Nick Kinsley, originally from Perry, Georgia, is an associate in the Tifton office of Hall Booth Smith. Nick’s practice is focused in the area of governmental liability and he works as an assistant county attorney for multiple counties in South Georgia. He has also represented counties, cities, and other governmental entities in defense of various claims.
He graduated magna cum laude from University of Georgia and was elected to membership in the Georgia Chapter of the Order of the Coif. While in law school, he worked as a summer law clerk for Martin Snow, LLP in Macon, Georgia, and as an extern for the Rollins, Inc. legal department. He served on the Editorial Board and as an Online Editor of the Georgia Law Review. In addition, he was also a Research Assistant for Professor Hillel Levin. Nick received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia. As a Sports Management major, Nick served as a high school football and tennis coach at Clarke Central High School in Athens.
Experience
General Liability
Nick has represented individuals and entities in a variety of general liability matters, such as premises liability and auto liability.
Governmental Liability
Nick focuses his practice in the area of governmental liability and assists Tony Rowell with his duties as County Attorney for Tift, Ware, and Coffee counties. Nick has provided legal representation at numerous county meetings including Board of Commissioners, Planning and Zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Board of Elections. Nick also assists Brent Hyde in his representation of governmental entities in defense of claims brought under 42 U.S.C. 1983.
Nick has experience in a variety of issues involving local government, including but not limited to:
•Zoning and Land Use Planning
•Inter-Governmental Agreements
•Open Meetings
•Open Records
•Employment Issues
•Human Resource Issues
•Real Property Law
•S.P.L.O.S.T. Law
•Local Ordinances
•Civil Rights
•Contract Law
•Code Enforcement
•Tax Appeals
•Eminent Domain
Labor & Employment
Nick assists with the representation of businesses and local governments in employment disputes including claims alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and state torts such as negligent hiring and retention. Nick also helps advise clients on a wide variety of employment related matters concerning state and federal laws.
Publications
•Recent 7th Circuit Case Illustrates the Two Different Approaches to Deliberate Indifference
HBS Correctional Health Care Blog; October 27, 2016
In the Press
HBS Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Georgia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists
February 16, 2026
HBS is excited to announce that nine attorneys have been recognized on the 2026 Georgia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list.
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
