News

In an article published on June 3, 2019, for the Daily Report, partner Jeff Stinson shares insight on managing relationships and creating a cohesive, collaborative environment amid claims litigation to achieve a successful outcome.

For the full story, subscribers to the Daily Report can click here.

Swift Currie hosted its annual client service event on Saturday, May 18, in partnership with Action Ministries, a nonprofit that furnishes an extensive network of community partners and volunteers with the tools and expertise to lead fellow Georgians out of poverty.

In the Spring 2019 issue of the Insurance Coverage Law Report, Pamela Lee and Kevan Dorsey authored an article on dog bite liability and the various laws in different states.

Approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog in the U.S. each year and one in five of those bites requires medical attention. While every state provides some basis of recovery for people injured by a dog, there are specific nuances in each state that vary and generally fall within the realm of “strict liability” or the “one bite rule.”

Subscribers may click here for the full article.

Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, is pleased to announce its inclusion in the Law360 400, an annual ranking of the largest law firms in the U.S. This year, Swift Currie ranked at 275, moving up 33 spots from last year's ranking of 308. The list is comprised of U.S.-based firms and international firms with a U.S. component and determined by domestic attorney head count. As of Dec. 31, 2018, Swift Currie had 149 attorneys, of which 61 are partners.

Subscribers of Law360 may view the complete list of rankings here.

During the month of April, Swift Currie held its 2019 annual food drive for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The firm donated a total of 4,481 pounds of food, which will provide 3,734 meals for Georgians who are food insecure.

Law360 included Swift Currie’s newest partners in its May 9, 2019, round-up of attorneys who were promoted in the first quarter of 2019. Each of the firm’s newest partners practice in the Atlanta office and include:

Jessica Phillips, who represents businesses in insurance coverage, arson and first-party property damage claims;

Rebecca Strickland, who defense clients in coverage and commercial litigation matters; and,

Calvin Yaeger, who handles litigation and insurance law matters for his clients.

The full round-up of promotions is available to Law360 subscribers here. For more information on Phillips, Strickland and Yaeger, please see Swift Currie’s press release announcing their elevation to partnership here.

Trey Dowdey authored an article for the May 2019 issue of CLM Magazine breaking down the art of taking recorded statements to obtain the information needed to quickly resolve a claim.

“If completed quickly and thoroughly, a statement can be a pivotal tool for assessing the validity of a claim and steering it toward early resolution,” Dowdey says.

However, it’s important to ensure that the claimant remains willing to talk and engage in a respectful conversation, which is where a skillful statement taker can avoid challenges in claim resolution by remaining professional, fair and polite.

For the full article, please click here.

Law360 highlighted partner David Atkinson in a recent article discussing his successful representation of Travelers Insurance subsidiary, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co.

On April 12, 2019, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed St. Paul does not need to cover a $23 million settlement in an unsolicited fax class action that St. Paul policyholder and manufacturing quote provider MFG.com negotiated to end a putative Telephone Consumer Protection class action. In the proposed class action, commercial sign manufacturer GM Sign Inc. claimed MFG frequently and without consent sent large amounts of fax advertisements to GM Sign and other companies.

Subscribers to Law360 may read the full article here.

Swift Currie announces the addition of six attorneys to its Atlanta office during the first months of 2019. The newest arrivals to the firm's Atlanta office include senior attorney Thea Nanton-Persuad, as well as associates Christine Lee, Lauren Meadows, Molly O’Connor, Hannah Beth Reynolds and Raqketa Williams.

Click here for the news in the digital edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Click here for the news as published in Metro Atlanta CEO. Click here for the news as published in Atlanta CityBizList. Click here for the news as published in the Daily Report. Click here for the full press release.

Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, was honored in the 2019 Georgia Legal Awards as a Litigation Department of the Year, which was included in the April 19, 2019, issue of the Daily Report. As the largest firm in the Southeast focused exclusively on litigation, this recognition is a testament to Swift Currie’s roster of diversely experienced attorneys and its ability to provide effective counsel in the ever-expanding range of unique and complex legal disputes that may arise. The firm has made significant additions to its roster in recent years, including 45 new attorneys in 2018 and six additions already in 2019 to bring the overall headcount to 150.

Swift Currie will be honored at the Georgia Legal Awards ceremony on June 20. You may view the full list of honorees here. 

In an article published on April 11, 2019, managing partner Terry O. Brantley provided insight to Mid-Market Report on best practices for recruiting and retaining business development talent in a law firm.

Subscribers may click here for the full article.

Swift Currie has announced Trey Dowdey’s selection to take command of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 10th Legal Operations Detachment, which falls under the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command out of Gaithersburg, Maryland

Click here for the news in Business Alabama. Click here for the article in the Birmingham Business Journal. Click here for the full press release.

In an article published in Fit Small Business on April 15, 2019, Richie Foster provided insight on the process of getting semi-truck insurance. With truck insurance being a major investment for motor carriers and owner-operators, it is important to seek affordable coverage that protects assets.

Please click here for the full article. 

The Georgia Bar Journal published the announcement of the elevation of Jessica M. Phillips, Rebecca E. Strickland and Calvin P. Yaeger to partnership in the Bench & Bar section of its February 2019 issue. Additionally, the firm welcomed Sara Alexandre, Rebecca M. Beane, Avery G. Carter, Clay L. Clifton, Lauren P. Kamensky, Nichole C. Novosel, Tara P. Schlairet, Kristen M. Vigilant, Ivy R. White and Robert K. Young.

Please click here for the magazine’s digital edition.

On April 9, 2019, WorkCompCentral published an article by William Rabb covering a panel partner Mark Goodman took part in at the Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group 2019 Southeast Regional Conference. The panel comprised of defense attorneys discussed "trade secrets" and tips "to facilitate reasonable settlements and avoid prolonged litigation." Cultivating trust with opposing counsel, being forthcoming about demands and avoiding surprises are among the most important tactics suggested by the panel.

Please click here to view the full article.

Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, is pleased to announce partner Anandhi S. Rajan was elected to the board of directors of the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA), an industry-centered organization focused on the defense of retail and restaurant businesses. Her position is effective as of March 8, 2019, and she will serve as a board member from 2019 to 2022.

In an article published in the March 2019 issue of CLM Magazine, Ronni Bright and Marc Sirotkin discuss the importance of and best practices when investigating a questionable workers’ compensation claim and deciding whether to accept or deny the claim.

To download a copy of the article, please click here.

In a roundup published in the Daily Report on Feb. 13, 2019, Swift Currie partners Bill Casey, Erica Morton and Richie Foster were included among the biggest lateral moves for Atlanta firms in 2018. The attorneys worked together for more than a decade at Hicks, Casey & Morton.

For the full article, please click here.

In a Law360 article published on Feb. 12, 2019, partner David Atkinson was mentioned for his successful representation of two Travelers Insurance entities. U.S. District Court Judge William M. Ray, II, granted summary judgment to the insurance companies, finding no duty to defend or indemnify under commercial insurance policies.

Subscribers to Law360 may read the full article here.

On Feb. 7, 2019, the Atlanta CityBizList included the news that seven of the firm’s attorneys were included in the 2019 list of Georgia Super Lawyers, and an additional seven were recognized among the publication’s 2019 Rising Stars.

For the full article, please click here.

For the full press release, please click here.

In an article published by Risk Management, Emily Truitt provided insight on idiopathic defense, traditionally meaning that if the cause of a workplace injury is unknown, it should not be deemed work-related. Although workers' compensation is considered a no-fault system, the idiopathic defense can provide employers with protection from injuries incurred in the workplace that are not truly causally connected to work.

For the full article, please click here.

In an article published in the January 2019 issue of CLM Magazine, Trey Dowdey outlines the importance of an initial investigative strategy to move claims forward quickly and successfully. A thorough initial claims investigation can help spot potential issues early in the process and posture claims for efficient and successful outcomes.

For the full article, please click here.

The elevation of Jessica M. Phillips, Rebecca E. Strickland and Calvin P. Yaeger was highlighted in the business section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan. 13 2019, as well as in Metro Atlanta CEO on Jan. 7 and the Atlanta CityBizList on Jan. 2.

For the full article in Atlanta CityBizList, please click here. For the full article in Metro Atlanta CEO, please click here. For the full press release, please click here.

The arrival of Lauren P. Kamensky to Swift Currie’s Atlanta office was highlighted in the Sunday Newsmakers section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Dec. 30, 2018, as well as in the Atlanta CityBizList on Dec. 12 and Metro Atlanta CEO on Dec. 20.

Please click here to view the full article in Atlanta CityBizList and click here for the article in Metro Atlanta CEO. Subscribers to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution may read the news in the business section of the Dec. 30 print publication, available here. The full press release can be found here.

In an article published in the December 2018 edition of Risk Management magazine, Jeff Stinson advises employers on the value of creating and implementing a comprehensive safety program to prevent the potential for liability in workers’ compensation claims.

To view the full article online, click here.

In an article published in Workforce on Nov. 15, 2018, Crystal Stevens McElrath provided insight on pregnancy protections for women in the workforce. While there is a period of 12 weeks of federally mandated unpaid leave available to new mothers under the Family and Medical Leave Act, some employers offer pay during this period or throughout a longer period of maternity leave. However, most employers have additional obligations to pregnant employees, which can include the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

To view the full article, click here.

On Nov. 16, 2018, Birmingham Business Journal highlighted that two Swift Currie attorneys in Birmingham were included in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2018 Rising Stars list. Brandon J. Clapp and Brian C. Richardson’s earned the Rising Stars designation, which honors less than 2.5 percent of lawyers across Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee who are 40 years old or younger or have been practicing for 10 years or less.

For more information, you may view the full release on the firm’s page here.

For the full article, please click here.

On Nov. 16, 2018, the news of Swift Currie’s recent addition of nine new attorneys in the firm’s Atlanta office was published in an article in the Daily Report. Sara Alexandre, Rebecca M. Beane, Tara P. Schlairet, Ivy R. White and Robert K. Young are newcomers to the firm, while Avery G. Carter, Clay L. Clifton, Nichole C. Novosel and Kristen M. Vigilant join the firm after previously serving as summer associates in 2017. 

To view the full Daily Report article, click here.

The news also previously published in the Metro Atlanta CEO and the Atlanta CityBizList.

On Nov. 9, 2018, Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, was included in the Birmingham Business Journal’s round-up of firms ranked among the 2019 U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms” list in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Swift Currie earned a tier 2 national ranking for insurance law, and the growing Birmingham office earned a tier 3 ranking in its local market for insurance law.

For the full article, please click here.

Swift Currie’s own Robert R. Potter was included in a special Veteran’s Day slideshow published on Nov. 9, 2018, by the Daily Report highlighting veterans in Georgia’s legal community. Potter was a member of the United States Navy from 1970 to 1974, where he earned the rank of lieutenant junior grade (LTJG).

For the Daily Report’s full slideshow commemorating Georgia legal professionals who served our nation, please click here.

On Nov. 9, 2018, Mid-Market Report published an article highlighting Swift Currie’s recent rebranding efforts. Part of the firm’s rebranding efforts include a new logo with the firm’s names in lower-case cursive, divided by a gold slash — a significant change from its predecessor. Swift Currie’s roster has doubled since the logo was last changed in 2003, now with approximately 150 lawyers.

For the full article, please click here.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, Swift Currie sponsored Atlanta Legal Aid's Run for Justice, which benefits the organization's general operating fund. Our team of runners braved the cold temperatures with their friends, families and others in the legal community to take on the 5K beginning and ending at One Step at a Time in Decatur.

Swift Currie and the recent upgrade to the firm’s logo were highlighted by The Daily Report on Nov. 6, 2018. As a part of an ongoing effort to update the firm’s brand, which will include a revamped website launch in 2019, Swift Currie unveiled a new logo in August. 

For the full story, please click here.

On Nov. 1, 2018, Atlanta CityBizList published the news of the firm’s inclusion on the 2019 U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms” list. The firm was recognized in the Atlanta, Birmingham and national markets for the work of the following six different practice areas.

For the full article, please click here.

In an article published in Business Alabama on Oct. 24, 2018, Trey Dowdey discussed Alabama’s booming manufacturing market, crediting big-name production facilities in the state like Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Mazda, Honda and Hyundai for the state’s boost in national rankings for automobile production.

For the full article, click here.

Brian Richardson authored an article published by Construction Executive on October 16, 2018, discussing indemnity provisions in construction contracts and their role in deciding who is responsible for a contractor’s negligence when subcontractors are involved.

For the full article, click here.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlighted new attorneys who recently joined the firm’s Atlanta and Birmingham offices in its Newsmakers section published on Oct. 14, 2018. The attorneys, who joined in September 2018, include Quinton R. Beasley, Murray S. Flint, Leah F. Parker and Jenna B. Rubin.

Subscribers to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution may see the news in the business section of the October 14 print publication, available here.

In an article published on Oct. 8, 2018, Brandon Clapp discusses ways small businesses can best protect themselves from natural disasters with the proper insurance. Given that small businesses are more vulnerable to natural disasters due to a lack of resources, owners should first see what existing coverage they already possess and evaluate their potential risk exposure to ensure they do not pay for insurance they do not need.

For the full article, you may click here.

In an article posted on Oct. 2, 2018, in HR Dive, Anandhi Rajan provided insight on anti-discriminatory regulations for pregnant employees. The article addresses a settlement by a Denver-based law firm in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Rajan’s insight from a previous article provided key context on lessons related to this type of case.

For the full article, you may click here.

Raising money and running races, that is what a number of Swift Currie attorneys and family members did on September 29 as they participated in the 2018 Meaningful Miles 5K Race. The race benefits Back on My Feet, a national organization operating in 12 major cities coast to coast, combating homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources. We are happy to say this is becoming an annual event for the firm and we continue to be excited to take part in it.

Swift Currie’s seven new attorneys were included in Atlanta CityBizList on September 24 and in Metro Atlanta CEO on September 25, as the firm continues its accelerated growth across its Atlanta and Birmingham offices. Now as the largest firm in Georgia focused exclusively on litigation, this announcement means 34 new attorneys have joined the firm in 2018 alone, bringing the total headcount to more than 140 attorneys.

For the full Atlanta CityBizList article, you may click here. For the full Metro Atlanta CEO article, you may click here. For the full article in the Georgia Bar Journal, please click here.

Brandon Clapp authored an article published by Business Alabama on August 28, 2018, discussing the risks posed to Alabama businesses by potential weather-related natural disasters, as well as what businesses owners should do to protect themselves before disaster strikes.

Brandon Clapp authored an article published by Business Alabama on August 28, 2018, discussing the risks posed to Alabama businesses by potential weather-related natural disasters, as well as what businesses owners should do to protect themselves before disaster strikes.

For the full article, please click here.

The August 2018 issue of the Georgia Bar Journal included news of some recent new hires Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, welcomed to the firm. Kevan G. Dorsey, Sean P. Farrell, Jordan M. Mahoney, Benjamin D. McClure, Alexander McDonald, Victoria L. Shaw and Winter N. Wheeler were featured in the publication’s “On the Move” section.

To view the full announcement in the Georgia Bar Journal, please click here.

In an article published in Claims Journal on August 21, 2018, Crystal McElrath discusses workers' compensation and defines willful misconduct in terms of a workers’ compensation defense. In order to expand on this idea, the article outlines specific examples of states that provide statutory defenses in cases where an employee’s own willful misconduct or intoxication may have caused an on-the-job injury, in which case an employer may have grounds for a willful misconduct defense.

To view the full article, click here.

Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP's, announcement of its 14 honorees in this year’s The Best Lawyers in America, which included R. Briggs Peery as Lawyer of the Year in Atlanta for the category of Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers, was published in Atlanta CityBizList on August 15, 2018, and Metro Atlanta CEO on August 20, 2018.

Click here for the full article in Atlanta CityBizList and here for the full article in Metro Atlanta CEO.

Find the full press release here.

Metro Atlanta CEO featured the arrival of Christopher Gifford as a senior attorney at Swift Currie and Brianna Tucker as an associate — both in the firm’s Atlanta office — in an online story on August 8, 2018. The Daily Report also published the news of their additions in the "On the Move" section on August 20, 2018.

Please click here to view the full article in Metro Atlanta CEO and here for the full article in The Daily Report.

On August 6, 2018, Metro Atlanta CEO published news of the addition of Lauren Woodrick to Swift Currie’s Atlanta office. Woodrick joined the firm in July, and was the 25th attorney to join the firm in 2018. Woodrick is licensed in both Alabama and Georgia, and she brings to the litigation team diverse experience handling a range of legal matters, including breach of contract actions under state law, criminal law, employment discrimination, SEC enforcement, civil rights, immigration and federal jurisdiction.

For the full article, please click here.

On August 3, 2018, Atlanta CityBizList published the announcement of Swift Currie’s continued expansion with the firm’s two newest attorneys. Christopher Gifford joins the firm as a senior attorney focused in the area of workers’ compensation and Brianna Tucker joins the firm’s litigation team as an associate.

For the full article, please click here.

Terry O. Brantley provided insight for a Daily Report article on August 3, 2018, addressing Swift Currie’s commitment to strong client relationships. Relationship partners at the firm work to ensure a true partnership with each client backed by a deep understanding of their needs, what they want to focus on and how they prefer to communicate.

In an article published for Risk Management on August 1, 2018, Dan Kingsley provided insight on steps for property owners to take following an on-site injury to ensure compliance. Property owners and occupiers face exposure and risk for a facility based on their responsibility to exercise ordinary care to protect people from unreasonable risks of harm of which the owner is aware, including inspecting the premises to discover potentially dangerous conditions and taking steps to rectify the situation. It is important to document these efforts as they occur.

To view the full article please click here.

In an article published by the Daily Report on July 31, 2018, Pamela Lee and Crystal McElrath discussed two key solutions for lawyers and law firms to ensure a healthy work/family balance. The first concept calls on mothers and caregivers to set their own narrative, including identifying goals, recognizing their value and managing expectations as both a parent/caretaker and an attorney. The second solution to help drive health balance is mutual flexibility between the individual caregivers and the firms employing them to generate trust and respect.

To view the full article please click here.

Anandhi Rajan and Crystal Stevens McElrath authored an article for the June 2018 issue of Employee Benefit Plan Review discussing considerations for employers to be compliant and accommodating when it comes to managing pregnant employees.

For the full article, please click here.

In an article published in the Summer 2018 edition of WC (Workers’ Compensation) Magazine titled, "Getting a Grip on Claims," by Louise Esola, partner Mike Rosetti was quoted discussing workers' compensation settlements and proper negotiation to avoid prolonged disputes. When executed properly, workers' compensation settlements can bring peace of mind to both the employer and employee involved, but there are a number of factors to consider to ensure this happens.

Click here to view the full article.

Lauren Woodrick, the 25th attorney to join Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, in 2018, was included in the Newsmakers section of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on July 15, 2018. She holds licenses in both Alabama and Georgia and represents clients in a wide range of complex disputes and litigation matters, including breach of contract actions under state law, criminal law, employment discrimination, SEC enforcement, civil rights, immigration and federal jurisdiction.

Subscribers to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution may see the news in the business section of the July 15 print publication, available here.

Woodrick’s arrival was also highlighted in the October issue of The Georgia Bar Journal, available here.

Jessica Phillips joined Jonathan Morgan, a senior litigation specialist at Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, to author an article for the July 2018 issue of CLM Magazine offering practical guidance for claims professionals to address fraudulent claims made by roofers. After a storm, roofers often seek opportunities for work that can be covered by a homeowners insurance policy, and it is important to understand common tricks that some deceitful roofers might employ to game the insurance system. It is vital to be mindful of these deceptive practices. For concrete techniques to mitigate their threat, please see the full article here.

Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, was featured in a front page story in the July 10, 2018, issue of the Daily Report following the addition of the firm’s 25th lawyer so far in 2018. With approximately 140 lawyers on the Swift Currie team, the firm has become Atlanta’s largest firm focused solely on litigation. After adding 16 attorneys in 2017, the firm has continued to grow quickly and strategically to provide value and results for the diverse litigation needs clients may have.

To read the article in full, click here.

Four attorneys with Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, were recognized in the Bench & Bar section of the June 2018 Georgia Bar Journal. Michael Rosetti was included in the “Kudos” list for his recent election to the board of governors for The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (CWCL), which was established to honor those attorneys who have distinguished themselves in their practice of workers’ compensation. William T. Casey, Jr., Richie Foster and Erica Morton were also included in the publication’s “On the Move” announcements as they recently joined the firm as partners.

To view these announcements in the Georgia Bar Journal, please click here.

On Saturday, June 23, attorneys and family members from Swift Currie volunteered in the 17th annual ServiceJuris community service day. This event brings together members of Atlanta's legal community who lend a hand doing projects in the surrounding areas. Once again, Swift Currie is excited to work with a great organization for a greater cause.