ATLANTA, GA – Governor Brian Kemp has unveiled a comprehensive tort reform package aimed at creating a fairer and more balanced legal environment in Georgia. The proposed reforms could significantly impact defendants in civil cases by addressing key areas of concern, including premises liability, medical damages, and litigation funding. The package seeks to reduce frivolous lawsuits, stabilize insurance costs, and promote a more predictable legal landscape for businesses operating in the state. “As I said in my State of the State address earlier this month, our legal environment is draining family bank accounts and hurting job creators of all sizes in nearly every industry in our state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “After months of listening to our citizens, businesses, and stakeholders across the spectrum, it is clear the status quo is unacceptable, unsustainable, and jeopardizes our state’s prosperity in the years to come. This tort reform package protects the rights of all Georgians to have access to our civil justice system and ensures that those who have been wronged receive justice and are made whole.” Key provisions of the tort reform package include a reevaluation of negligent security standards, focusing liability on areas under direct control of the property owner. The reforms also target “phantom damages” by limiting medical damage claims to actual costs incurred and prohibit “anchoring” tactics in pain and suffering arguments, preventing the use of inflammatory comparisons to influence juries. Furthermore, the package addresses third-party litigation funding, with a specific ban on hostile foreign powers using Georgia’s […]

WACHP congratulates our partner, Hilliard Castilla, on being sworn in as Judge Pro Tem for the State Court of Fayette County. Hilliard will continue practicing with our firm while serving the fine citizens of Fayette County.

Hilliard Castilla recently accepted an invitation to join the Fellows of the American Bar Association.  This honor is limited to one percent of the legal profession in each jurisdiction.  The Fellows comprise a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and to the welfare of their communities.  Fellows are recommended by their peers and elected by the Board of the American Bar foundation, the nation’s leading research institute for the empirical study of law.

Trevor Hiestand of the firm secured a victory in the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in a multi-million dollar policy coverage issue. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of our insurer client in a declaratory judgment action involving complicated issues of leased commercial/motor carrier vehicles and overlapping policy definitions. The result was appealed by the respondents. After extensive briefing and oral argument, the federal appellate court upheld the lower court in a published decision. Grange v. Baisden et al, 1:16-cv-03058-SCJ (11th Cir. 2020).

In compliance with Federal and State guidelines, the attorneys of Waldon Adelman Castilla Hiestand & Prout have transitioned to working remotely for the coming weeks.  Our technology allows us full access to client matters.  All attorneys are available by email and cell phone to assist with ongoing cases, accept new assignments, and advise clients as to the effect of the Georgia Supreme Court’s Statewide Judicial Emergency Order and Governor Brian Kemp’s Executive Order on pending claims and litigation.  When possible and in the best interest of our clients, depositions and other meetings will be held via videoconference.  A skeleton staff will be physically present on a rotating basis to process mail and execute essential in-office operations.  Upon request, we will hold invoices for ninety (90) days on new litigation matters received during the pandemic in an effort to ease cashflow for existing and new clients. Waldon Adelman Castilla Hiestand & Prout is dedicated to protecting the health of our firm members, clients, and community.   We look forward to seeing everyone back together as soon as we are assured it is safe to return.

We are pleased to announce that Becky Gabelman has been elected to partnership in the firm.  Becky has been instrumental to our firm’s success and is a vital part of our future.

DCP Cobb County Win – Daily Report Article

WACHP attorneys spent their Saturday offering pro bono work at the Saturday Lawyer’s Program with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.  Attorneys spent time meeting with participants, counseling those participants, and drafting documents on behalf of Metro Atlanta residents.  They provided advice on unpaid wage and landlord-tenant disputes.  At the conclusion of the day, many of the participating attorneys agreed to formally continue their representation of these participants. WACHP encourages partners and associates to give back to the community through its ongoing pro bono and community service program.  For more information about WACHP’s Pro Bono and Community Service Program, please contain our program chair, Celeste Noelle Gaines, Esq. at cgaines@waldonadelman.com.

The Funding Company Predicament 

WACHP is proud to announce that Adam P. Smith has been named a partner at the firm.