Cherokee County Criminal Lawyers

Melanie is a results-driven DUI and criminal defense attorney. Her unique experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney and judicial candidate have provided her the knowledge and insight to contest her clients’ cases aggressively.
While in private practice, she is honored to have been recognized by her peers as a Super Lawyers’ Rising Star, one of the legal profession’s top achievements. By anonymous votes of Georgia lawyers, she was recognized for her legal work in the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 editions of Georgia Super Lawyers magazine. The Rising Star award is reserved for attorneys under the...

I specialize in criminal defense. I have never practiced any other type of law and, honestly, I don’t think I ever will. My mom always tells me that ever since I was young, I hated seeing anyone being picked on and I would immediately jump to their defense. My disdain for bullies has turned into my passion for protecting people’s rights and fighting for justice. Regardless of guilt or innocence, in my opinion, each person deserves to be treated with decency and respect. Nothing is more upsetting to me than watching prosecutors take advantage of vulnerable people. Which is why...

I am a pure criminal defense attorney and I take great pride in that fact. Even before law school, my goal was to become one of the best criminal defense attorneys of my time. I realized that goal was achievable the very first time I stepped into a courtroom because advocating for my client gave me a true sense of purpose. Since then, my passion for helping people and defending them against the government continues to grow every day. To me, standing up for a person, who is being prosecuted by the government, is the most honorable act. I truly...

Norman D. McKellar practices law in the areas of IRS tax resolution and federal criminal defense, with an emphasis on tax fraud and white collar federal crimes. Mr. McKellar has successfully defended clients in criminal cases in both federal and state courts and in U.S. Tax Court. Mr. McKellar was voted by his peers as a “Top Attorney” for 8 straight years by Knoxville’s CityView magazine. In 2014, Mr. McKellar was selected as a member of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” by the National Trial Lawyers, and he also received this same award in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and...

My training as both a prosecutor and defense attorney gives me the ability to know what the other side is thinking and better defend DUI cases. Working for my family law firm familiarized me with civil law but making a foray into criminal law with the City of Atlanta Municipal Court led to my true passion in criminal law specifically DUI, drug and traffic cases.

I have been invited by other county prosecutors to be a guest instructor for DUI instruction courses at both the Georgia Public Safety and Training Center and various county locations. I also had the opportunity...

As Diwan Law’s founder, Christopher J. Diwan has expertise in multiple areas of the law. He represents clients in cases involving Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Collection and Collection Defense, Criminal Defense, and other Litigation. Diwan Law, LLC. is a full-service law firm in Atlanta, GA that is dedicated to providing exceptional and personalized legal service to our clients. Diwan Law represents clients in cases involving civil rights law, traffic ticket defense, debt collection, premises liability, debt collection litigation defense, criminal defense, and more. EDUCATION J.D., Georgia State University College of Law, 2004 B.A., University of Georgia, 2001 JURISDICTIONS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE State Bar of Georgia,...

I was born in suburban Chicago, grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and attended Wake Forest University. After working for a large law firm while in college and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics, I attended Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta.

During law school, I interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. There, I was involved in the prosecution of federal drug, fraud, and white collar crime cases. I was also given the rare opportunity as an intern to make arguments and question witnesses in a mail fraud jury trial in which...

I have been honored and privileged to serve the citizens of Georgia for over twenty years as a criminal defense, civil litigation, divorce, custody and family law attorney. I have served as President of the North Fulton Bar Association, am a proud Fellow of the Paul Harris Foundation of Rotary International and am currently an active member of the National and Georgia Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section.

Raised in Cobb County. Graduated Marietta High School, Georgia Tech (BS in Applied Microbiology), and Michigan State University, College of Law. Prosecuted for Cobb Judicial Circuit 2004 to 2006. Phyllis founded Phyllis Law in 2006 and has remained the sole owner and operator. The firm mission is to broker second chances for people in crisis specializing in youthful offenders in school and in courts. Appointed Chief Judge in Smyrna Municipal Court in 2016 to Present. Associate Judge in Marietta Municipal Court and Roswell Municipal Court.

Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorney Glenn Stern learned how to practice law representing indigent clients for the Rockdale County Public Defender's Office - one of metro Atlanta's toughest places to be charged with a crime. In private practice, Glenn has continued to use that skill and training for decades, winning dismissals and reductions for his clients. A graduate of the Stetson University College of Law (nationally renowned for their trial advocacy program), Glenn gained valuable insight into how the "other side" works, trying cases for the Hillsborough County Florida District Attorney's Office as a third-year student. Call today...

Diana Whipkey Young is a lifelong resident of Marietta, where she has been passionately practicing law since 1983 and has earned the respect of judges and fellow attorneys. Ms. Young developed a solid foundation in the courtroom when she began her career as a prosecutor in the Cobb County Solicitor’s Office. During this time, she gained valuable insight into the courtroom process. Accordingly, Ms. Young’s ability to offer a prosecutor’s perspective compliments her legal knowledge and enhances her understanding of criminal law and how to effectively advocate on her client’s behalf. Diana Whipkey Young’s decades...

After many years of working as a prosecutor, I realized my strengths and desires were more in line with defending people’s rights than with prosecuting defendants. I earnestly wanted to help defend those rights guaranteed by the Constitution. I understand that most people who have been charged with a crime are not bad people; they have just found themselves in a bad situation. Today, I use the knowledge gained as a Prosecutor to go to bat for my clients. When I accept a criminal defense case, I do whatever it takes to build a strong defense. Your future, your rights, and...

Attorney Ryan Schwartz handles criminal defense and personal injury cases for clients throughout the Atlanta metro area and beyond. He offers personalized client services tailored to a client’s unique goals and works diligently to get to the heart of ever matter, uncovering all the facts and details to build a stronger case. In this way, he puts his passion and life-long dreams of being a lawyer to good use in ensuring that every client to Schwartz Trial Law is well taken care of from the start of their case through its conclusion, no matter how complex their matter may be....

Super Lawyers elected Spizman a Rising Star Every year since 2014. Since 2014 and every year thereafter, The National Trial Lawyers Association selected Spizman as a Top 40 Under 40 and as part of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America. Georgia Trend Magazine continues to recognize Spizman as part of their annual Legal Elite publication, from 2013 to the present. He has achieved a perfect rating on Avvo, a preeminent professional rating and review website, with over 170 five star reviews by his peers and former clients. Spizman regularly speaks nationally on trial strategies, defending DUI and criminal cases,...

Attorney James Houston Washburn is a third-generation lawyer in his family. Both of his parents practiced law in Gwinnett County. He earned a B.S. in Public and International Affairs from the University of Georgia and obtained his J.D. from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
He is licensed to handle cases in the State of Georgia, United States of America’s Northern District of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the Georgia Supreme Court. He is a member of the Gwinnett Bar Association, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD0, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association...

I have been a criminal defense attorney and representing clients from arrest to trial for more than 6 years. I graduated from Auburn University with a major in journalism and minor in English and obtained my law degree from the University of Colorado. My prior career was a journalist and newspaper reporter, reporting on hard news, crime, and politics. I seek to tell my client's story to advocate their position, whether this is arguing before a judge or to a jury. Clients can expect an attorney who is committed and compassionate, and who believes in the rights guaranteed to all...

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...

Luisa Alejos is a Georgia native and founder of L.P.A. Law. She received her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Georgia State University and her J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law. Since childhood, service has been a cornerstone of her life and she has maintained that value in her practice. While at Georgia State University, she dedicated her time to volunteering with immigrants and children and interned at the Department of Juvenile Justice. Once in law school, she expanded to her volunteer hours at the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance and externed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once...

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,...

Robbie has been an attorney in the Metro Atlanta area for over 20 years. He handles Uncontested family law matters, as well as complex Divorce and Custody cases. He also has over 20 years experience in Criminal Defense, handling everything from traffic offenses/DUI's to very serious felony offenses. Mr. Levin has won complex criminal trials, including a Murder trial.

Atlanta DUI Attorney Richard S. Lawson has dedicated his professional career to protecting the rights, freedoms, and futures of individuals charged with driving under the influence (DUI). With nearly two decades of experience, Mr. Lawson is capable of handling the full range of DUI charges, including challenging allegations involving multiple DUIs, felony DUIs, and underage DUIs. His insight as a former DUI prosecutor allows him to understand the “other side,” and has proven to be a driving force behind his ability to resolve nearly 5,000 DUI cases. If you or your loved one is charged with a DUI in Atlanta...

I am a former prosecutor with almost 30 years representing divorce clients and those charged with criminal offenses. I have tried hundreds of cases during my career and am highly successful in court for my clients. My reputation for being a highly skilled and prepared attorney facilitates good settlements for my clients. I have been representing both men and women in divorce and custody disputes for almost 30 years. You can trust me with your legal problems - I will provide you the best representation available.

Current pro hac judge and practitioner for 23 years. Vast trial experience in all types of criminal and personal injury cases, as I was also a former insurance defense attorney.

Adam loves a challenge. There are a number of people who have Adam to thank for saving their careers after obtaining a NOT GUILTY verdict at trial, including military officers with Top Secret clearances, commercial airline pilots, medical personnel, and even other lawyers who chose Adam to represent them when they were at their most vulnerable. Simply put, he hates losing, and will obsess about your case until he finds the best possible way to defend you. Some people simply can’t afford to have a criminal conviction.

Adam has defended thousands of Georgia criminal defense cases. He is certified in Standardized...

John Q. Vaughan, Sr. attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated with honors. Early in his career, John was a highly successful businessman, being internally promoted within the corporate world to an executive position at a young age. Although John had this early success, he longed to pursue his lifelong goal of becoming an attorney. He picked up his family, moved to Georgia, and a few short years later, he graduated from John Marshall Law School with his Juris Doctorate. As a result of his business acumen and relationships with clients, he was offered a partnership with a...

Willis Law Firm is a highly esteemed Atlanta defense firm that focuses on aggressively defending an assortment of DUI cases in Georgia. Their team possesses more than 230 years of combined experience in the legal field. One of the firm’s partners was selected as Best Lawyers® 2012 “Lawyer of the Entire” for DUI Defense for the Atlanta area. Four of their attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the list of Super Lawyers®. They're available to speak 24 hours a day, so give them a call today at (404) 800-0025 for a free consultation.

A native of Alabama and graduate of the University of South Alabama and the Woodrow Wilson College of Law I am an active member of the State Bar of Georgia for over 40 years. My trial experience of 40 years in the State and Federal courts of Georgia concentrated in Family, Personal Injury and Criminal law. Further training around the world and experience in the areas of Aviation and Maritime law have extended my qualifications. See our website at www.McLeodgalaw.com for further history and details of practice and information regarding...

Noah Pines is a partner at Ross & Pines, LLC. As a skilled Atlanta trial attorney, he masterfully weaves his extensive legal knowledge with his years of experience to effectively represent his clients. He has helped numerous individuals charged with criminal offenses. For his efforts, Attorney Pines has accumulated many awards and accolades. He was included in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, named Rising Star? in Georgia Super Lawyers®, earned an AV Preeminent® rating, and more. He is also the author of “A Cup of Coffee with 10 of the Top Criminal Defense Attorneys in...

Jessica graduated from law school and passed the bar in 2010 and served as the staff attorney for the State Court Judges of Cherokee County until she opened up her own practice in Canton, Georgia in 2012. Jessica was an active law student, serving as a student bar representative, Moot Court Board member, and President as well as national competitor, her passion for the law and helping others shown in all that she did. As a practitioner, her passion for helping individuals and families remains and behind all of her work is her genuine concern for...

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...

With decades of experience and service as a former prosecuting attorney, Attorney Grady Moore has established himself as the Marietta criminal defense lawyer clients can trust. As the founding attorney at Moore Legal, LLC, he has handled thousands of cases throughout the duration of his career, and he understands how to protect the rights of his clients. Whether you were charged with DUI, theft, or a drug crime, his firm offers free consultations to help you better understand the details of your case and how you should proceed. Mr. Moore has been on both sides of the courtroom, and his...

Speaks clearly and can even be loud at times. Very honest and ethical. Always loyal to every client, hard worker and sometimes does pro bono work. Highly experienced and very knowledgeable with Georgia law. Senior Attorney practicing part time.

Mr. Leonard is a Georgia DUI lawyer practicing in all of the courts in the peach state. He gets excellent results for his clients because he takes the time to learn about their individual DUI case and to stay on top of the ever changing DUI law. He has been NHTSA trained in DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, just like your arresting officer. In addition, he is a SFST Instructor. He is also a U.S. Department of Transportation certified operator of the Intoxilyzer 5000. He is a member of the National College for DUI...

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...

Evan Watson is a criminal defense trial lawyer specializing in DUI, drug, and theft offenses. In his 8 years as a member of the Georgia Bar, Evan has represented hundreds of clients successfully in the Municipal, State and Superior Courts throughout Georgia.