- GuardianshipEllie also has experience with a wide range of elder law matters including guardianships and conservatorships and is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to represent veterans in their applications for benefits. She is a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.
- Corporate LawChris Collins focuses his practice on corporate law, where he enjoys assisting clients of all sizes and industry types with their general corporate matters, such as general contract review, entity formation, corporate governance, and entity reorganization. In addition, Chris has significant experience with mergers and acquisitions, both in assisting clients through all phases of the process of selling their business and assisting strategic purchasers and private equity clients with acquisitions. Prior to joining the firm, Chris worked at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP in Atlanta, GA.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsGreg focuses his practice in commercial real estate, where he enjoys representing operators, investors and developers of all sizes in all phases of commercial real estate, including acquisitions, dispositions, development, joint ventures and related loan closings as well as providing leasing services for landlords and tenants. His practice encompasses numerous industries and property types, including, retail, office, medical, multi-family, industrial, and timber and other natural resources. Greg also has significant experience representing clients with entity formations, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and commercial matters.
- Business DisputesWade is a transactional attorney specializing in tax law, business law and estate planning. Wade has spent his entire professional career at Fortson, Bentley and Griffin. Wade was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended the Westminster Schools. While at UGA, Wade was a member of the University of Georgia’s Ballroom (Dance) Performance Group. He has lived in the Athens area since 1997 and presently resides in Maxeys, Georgia.
- Real Estate LitigationEmily Escoe is a transactional attorney specializing in corporate law and commercial real estate law. Emily concentrates her practice on business representation, entity formation, corporate governance, general contract review, and acquisitions and dispositions of businesses. She also has significant experience advising landlords and tenants on commercial and residential leasing matters.
- Real Estate TransactionsMike has practiced with Fortson, Bentley & Griffin, P.A. since August of 1999. His practice focuses on residential and commercial real estate purchase and sales, loan closings, leasing transactions, real estate development, land use and zoning. Mike also serves as general counsel for Jackson EMC, Walton EMC and the Athens Area Association of Realtors.
- Eminent DomainDavid Ellison has practiced law in the Athens-area throughout his career with an emphasis on business, property, and estate litigation. David regularly represents commercial and residential landlords, property owners associations, builders, developers, and homeowners seeking to protect their property rights or assert their legal remedies. He frequently represents property owners regarding easements, right of ways and covenants and title disputes. David’s practice area includes zoning, land use, eminent domain, and municipal liability. Few attorneys in Northeast Georgia have a similar track record and experience representing property owners in stormwater runoff and nuisance cases. In addition to real estate litigation, David’s practice includes commercial litigation, partnership disputes, restrictive covenants, and general business litigation. David also represents fiduciaries, heirs, beneficiaries and incapacitated adults with Trusts, Estates, Guardianships and Conservatorships.
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Personal InjuryJohnelle Simpson focuses his practice in the areas of business and commercial litigation, real estate litigation, probate litigation, employment matters, guardianships/conservatorships, personal injury, and general civil litigation.
- Estate PlanningLindsey Woodard focuses her practice in estate planning and estate administration. She enjoys working with clients to develop an individualized, comprehensive estate plan and regularly drafts documents such as wills, trust agreements, powers of attorney and health care directives. Lindsey also assists clients with matters involving taxation, special needs planning, asset protection strategies and business succession planning. She is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.
- Wills
- TrustsEllie regularly drafts wills, powers of attorney and trust agreements, including special needs trusts. She also coordinates estate plans with accountants and other advisors to maximize income tax benefits and ensure proper distribution of non-probate assets through account designations and real property deeds. In addition, Ellie advises clients on the administration of complex estates and trusts and can assist both individual and corporate fiduciaries with a variety of administration tasks including probate, distribution agreements, trust modifications, trust termination, and filing estate tax returns.
- Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Tax LawOur team includes attorneys and certified public accountants with expertise in federal and international tax issues. In addition to Georgia, we also have attorneys who are licensed to practice in South Carolina and Alabama.