Clayton County Criminal Lawyers

Justin W. Chaney is a native of Atlanta. Prior to becoming an attorney Mr. Chaney was a Border Patrol Agent on the US-Mexico border in California and Texas. He was an Adjudications Officer with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) at the New Orleans District Office. While with the INS Mr. Chaney conducted interviews and adjudicated thousands of various petitions and applications. After graduating from Whittier Law School in 2002, Mr. Chaney’s practice has focused on immigration law and criminal defense for non-citizens. He is a member...

Attorney T. Bryan Lumpkin has been practicing law and serving clients in Marietta, Georgia for over 20 years. If you need help with a Criminal Defense issue, contact Attorney T. Bryan Lumpkin for a consultation today!

Eric Coffelt earned his Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law. Prior to that, Eric attended Mercer University, where he studied criminal justice and graduated magna cum laude. While in law school, Eric competed in national mock trial competitions as part of Georgia State's distinguished Student Trial Lawyer's Association, was the Vice President of the Criminal Law Association, and was awarded the prestigious Georgia Civil Justice Foundation Scholarship for Excellence in Trial Advocacy. Virtually all of Eric's litigation experience has been in the area of criminal defense. His passion for helping those accused of criminal offenses began...

Since starting Rachel Kaufman Law in June of 2015, Rachel has provided top-notch legal representation to hundreds of clients throughout the State of Georgia. In that short time, Rachel has gained a reputation for being a highly passionate and highly effective courtroom advocate. Amongst her colleagues, judges and courtroom personnel, Rachel is known for being a smart fighter, who can see through the tumbleweeds and intuitively zero-in on which strategic routes need to be taken to get to the best outcome possible. No matter the charge (DUI, Murder, Drug Offense, etc.), Rachel approaches each client’s situation with family-like loyalty and...

Norm Sawyer’s early career was spent representing the clients of large insurance companies, so he offers a unique perspective to his clients and the Litner + Deganian team. Norm knows how the insurance companies think and act, which can be a big advantage in a personal injury case. He also has a substantial amount of experience working with mediators as well as in state and federal courts.
“Insurance companies have so many clients that there’s very little interaction and a lot of rigid processes,” Norm commented. “I wanted to impact people’s lives, not just their insurance rates.” Norm met Arman Deganian...

Benjamin Von Schuch has a relentless passion to seek justice and help others gain a second chance at life. He fights to protect the rights of men, women and minors accused of misdemeanor and/or felony crimes in and around Atlanta, GA. As a compassionate criminal defense attorney and owner of an Atlanta based law firm, Benjamin Von Schuch aims to give each of his clients the means to a solid defense so they can move on with their lives without the repercussion of a criminal record. Benjamin Von Schuch has made it his priority and mission to help others through...

Michael D. Murphy is an attorney with Farnsworth & Murphy LLC in Atlanta, GA. Before opening Farnsworth & Murphy LLC, Michael worked as a Senior Associate attorney at one of the largest criminal defense firms in Georgia. Michael has handled a wide range of cases from serious felony charges to minor traffic offenses. He has appeared in courtrooms all over the State of Georgia. While in law school, Michael spent time working as an intern with the Dekalb County District Attorney's Office. While in Dekalb. Michael assisted in handling a broad range of cases with the majority of his cases...

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.

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...

DeKalb County Bar Association (President, 2006-2007), Atlanta Bar Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Vice Chairman, DUI Committee, 2005-Present); Georgia Defense of Drinking Drivers Group; Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; National College for DUI Defense (Elected to Board of Regents, 2008, Dean 2017-18, Dean Emeritus 2018-19, Fellow 2019-Present).

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...

Ruslyn D. Ruby has practiced law since 2017. She focuses her practice on family law, probate and general civil litigation. She was born and raised in Georgia and has lived in Forsyth County since her childhood. Mrs. Ruby graduated with a bachelors degree in Business Management, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina Aiken. While at USC-Aiken, she was the captain of the cheerleading squad and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. In 2016, Ruslyn received her Juris Doctorate from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law. While in law school, she was a member of the Association of...

Matthew Van Dyke has a service-driven practice with a specific focus of adding value and maximizing efficiencies for the Client. Mr. Van Dyke believes that it takes a cooperative effort in order to accomplish the Client’s goals.

For his business clients, Mr. Van Dyke will work with you to add value to your organization while being efficient and minimizing the risks for litigation. However, if litigation does arise, Mr. Van Dyke will represent your interests zealously, both in the courtroom and in the boardroom. For clients who have been charged with a crime, Matthew will work with you and for you...

Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney with over 20 years of legal experience. Extensive jury trial experience. Experience handling major felony cases such as Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Rape, Robbery, Theft Crimes, and all crimes against persons.

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...

The Smith Williams Law Firm’s owner, Yolanda Smith-Williams, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina A&T State University in Political Science with a minor in English. She received her Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. While in law school, Yolanda gained valuable legal work experience by working with a Circuit Court Judge. This was the start of her experience in working in the area of Family Law. She later received a highly sought after internship with the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office. In this position, Yolanda assisted in prosecuting individuals charged with felonies and...

Katie has spent her entire legal career advocating for her clients. She spent over 14 years as a public defender in Fulton County, representing individuals charged with felony crimes at the trial and appellate level. Most of her career at the public defender’s office was spent in the complex felony unit, representing people charged with the most serious crimes; murder, armed robbery, sex crimes and drug trafficking. More recently, Katie was a partner in a boutique law firm, trying cases and representing clients all over the Metro Atlanta area. Her many years in the courtroom have earned her a reputation...

I began my adult life by serving in the U.S. Army, in the Military Intelligence Corps. After an honorable discharge began attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1998. After two years of hard work I received my Bachelor's Degree. I began law school in 2001, and received my Juris Doctor in 2004. I have worked extensively in juvenile courts in the metro-Atlanta area, primarily as a guardian ad litem representing the interests of children in deprivation and delinquency cases. I have also served as a guardian ad litem in very contentious custody cases....

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.

As a former federal prosecutor and a dedicated criminal defense attorney, Attorney Richard Rice fights diligently to safeguard the rights of his clients. As a member of Mensa International, an organization only open to those persons whose IQ is in the top 2% of world’s population, he uses his considerable experience and knowledge of the law to defend his client’s futures

For his dedication, Attorney Richard Rice has been honored to receive numerous accolades, including:
Being named a “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend Magazine
Inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® list
An Avvo Rating of 10.0 Superb
Being named one of the Top 100 Trial...

Our firm handles cases in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, wrongful death, and contracts.

Musa M. Ghanayem, attended Law School at Michigan State University College of Law, where he was a Dean's List member every semester, and a Cum Laude graduate. Musa is licensed to practice in Georgia and New York and has been involved in a variety of areas of Legal Practice. As a 1st year associate Musa was a senior associate in a complex commercial litigation and Qui Tam boutique law firm. After two years as an associate, he realized his passion as an advocate for civil rights, human rights, and the protection of the Constitution. In 2002 Musa joined...

Growing up in a multicultural household, I was shaped by my Japanese, Chinese, and African American heritage, which instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and respect. Atlanta is my first home, but my time abroad also shaped my worldview and continues to influence how I approach my work and relationships. I earned my Bachelor’s in Japanese Language and Literature at the University of Georgia and my Juris Doctorate at the University of Alabama School of Law. While in law school, I discovered my passion for service, working in Family and Elder Law Clinics, clerking for a federal judge,...

Ms. Samantha Ashley Miller is the founding partner of Gross & Miller, and she was admitted to practice law in the State of Georgia in 1997. She is a native of North Carolina and she graduated from Appalachian State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In December 1996, she received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from John Marshall Law School. During law school she served as the editor for The Advocate. She is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, Cobb Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section. She volunteers her...

DUSTIN W. HIGHTOWER grew up in Carroll County, Georgia where he graduated from Central High School (“CHS”) in 2000. While attending CHS, Dusty lettered in football, wrestling, and baseball. During Dusty’s senior year he served as captain of CHS’s football team along with his cousin Brian Maxwell (now a mechanical engineer at Southwire), and fellow classmate Josh Hubbard. Dusty also received the honor of representing his class as Homecoming King and Mr. CHS his senior year. Upon graduating from CHS, Dusty attended the University of West Georgia (“UWG”) where he graduated cum laude. During...

Kevin J. Pratt PC, founded in 2002, provides professional and aggressive legal representation to clients across Georgia. With offices off I85 in Suwanee Georgia, convenient to Gwinnett, DeKalb, Hall, Barrow, Forsyth, Jackson, and Fulton Counties. We take on cases throughout Metro Atlanta and Georgia. We have the real life and legal experience necessary to get the job done right. The focus of our practice is primarily criminal defense and civil litigation defense. Our firm also provides legal representation in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. In addition to being an attorney, Kevin J. Pratt is a...