Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

Local, state, and federal statutes and ordinances affect public entities and officials in today's society. Our attorneys at Hall Booth Smith provide you with the proper defense you deserve.

About Our Practice

The area of governmental liability law is complex. With all the intricacies of local and state government – fostering business growth; serving the public; enforcing local, state, and federal statutes and ordinances –public entities and officials are targets in today’s litigious society. Their lawyering needs range from litigation prevention to representation once litigation ensues, and that is where Hall Booth Smith can best serve you as our client. HBS attorneys bring a variety of government experience to the table. Our attorneys are active in the court room and the day to day business of local and state government. We offer our clients personal and professional expertise resulting from our legal involvement with various organizations as well as our own experience as government officials.

The voice of our law firm is heard through the individual involvement of our attorneys in serving the people:

• Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District's Basin Advisory Council for the Ocmulgee River Basin and the City of Covington, Georgia's Urban Redevelopment Authority

• City Attorney for the City of Attapulgus and the City of Bogart

• County Attorneys of Madison, Tift, Ware, Decatur, Mitchell, and Coffee, Georgia

• Former peace officers and deputy sheriff

• A P.O.S.T. certified guest instructor

• Frequently speak at continuing education seminars

Ways We Serve You

Our attorneys have handled the entire gamut of claims that can be brought to the governmental arena. Our understanding of the complexities of governmental law is evident in our handling of cases representing individuals as well as cases representing governmental entities. We represent clients in almost every facet of governmental litigation including:

• Law Enforcement
  • Wrongful arrest
  • Excessive force
  • Search and seizure claims
  • Jail issues

• Employment
  • Sexual harassment-Title VII
  • State and federal anti-discrimination laws
    • Gender discrimination-Title IX
    • Racial discrimination

• Local Government Liability
  • Water and infrastructure projects
  • Ordinances and resolutions
  • Contracts
  • Land acquisition for public purposes
  • Statutes and regulations
  • Open meetings and public records
  • Violations of property rights
  • Zoning

• Constitutional deprivations
  • 42 USC 1983
  • First Amendment claims
  • Prisoner rights claims

Outcomes

With professional integrity and skill, HBS lawyers have successfully resolved many cases for our clients through mediation, motion practice, administrative bodies, and both bench and jury trials.

• Received numerous summary judgment rulings for local government entities

• Received a defense jury verdict in an excessive force case involving an officer shooting a fleeing suspect

• Received a defense bench verdict in an excessive force claim against an officer in the apprehension of a parole violator

• Successfully defended a county zoning ordinance challenged on multiple grounds

• Successfully defended numerous entities in front of the EEOC

Since the firm’s inception, HBS has embraced the value of diversity, and we continue to cultivate an environment of inclusion and success for all individuals.  We are committed to a cohesive and productive work environment where our varied cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and perspectives are communicated, understood, and embraced to enrich our employees and best serve our clients.

Our Commitment
Our efforts to enhance our diverse environment are not restricted to minority employees.  Instead, we believe that everyone, regardless of his or her race, age, or gender, must be included in our diversity mission in order to ensure its success.   The firm’s Diversity Committee is comprised of partners and senior staff members who ensure our diversity mission is not just a sentiment but is also a part of the fabric of HBS.     

HBS actively participates in a variety of events and sponsorships geared towards highlighting the importance of diversity, and the firm continuously seeks opportunities to enhance our diversity program.  This includes involvement with organizations such as the Corporate Counsel for Women of Color and the Minority Corporate Counsel of America as well as our internal mentor/protégé program, in which our senior, female and minority attorneys reach out and mentor other women and minority attorneys and clients.