Top Lawyers 2019

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LAWYERS Get face time with some of the city’s leading attorneys.

Photography by CHRISTINE HALL, KATIE MCGEE, KEITH MORGAN AND PARKER STEWART

The Burgess Law Group, LLC..................................... 166 The Eichholz Law Firm, PC......................................... 159 Law Offices of Joseph J. Steffen Jr............................ 163 LeeAnn Williams Law, PC........................................... 164 Jones Osteen Jones................................................... 158 McNamara Adams, PC Real Estate............................ 161 Morgan and Morgan.................................................. 166 The Patel Law Firm.................................................... 162 The Schachter Law Firm, LLC..................................... 165 Tate Law Group, LLC.................................................. 160 The White Law Group................................................ 157

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Derek J. White THE WHITE LAW GROUP 130 CANAL ST., SUITE 501 912.330.9733 THEWHITELAWGROUP.ORG

Pictured: Derek J. White, Senior Partner and CEO

The law firm’s concentration is ... will preparations, trial litigation with an emphasis in wrongful death, nursinghome abuse, elderly abuse and tractortrailer collisions and contracts.

I specialize in ... Christianity but make a living practicing law. I believe that I am to utilize my gifts as an attorney to do more for others than I do for myself.

In each contract, we have a clause allowing our clients to select a nonprofit organization to which we can make a donation from any fee the firm earns.

My role models and mentors are ... my mother, Josephine White, and Herschel Walker. My mother taught me to love and respect everyone I meet

and to give my all. And my dear friend Herschel has shown me how to do both.

My most important case is … every client’s case. By design, we are a small firm. We dedicate ourselves to providing each client with the individual attention they deserve.

When I’m not in the office, I am … outdoors enjoying God’s creation. My hobbies are walking on the beach with my wonderful wife, Kelli, fishing and playing tennis.

I stay involved in the community by ... volunteering with charities and churches with a focus on reaching as many people as possible.

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Jones Osteen Jones 608 E. OGLETHORPE HWY. | HINESVILLE 206 E. COURT ST. | HINESVILLE 912.876.0888 FOR CONSULTATION 912.876.0111 FOR REAL ESTATE INQUIRIES JOJLAW.COM

Standing from left: Luke Moses, Billy Jones, Linnie Darden, Noel Osteen, Richard Braun; Seated: Kelly Davis, Carl Varnedoe 158

S A V A N N A H M A G A Z I N E . C O M ★ S p e c i a l A d v e r ti s i n g S e c ti o n

We specialize in ... trial practice that focuses on the representation of individuals and their families injured or killed in 18-wheeler wrecks, automobile accidents and as a result of other negligence.

Our clients are ... anyone who has been seriously injured or had a loved one killed as a result of something someone else did or did not do.

Our philosophy is … Personal.

Professional. Proven. We provide personal, professional attention to our clients that yields proven results.

Our biggest case … is every case we take. Nothing is more important to our clients or to us than what they are going through that led them to our firm.

We are most proud of ... our track record of success. We celebrate our 60th anniversary this year and are proud that, during this time, we have secured nearly half a billion dollars in jury verdicts and negotiated settlements for our clients, nearly $90 million of which has been in the past eight years alone.

The Eichholz Law Firm, P.C. 319 EISENHOWER DRIVE 912.222.2222 THEJUSTICELAWYER.COM

We specialize in ... providing legal services to those who have been hurt through the negligence of others.

We are most proud of … our commitment to seeking justice for our clients and our track record of results.

We are practicing in Savannah because ... this is home.

We stay involved in the community by … providing scholarships, launching public service initiatives, participating in community events and sponsoring local organizations that share in making the Coastal Empire a better place for all.

We serve Savannah by ... advocating for justice and social responsibility.

Our clients are … the driving force behind everything we do.

From left: Janet Cantrell, Kathryn Sherry, Fatima Zeidan, Cameron Woodard, and David Eichholz

Our biggest (or more important) case ... is the case we are entrusted to advocate for. Every single client we have matters to us, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to serve them.

We maintain a work/life balance by … being flexible and encouraging employees to make themselves a priority.

We unwind by … hosting a monthly happy hour for our employees.

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Mark A. Tate TATE LAW GROUP, LLC 2 E. BRYAN ST. SUITE 600 TATELAWGROUP.COM 912.234.3030

Pictured: Mark A. Tate

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My background ... The Honorable Perry Brannen Jr. swore me in as lawyer in June 1992, and I was ready to hit the ground running as a trial lawyer at the brisk young age of 24.

After two decades as a plaintiff’s lawyer and partner at firms across Georgia, I founded my own firm in 2004, and have since represented clients and tried cases all over the country, from Hawaii to Maine and Florida to Arkansas and have served in leadership roles in many different mass torts.

My reputation ... Our biggest cases include landmark verdicts defending the elderly, those injured and killed by medical negligence and industrial

accidents, victims of Catholic Church sexual abuse, and victims of the opiate industry. I’m very proud of the fact that I was successful in winning an elderly Toombs County couple $3.9 million — the largest verdict in the county’s history. I was especially touched that many of the jurors took the time to share with me that my closing argument moved them so much that they awarded my client more than what I had asked for.

My passion ... It’s a privilege to take a stand for my clients and to be actively involved in the community. I’m proud to call Savannah home and to serve the good citizens of our city and beyond.

McNamara Adams, P.C. Real Estate SAVANNAH: 912.355.1109 7370 HODGSON MEMORIAL DRIVE POOLER: 912.748.1204 130 CANAL ST., STE. 303 MCNAMARAADAMSATLAW.COM

From left: Mary “Molly” McNamara Adams, Thomas J. McNamara, J. Craig Adams

What we are most proud of … The fact that people have placed their trust in us for an important event in their lives.

So many clients have remained loyal friends through the years, and we are always happy to assist them again. We are trilled to have families trust us the way they do.

We focus on ... real estate closings and probate.

Why we practice in Savannah ...

Savannah is the greatest city in America. It’s a great place to raise a family and make true, loyal friends.

On our clients ... Our clients are regular folks who are seeking someone who cares and someone they can trust with their real estate closing or probate matter.

Our philosophy … Treat every client and every case with the same effort, concern and professionalism as if it were the most important matter we would ever handle.

How we maintain balance ... We are involved in many different family events. We follow our children and even our grandchildren to church, school and community activities. You meet great people who care about God, children and community at these events.

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Sneh Patel THE PATEL LAW FIRM 223 W. YORK ST. 912.662.5498 PATELLAWFIRM.NET

Pictured: Sneh Patel

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I specialize in ... criminal defense and focus primarily on DUI cases, drugrelated cases and traffic violations.

I’m so proud of my firm because ... I have built this firm from the ground up, establishing it as one of the elite criminal defense firms in the Savannah area. Before opening my practice, I held positions on the other side of the courtroom, serving five years as an assistant district attorney for Chatham County. I believe my experience as a prosecutor allows me to better serve my clients.

Most people are surprised when they learn I ... was born and raised in

Germany and speak four languages— English, Gujarati, Hindi and German.

Or, that I had no intention of becoming a lawyer — I actually wanted to be a pilot. One day in college I was watching “The Practice,” and I thought the lawyers were like superheroes fighting against injustice. I decided I wanted to do the same.

I maintain a work/life balance by ... spending as much time with my family as I can. My wife, Darshana, is the rock of the family and keeps everything running smoothly. Our 5-year-old daughter, Madeline, is following in my footsteps. At a young age, she has great negotiation skills and proper objections, which she uses on her friends.

Joseph J. Steffen Jr. LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH J. STEFFEN JR. 317 TATTNALL ST. 912.604.4147 JOESTEFFEN.COM

Pictured: Joseph J. Steffen Jr.

I specialize in ... serious trial cases.

I love the courtroom and have for 35 years. Most of my work is in auto and truck accidents and injuries, work injuries, defective products, EEOC claims, higher education and cyclinginjury cases.

Why cycling? I have been a lifelong cyclist and advocate for trails and safe cycling. I can take an issue I’m passionate about and use my legal trial experience to help those who are injured while cycling. For instance, many people who are injured by an uninsured or phantom vehicle aren’t aware their own Uninsured Motorist Coverage on their cars also covers them while cycling!

Did you know ... about 80 percent of cases settle at mediation before trial.

You need a lawyer who can be civil with other lawyers and insurance adjusters but is still willing to go to trial when necessary.

The best advice I ever received ... was from an elderly lawyer I worked with in my first job as a clerk many years ago.

He told me, “Your financial success as a lawyer is as much a factor of the cases you don’t take as the ones you do.”

Don’t waste your or your client’s time and money on cases that can’t be won.

That’s why I tend to be selective in the cases I take. It’s not about volume, but results.

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LeeAnn Williams LEEANN WILLIAMS LAW, PC 2225 NORWOOD AVENUE, SUITE C SAVANNAH, GA 31406 OFFICE AND FAX: 912.925.9396 CELL: 912.308.2538 LEEANN@LEEANNWILLIAMSLAWPC.COM

Pictured: LeeAnn Williams

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I am ... a transactional attorney, with an emphasis on real estate.

I start each day by ... watching the sunrise. The beauty of the Coastal Empire takes my breath.

I serve ... on the board of the Landings Military Family Relief Fund, working with others to assist our local military members and their families. I am also president of The Landings Association.

I unwind by ... running, biking, doing yoga and/or spending time with my best friend Dillon, my French Bulldog.

My most famous case ... was when I was a commercial litigator in Philadelphia. A man received a solicitation in the mail which included a fake check for $99,000. I represented the bank that cashed it.

Most people are surprised when they learn I ... am a reformed card shark.

I made all my spending money in college playing poker.

I have a passion for ... animals. I am a thirty year vegetarian and a lover of animals. I currently have one dog and two cats. I love elephants as well.

The Schachter Law Firm, LLC 427 MONTGOMERY ST. 912.233.8883 DISFAMILYLAW.COM

From left: Andrea Pluff, David I. Schachter, J. Brett Brinson and Kendra Mack

Our concentration is ... divorce and family law.

Our Accolades include ... AV Preeminent Rated by MartindaleHubbell (the highest possible rating reserved for lawyers who have reached the heights of professional excellence and highest levels of skill and integrity); Leading Lawyers, Georgia’s Top Rated Lawyers from 2015-2019; AVVO Client’s Choice Award for Divorce Law, Child Custody and Family Law (2012-2018); Top 100 Lawyers — The National Advocates, 2015-2019; Nation’s Top 1% in Family Law — National Association of Distinguished Council; and named to Super Lawyers in 2018 and 2019 (only 2.5% of Georgia lawyers are selected).

There can be such a thing as ... a good divorce. Oftentimes, a good divorce is better than a lousy marriage.

Favorite quote ... From Sun Tzu in The Art of War: “To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.”

Our passion is ... hard work and achieving positive results on behalf of our clients.It’s not about volume, but results.

We specialize in ... all facets of family law, including high-asset divorce, dissolution, child custody, child support, alimony, marital settlement agreements and equitable property division.

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Stephanie O. Burgess, Esq. THE BURGESS LAW GROUP, LLC 142 JEFFERSON ST. 912.233.6112 BURGESSLAWGROUP@GMAIL.COM BURGESSLAWGROUP.COM

My practice areas include … criminal defense, DUI, juvenile delinquency, divorce, child support, child custody and some civil cases.

I stay involved in my community by … sponsoring events that benefit the disadvantaged, young people or other community programs. I have a genuine passion for community and working as one.

When I am not working, I … hang out downtown at some of my favorite restaurants. Savannah has the best food and some great new places. I also travel abroad frequently — I love exploring new places and cultures!

Beverly Carson MORGAN & MORGAN 25 BULL ST., SUITE 400 912.443.1002 FORTHEPEOPLE.COM/SAVANNAH

I specialize in … helping injured workers. We are known for representing injured individuals, but the attorneys in our Employment Rights, Business Trial Group and Consumer Protection Departments also level the playing field so people can seek justice against the powerful.

I’m so proud that … my firm, Morgan & Morgan, is for the people and for our employees by raising our starting wage to $15 per hour.

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