OUR ATTORNEYS
In over 32 years of practice J.R. Hanks has represented hundreds of companies and individuals in lawsuits throughout Georgia and the Southeast. He has tried cases at every level of state court in Georgia and the Federal District Courts, and in front of numerous arbitration panels. He has 100% success rate arguing cases in the Georgia appellate courts, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Mississippi.
J.R.’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, national insurance carriers, private companies of all sizes, and individuals. He serves as regional tender counsel for the fourth largest retailer in the United States. He has been designated by the Georgia Attorney General as a Special Assistant Attorney General.
J.R.’s practice is as varied as his clients. He has represented clients in matters arising from just about every type of claim imaginable including those involving wrongful death, serious bodily injury, negligent security, premises liability, automobile accidents, product liability, construction defects, DRAM Shop, copyright and trademark infringement, and numerous others. He is often called upon by insurance carriers to provide opinions on coverage and to represent them in declaratory judgment actions. J.R. is a frequent speaker on current legal trends and topics related to premises liability, commercial liability, and negligent security.
J.R. is also a registered mediator and arbitrator. He is on the panel of NAM, National Arbitration and Mediation, a leading alternative dispute resolution firm in the United States for over 30 years. His experience and broad areas of practice make him an ideal choice to help parties amicably resolve disputes.
J.R. has an AV Preeminent rating through Martindale-Hubbell which signifies that his peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence and legal knowledge. He has also been recognized as a “Top Lawyer” and “Lawyer of Distinction.” His memberships include the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, the Atlanta Bar Association, and the Atlanta Claims Association, among others.
J.R. is a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law where he was on the Moot Court Board and Mock Trial Board. He represented the University of Georgia in the International Moot Court Competition and the Intrastate Mock Trial Competition. He received his bachelor’s degree from Sewanee: The University of the South in 1984. J.R. is actively involved in his community and believes in giving back. He and his wife, Mary, serve on various boards and committees at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, The Cathedral of St. Philip, and Northside Youth Organization, among others. J.R. is currently serving on the board of Camp Merrie-Woode in Sapphire, North Carolina. He also supports Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Atlanta, The Atlanta Community Food Bank, and the Emmaus House, which works to improve the economic and social well-being of the residents of Peoplestown and surrounding neighborhoods. J.R. and Mary have two children, Cole and Anna Carr.
For over 16 years, Brandon Day has successfully defended companies and individuals in a wide range of matters including premises liability, construction defects, negligent security, serious bodily injury, wrongful death, and motor vehicle accidents. Brandon has extensive experience representing one of the largest national retail chains in enforcing the indemnity provisions of its vendor contracts, and representing other businesses in commercial litigation, including contract disputes and asset recovery actions.
Brandon has successfully tried cases at every level of state court in Georgia and in the U.S. District Courts. Having represented hundreds of companies and individuals in lawsuits throughout Georgia and across the Southeast, Brandon brings extensive litigation experience and expertise to his clients.
Brandon earned his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Brandon worked with the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic providing legal services to low-income taxpayers with federal tax issues. Brandon received the College of Law’s Public Service Award for his work on the Fulton County Jail Project, which was designed to assist indigent inmates and improve conditions at the jail. Brandon obtained his undergraduate degree from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, where he managed the school’s student run television and radio stations and sat on the college President’s Student Advisory Committee.
Brandon believes in the power of community and in giving back. He continues to volunteer his time and legal expertise to indigent individuals and to non-profits.
Brandon grew up in metro-Atlanta and was a graduate of Brookwood High School. He currently resides in Dunwoody with his son. Brandon is admitted to all Georgia state courts and U.S. District Courts. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the Atlanta Bar Association.
Mary Hanks’ unique background brings an added dimension to Hanks Law Group.
Mary began her career as a criminal prosecutor. She was the first female Assistant District Attorney in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit. From there she served in the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office, and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, where she worked for legendary District Attorney Lewis Slaton. During her time as a prosecutor, Mary successfully tried over 100 cases to verdict, and handled numerous appeals.
After her successful career as a prosecutor, Mary changed gears and became the Chief Financial Officer and general manager of a top-tier periodontal practice. For over 25 years Mary oversaw all aspects of the practice including HIPAA and OSHA compliance, retirement plans, employment issues, insurance requirements, and vendor contracts.
Mary is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association, the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, and the Diversity Law Institute whose purpose and mission is to advance the interests of women and minorities in the profession and to aid in the administration of justice wherever possible. She has been recognized as a “Lawyer of Distinction” for her litigation ability and service to her clients.
Mary is a lifetime resident of Atlanta. She obtained her undergraduate degree in International Business from The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, and her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. Outside of work, Mary has served on the Athletic Board of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (where she started and coached the varsity diving team), the Board of the Cathedral Antiques Show, and the Board of A Million Matters, a charitable organization that has supported numerous non-profit outreach programs in metro-Atlanta for over 25 years.