Cohutta Business Lawyers

Senior Attorney and Counselor at Law: (1986-2019)
W. Blake McCarty, Esq. dba The McCarty Law Practice
* Founded and operated successful law offices at the Equitable Building, Perimeter Center Terrace, and the Ravinia in Atlanta. Hired, trained, and managed personnel, vetted incoming engagements, developed case strategies, worked with expert witnesses, and handled all aspects of client engagements for over 1,000 clients.
* Provided AV-rated domestic and international tax, ERISA, entity governance, corporate-partnership-LLC business transaction planning, negotiating, regulatory compliance, and contract drafting, securities law, employment law compliance, and counsel to Boards, officers, directors,...

Daniela McCalla brings over 10 years of experience in the legal field. She received her Juris Doctor (JD) from Florida A & M University, College of Law in 2011. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History from GA Southern University. Upon graduation from law school, she was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 2011. Throughout her career, she has distinguished herself as a knowledgeable and dedicated attorney, representing clients in a variety of legal matters. Her areas of expertise include personal injury and business law. She is passionate about advocating for her clients' rights...

I am married with two children and five grandchildren. During my 46 years of experience in business and corporate law, estate planning and probate administration, it has been my objective to provide a combination of expertise, experience and close client relationships, resulting in personalized and innovative legal representation to clients in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Nick Booth joined O’Dell, O’Neal, Hungerford, & Blanchard in 2017, and works in a variety of different civil practice areas, including business and civil litigation disputes, construction law, personal injury, property law, estate planning, and small business formation and consultation. Nick is a native of Cobb County, a Double Dawg, and a proud member of the Gridiron Club. When Nick is not practicing law, he is an avid fly fisher, gardener, musician, golfer, and outdoorsman.

Ms. Hughes is a Partner in the Firm’s General and Business Litigation practice groups. Prior to joining Evins Oliver Hughes, LLC, Ms. Hughes worked for several Atlanta-area law firms where she specialized in representing both plaintiffs and defendants in business disputes and professional liability claims. Ms. Hughes also has experience representing clients in probate, intellectual property, real estate and commercial litigation.

In addition to her courtroom experience, Ms. Hughes frequently serves as a presiding judge in undergraduate mock trial competitions.

Ms. Hughes received her Juris Doctor from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, where she served as President...

Matthew P. “Matt” Collins has spent over 25 years helping individual and small businesses that face varied legal challenges.

As an undergraduate from the University of Georgia, Mr. Collins graduated with a business degree and thus understood early the importance of sound business decisions.

Law school was the next challenge where Mr. Collins hoped to use his business experience to help clients with legal needs. Mr. Collins attended law school at the Atlanta Law School where he graduated with honors and immediately went to work helping small businesses and individuals with their legal needs. Twenty-five years later, Matt is still working to...

Jamie Hernan has spent his career representing thousands of individuals and companies, helping them face complex legal issues head on, offering solutions and providing results. His career has taken him from a large, internationally renowned firm to building from scratch with two partners a firm into a strong medium sized firm that is the dominant player in its niche market to where he is today as a solo practitioner, finally able to focus purely on the practice of law without all of the distractions that come from managing a larger firm. Jamie is able to focus on you, his client,...

A graduate of Howard University, Boston College and Emory Law School, Karen began her law career in 1990 as Clerk to Justice Carol Hunstein where she served for more than two years before becoming a Public Defender for Dekalb County and then moving on to the Atlanta Solicitors Office. Karen founded her law practice in 1994 while a Cobb County Magistrate, where she served for five years. Karen brings broad experience and depth of understanding to her client’s cause. She is a frequent speaker on family law issues within the legal community, guiding other family law attorneys to becoming more...

We provide legal services in the areas of Business and Corporate law, Estate Planning and Probate, Tax, Real Estate, and Trademarks..

Diane Baker is an AV-Rated Estate Planning and Business Law attorney. She has over 30 years experience practicing law in Atlanta.

She enjoys working with families to develop personalized Wills, Trusts and estate plans, based on each individual's personal goals. She also helps clients through the complexities of Probate, and the challenges of Will Contests and Estate Disputes. Her goal is to address each client’s personal objectives, while making the legal process understandable.

Diane's other major area of practice is business law, which she has practiced for over 30 years. Her work in this area includes general corporate law, limited liability...

Whether counseling business owners on everyday management issues or litigating complex cases, Michelle is passionate about representing employers and employees in Georgia. She has extensive experience assisting individuals and businesses with issues unique to the employment law field, including litigating wage and hour disputes, wrongful termination, retaliation, non-compete agreements, and violations of the ADA, FMLA, ADEA, and Title VII in state, federal, and administrative forums. Additionally, Michelle has helped businesses navigate the legal landscape of these complex employment laws via management training and counseling on HR best practices. Having represented both employees and employers, Michelle has unique insight with respect...

Bar Admissions - State Bar of Georgia - State Court of Georgia - Federal U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia - Federal U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia Areas of Practice - Divorce and Family Law - Bankruptcy: Personal and Business - Business Law - Immigration

Business litigation attorney with over 23 years of experience providing goal oriented and cost effective represenation in state and federal courts for small and large sized businesses. Practice areas include business litigation, insurance coverage, employment, construction, real estate, landlord/tenant, debtor/creditor, and shareholder/partnership disputes. Practicing in Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Cumming, Canton and throughout the metro Atlanta area, including Fulton, Forsyth, Cherokee, Gwinnett, Cobb and DeKalb Counties. LinkedIn information at http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgialawyer.

David provides high quality, experienced, professional and personal legal services to individuals and small business. In order to devote the utmost attention to each clients, David accepts a limited number of cases focusing on individual serious personal injury, negligence, contract disputes, covenants not to compete, insurance claims, alternative dispute resolution and civil appeals.

Mr. Haskin was selected as Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association top 100 and has been named an AV Preeminent Lawyer through Martindale-Hubbell's peer review rating system. Haskin's practice focuses on a select number of business client matters including advising on and litigating various contract and employment matters. He also maintains an active civil litigation practice which includes personal injury matters. For example, they recently obtained a seven figure settlement in a serious automobile accident. Mr. Haskin is licensed to Practice Law in the State...

Jay is passionate about representing his clients' best interests. He is strategic and stern, yet, considerate. With his extensive background in litigation, he is well versed in understanding how and why various issues in commercial transactions affect his clients.

"I enjoy working with each one of my clients to ensure they are fully aware of how each contract may impact their business and their livelihood, while also firmly protecting my clients from unnecessary risk or unreasonable circumstances."

Areas of Focus:
Practice Transactions
Construction Disputes
Business and Civil Litigation

Jay received his Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia University. In 2009, he...

John Alexander has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 2001. He has been a civil litigator for over 20 years. John is active in all areas of the firm’s practice and appears in all trial and appellate courts throughout the State, focusing on surety and construction litigation. John is also proficient in corporate formation, lien law, probate matters and estate planning, including wills, trusts, healthcare directives, guardianships, and all types of power of attorney. John has extensive experience in meeting his clients’ needs. John received his undergraduate degree from Georgia State University in...

David L. Selby has practiced law in government agencies and private firms since first interning with the Monroe County District Attorney's office in Rochester, NY. Upon graduating from Case Western University School of Law, David interned with the Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia. There, he worked on legal cases presented by various Justices and Judges from each State court level as well as from State government employees. Additionally, he participated in judicial committees alongside Justices of the GA Supreme Court. David predominantly focuses on representing plaintiffs in employment and labor law issues. David has multiple years of...

Claire Mattson joined Fox+Mattson, P.C. in 1996. Claire develops and implements tax planning and other strategies for individual and business clients, including the coordination of all estate planning and transactional documents. She also handles probate and estate work. Claire graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. degree in International Studies, Soviet Studies and History. She was also named to Phi Beta Kappa while at South Carolina. Claire earned her law degree at Emory University where she was active in the Moot Court Society and coached Emory’s team to a win in the National Moot Court Championship. Claire...

Chip Gaskill has spent his entire career practicing law in the Metro Atlanta area. He is dedicated to exhibiting professionalism and high ethical standards with a view toward creating a relationship of confidence and trust with his clients. He is an experienced attorney focused on results. His personal interests include marathons, enjoying high school and college football and being a devoted husband and father to two teenage girls.

Villard Bastien, licensed in Georgia, New York and New Jersey, has been a Litigation Attorney for more than sixteen years. He was first exposed to the practice of law at the District Attorney's Office in Queens New York. Prior to actively practicing law he worked on the claims side of the insurance industry for three years. He continued to practice for various insurance carriers and various defense firms as an Attorney. The past seven years have been mainly dedicated to the representation of individuals seriously injured as a result of the negligence of others. He also represents individuals for...

Mr. Fuller is the managing partner of the firm and oversees the litigation practice. He has been involved in hundreds of large cases and appeals. He ensures that the business-like and hands-on approach used in the business practice is continued in the litigation practice. Mr. Fuller has extensive trial experience with tremendous results in jury verdicts and substantial settlements for both Plaintiffs and Defendants. He has attended numerous hands on seminars conducted by the best trial attorneys in the country.

Historical: Managing Partner at Fuller Sloan LLC from 2019-Present, Local Managing Partner at CKR Law L.L.P. from 2014-2019, Davidson, Fuller...

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...

As an Associate Attorney with Williams Teusink based in Decatur, GA, Caela Abrams focuses her practice on real estate transactions, real estate litigation, and business law. Caela's expertise includes representing buyers and sellers in commercial real estate transactions, complex real estate litigation, and corporate formation. After receiving her Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Ethics from Emory University in Atlanta, Caela earned her Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law and graduated with a Certificate in Environmental Law and Land Use. Among her accomplishments, Caela was a 2018-19 Urban Fellow with the College of...

Gerry Balboni is an experienced deal lawyer representing growth companies, investors, and buyers and sellers of growth companies. He has distinctive expertise in venture capital, private equity, acquisitions, and licensing and distribution of technology and software. Gerry brings a results-oriented approach to every engagement. He knows what works and what doesn't. Gerry graduated from the University of South Florida in 1975 with a B.A. in English, from the Graduate School of Business of Stetson University in 1977 with an MBA, and from the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama in 1984 with a J.D., cum laude....

Jess Johnson is one of the best young lawyers in Georgia. He has been recognized as a “Rising Star” in criminal defense and civil litigation by Super Lawyers Magazine for the past several years. While only 2.5% of lawyers in Georgia under the age of 40 receive such an honor, Jess was first named to this list after only 3 years of practice.

Jess has been instrumental in our firm’s success in both trials and appeals. In his very first trial, Jess was awarded an Acquittal Award from the Federal Defender Program for helping our firm win a “not guilty” verdict...

Andrew Beal earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. For over 25 years, Drew has represented individuals and businesses in state and federal courts all across the Southeast. He primarily focuses on commercial claims, such as shareholder disputes and those involving professional negligence. Drew began his own practice in order to provide high-quality, personalized business representation and litigation services to commercial clients. Ed is also proud to serve those who need help resolving workers’ compensation claims and insurance benefit disputes. He is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the highest honors an attorney can receive.

Our clients are innovative 7 and 8 figure companies with national and global reach. They create brands, license software, and distribute content to Fortune 500 enterprises, governmental agencies and strategic partners. The diverse industries we serve include technology, food and beverages, manufacturing, healthcare, finance, consulting and professional services.

We align with middle market business leaders who value agile, responsive legal collaboration, and profit-focused guidance. Many clients are founders, families and friends who've grown their privately held businesses through savvy acumen and faithful perseverance. We commit to your success, and build longstanding relationships as trusted advisors.

Ashley McCartney, LLC is a law firm in Atlanta, GA focusing on family law, business and civil litigation.