, technicians, salespeople, teachers, professors, stockbrokers, CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, longshoremen, doctors and lawyers. He has represented numerous executives in everything...

Amanda Gaddis Speights represents clients in divorce or family law matters, criminal matters, appeals, and other civil litigation. In family law matters, Amanda has guided and counseled clients in settling uncontested divorces, fought for clients' rights in contested divorces and child custody or child support proceedings, and ensured that clients resolved their family disputes with the best resolution possible for their family given the situation. In addition to her work on family law cases, Amanda has represented clients arrested for various crimes, including DUI, felony and misdemeanor drug offenses, theft crimes, assault or battery charges. Amanda is very...

Special Master, State of Georgia, 1987-1995 by annual appointment of Governor. Recipient, Younger Federal Lawyer Award, Atlanta Chapter, Federal Bar Association, 1972. President, Walter F. George School of Law Alumni Association, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia, 1976-1977. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Georgia, 1966-1974. Legal counsel of record in over 100 state, federal, and military cases reported by legal publishers. Admitted to practice in U. S. Supreme Court, 1965; U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, 1966; United District Court of the Northern District of Georgia, 1966; U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 1981; U. S....

The Brody Law Firm is a boutique criminal defense firm with a special focus on the defense of sex offense allegations. Bernard has been recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine, Atlanta Magazine’s Super Lawyers, the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, for his work in the courtroom and his tireless work ethic that has led to countless dismissals of cases prior to trial.

Bernard is a frequent speaker at Georgia trial lawyers seminars on topics involving Sex Offense Allegations, Computer Forensics, Appellate Advocacy and Federal Asset Forfeiture. He has handled a number of high profile...

Nathaniel M. Smith is a born again Christian and a member of Salem Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. Nathaniel is admitted to practice before the Georgia Supreme Court, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate and Magistrate courts of Georgia. Nathaniel became a member of the Georgia Bar Association in 2009. He became a member of the Henry County Bar Association in 2010. He became a member of CLS (Christian Legal Society, www.clsnet.org) and Christianlawyers.com in 2009. Nathaniel graduated in 2009 from Washington and Lee University School of Law. While pursuing his law degree, he...

Lisa’s client-centered law practice includes advice, counseling, and litigation in all aspects of labor and employment law as well as general business law advice, document drafting and litigation of business disputes. She also utilizes her expertise in legal research and writing and knowledge of the appellate process to provide top-notch representation in civil appeals in both state and federal courts. Most recently, Lisa became registered through the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution as a mediator and arbitrator, and she brings her wide range of legal experience and her ability to see and understand all sides of a dispute to assist...

In 2011, Jim McKenzie was honored by Martindale Hubbell/Lawyers.com for having maintained an “AV” rating for highest or “pre-eminent” legal skills and ethical standards for thirty consecutive years (1980-2010). He continues to achieve that consistent “AV” rating. The significance of the “AV” Rating by Martindale.com and Lawyers.com is described as follows: “The AV preeminent [rating] is a significant rating accomplishment- a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.” www.martindale.com/products-services-peer-review-rating. (Martindale-Hubbell and Lawyers.com are the national legal locator and ranking service). Atlanta native and a Gwinnett...

Born and raised in Macon, I am a lifelong member of the Middle Georgia community where I live with my wife and family. After attending Mckibben Lane Elementary School, I graduated as valedictorian from Tattnall Square Academy. I then attended Furman University and graduated in 1983 with a double major in History and Political Science. In 1986, I graduated from The University of Georgia School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia that same year. To the practice of law, I bring the values of hard work, fair play and respect for others that I learned...

From the day I started working in the field until today, I have learned the practice of criminal and appellate law from some of the finest attorneys in the country. I respect my clients and their families above all else and am keenly sympathetic to the fact that, when most of them come to me, they have already been through the difficult and emotionally wrenching process that is a criminal trial, only to lose and find themselves or somone they love very much subject to a long term in prison. I never promise anything to my clients other than the...

Partner David Messer brings a dynamic courtroom presence and significant trial experience to the firm, which he joined in 2007. As a trial lawyer in Oklahoma for six years, David achieved both legally and socially significant appeals and courtroom victories. His current trial practice focuses on a full spectrum of business law, with an emphasis on all phases of business litigation and dispute resolution, including trials, appeals, mediation, and arbitration. David has been successful in oil and gas litigation, construction and engineering disputes, homeowners' association disputes, election disputes, and business disputes of all kinds, including high net-worth matters involving family-owned...

Education:
Pace Academy 1979
Duke University 1983 (with junior year at University of Freiburg im Breisgau, West Germany)
University of Georgia School of Law 1986

Career:
Ferrier & Associates 1986 to 1996
Law Office of Vincent D. Sowerby, P.C. since 1996.

General civil trial practice. All types of civil litigation.

Robert Speer, The Magic Lawyer®, was born in Atlanta GA, and has been a resident of Georgia all of his life. He has been a trial lawyer for almost 22 years. He handles cases in the areas of DUI/DWI, Criminal Law, Juvenile Law, Divorce, and Injury cases. His office is in Woodstock GA, but he also handles cases in Canton GA, Atlanta GA, Marietta GA, Cumming GA, Lawrenceviille GA, Decatur GA, Sandy Springs GA, Roswell GA, Alpharetta GA, and all over Georgia. Call (770) 517-0017 today for fantastic legal representation!

After defending insurance companies for over ten years, Laura ("Laurie") Vickery Benesh formed Vickery Benesh Law, P.C. to assist victims and their families who have experienced personal injury or wrongful death as a result of automobile accidents, slip and fall, and premises liability. She also assists businesses in disputes resulting from breach of agreements and other matters. Laurie earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Emory University and is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell. She has successfully argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and throughout Georgia’s state courts. She serves on the Board...

I enjoy practicing law at The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC with my oldest son in Augusta and Martinez, Georgia. We deal with divorce cases, personal injury, criminal defense and other litigation on a daily basis. As a former federal prosecutor in Augusta, Georgia for over 20 years, I have tried some of the largest fraud and public corruption cases in Georgia and U.S. history.

Bryan Henderson is not just a tenacious litigator and appellate attorney, but a dedicated advocate for justice and a committed partner in his clients' success. With over a decade of experience handling complex fraud and civil RICO cases, he brings a unique perspective and unwavering determination to every legal battle, ensuring his clients' interests are always at the forefront. Having served as both a Federal and State Prosecutor and Public Defender, Bryan comprehensively understands the legal system. He approaches each case with the same level of intensity and strategic thinking that he honed during his time prosecuting gang and cartel cases. What...

Alex Susor is the founder of the Law Offices of Alex Susor in Decatur, Georgia. His practice consists of state and federal criminal defense, post-conviction criminal appeals, petitions for habeas corpus relief, plaintiff’s personal injury claims, and representation of K-12 public school teachers in Georgia Teacher Fair Dismissal Act and Professional Standards Commission administrative hearings. Alex was a co-recipient of the 2009 Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers "Case of the Year" Award for his successful appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court of the state’s kidnapping statute and has been invited to testify as an expert before the Georgia Senate and...

Attorney Akil Kenneth Secret is a licensed attorney in the States of Georgia and Nebraska. His practice focuses on Serious Personal Injury Litigation, Wrongful Death Litigation and Major Criminal Defense. Mr. Secret has represented defendants in numerous high profile state and federal cases. He has tried hundreds of cases with extraordinary success. Mr. Secret has represented Lawyers, Doctors, Accountants, Real Estate Brokers and Agents and Corporate Executives. Attorney Akil Secret attended University of Nebraska and transferred to attend Morehouse College where he pursued his undergraduate studies until 1973 with a major in Political Science. He attended Atlanta Law School and earned...

Joann Brown Williams has been litigating for well over a decade. Joann’s “bread-and-butter” is business litigation, including breach of contract, corporate governance, trade secret, non-compete and non-solicit covenants, employment related disputes in the areas of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Her “chocolate,” however, are claims dealing with First Amendment and defamation. Joann has tried cases throughout Northeast Georgia in both State and Federal Courts and has practiced in State and Federal Courts throughout the country. Joann has been involved in several high profile cases that have been written about in The Los Angeles Times, The National Law...

Brian is the supervising partner for HMT's criminal law practice. Brian has significant experience in all aspects of criminal law.

Brian is one of a handful of attorneys in the Nation to hold a Masters of Law (LLM) in Federal Criminal Practice and Procedure.

Brian has experience from every angle in the courtroom. A few of the positions he has held throughout his career include:

Judicial Law Clerk to Five Superior Court Judges (serving eight counties in Georgia)
Special Assistant United States Attorney
Senior Prosecutor for Parris Island and Marine Corps Eastern Recruiting Region
Deputy Director of Marine Corps Trial Counsel Assistance Program
Appellate Defense Attorney
Additionally, Brian...

Jonathan Marcus Woods is a board certified Attorney with years of experience in trial and appellate law. He is a native of New York City, graduated from Princeton University and the Florida State University College of Law. Before entering law school, Jon enjoyed a successful first career as a local government official in South Florida and then as a political consultant. After law school, Jon served as an electronic discovery consultant to Fortune 500 companies. Before joining Hunker Appeals, Jon distinguished himself as a trial attorney in the state courts of Georgia with a focus on business litigation, residential and commercial...

Jon Schwartz has environmental litigation experience in state and federal courts. He has represented clients on matters involving the Clean Water Act, storm water runoff, protection of wildlife and habitat, land use, historic preservation, and injuries caused by exposure to toxic substances. Jon was selected to the Georgia Super Lawyers list and Atlanta Magazine recognized him as a “rising star” in environmental litigation.

Charles R. Beans is a partner in the Atlanta office of Goodman McGuffey Lindsey & Johnson, LLP who defends corporations in general, product liability, toxic tort and appellate litigation. He also speaks on, and has published in these areas. Charles has been named to "Georgia Super Lawyers" by Atlanta Magazine(2004-present). Charles became a member of the State Bar of Georgia in 1988. He is also a member of the American Bar Association (has co-chaired: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Warnings, and Membership Subcommittees), the Defense Research Institute, the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, ...