S. Diane Clair Esq
Property Lawyer
Attorney S. Diane Clair is an Atlanta native that knows the city and metro counties very well. She received her Bachelors degree from Georgia State University and her Juris Doctor degree from Florida A&M University College of Law. Diane Clair has court room and trial experience and is also great at negotiating resolutions outside the courtroom. She is admitted to practice law as a member of the Georgia Bar as well as the Georgia Court of Appeals, United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia and Middle District of Georgia. Attorney Clair is also a Professor in the Paralegal Program for Kennesaw State University.
- Real Estate & Property Law
- Wills, Trusts, Estates, & Probate
- Business & Contracts
Harold A. Hudson, Esq.
Property Lawyer
As with every client, our attorneys take the time to learn about your unique situation and provide you with a thorough, personal consultation in a straightforward manner. The Hudson Law Firm attorneys and staff professionals build lasting client relationships because, along with professional advocacy, we deliver true client value.
The way that we work for our clients is a direct reflection on us as people outside of the work place. Our attorneys and staff professionals are long-standing, active members of the communities in which we live. We, and our families, are involved in and support numerous civic, charitable and religious organizations and have deep ties to the metropolitan Atlanta area.
The senior principal of The Hudson Law Firm is Harold A. Hudson. Harold leads the firm’s strategic planning practice and concentrates in the areas of real estate law, business law, tax law, asset protection and estate planning. Harold is a problem solver. He advises clients in the following areas: Business Planning; Entity Selection and Formation; Contract Drafting; Purchase and Sale of Businesses and Real Estate; Partnership, Operating and Shareholder Agreements; Estate Planning and Administrations; Tax Planning; Asset Protection; Tax Controversies; Estate Administration; Trusts; Landlord and Tenant Disputes; and Tax-Exempt Organizations.
Harold received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Georgia and his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. In addition to a law degree, Harold completed a 4th year of law school to obtain the highly regarded Masters in Tax Law degree (LL.M. in Taxation) from New York University School of Law. As a tax professional, Mr. Hudson brings a unique skill set to the legal work he accomplishes for our clients. He has been helping clients plan for success and solve problems for over 27 years.
Mr. Hudson is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Tennessee and is admitted to practice in the United States Tax Court. Mr. Hudson is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, and the Real Property & Probate and Asset Protection Sections of the American Bar Association.
Mark A. Calhoun
Property Lawyer
Mark grew up on Florida’s space coast and served aboard a destroyer in the U.S. Navy. Subsequently, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Christendom College, Front Royal, Virginia in 1999. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2009 and has been practicing law ever since. He is active in his church and helps teach Sunday School.
Mark is a part of our real estate law division at the firm.
At Brian M. Douglas & Associates LLC our goal is to help our clients with compassion in order to make the process of completing an estate plan or dealing with the stress of administering the estate of loved one as easy as possible. Our goal is to have every client leave our office feeling less stressed and grateful they took the steps to hire our firm to assist them with their legal needs.
Sasan Nematbakhsh Esq.
Property Lawyer
Attorney Sasan Nematbakhsh received his bachelors of Science in Biochemistry from Kennesaw State University and is a graduate of Georgia State University College of Law in 2016. He began his real estate career in 2012 in commercial real estate syndication and subsequently entered commercial real estate development business. He specializes in real estate acquisition, real estate development and finance, civil litigation and investment immigration.
Sasan is also a mediator, currently serving as the past Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of State Bar of Georgia. In his free time, Sasan likes spending time with family, friends and his dog Tehran. Having visited 25 countries, he is an avid backpacker.
Serving across Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Marietta, Griffin, Cartersville, Woodstock, Milton, Lawrenceville, Smyrna, Cumberland, Alpharetta, Acworth, Suwanee, Decatur, Buford, Sugar Hill, Cumming, Fayetteville, LaGrange, Newnan, Conyers, Loganville, Douglasville, Rockdale County, Jonesboro, Hapeville, and the surrounding areas.
Todd Bair
Property Lawyer
Todd Bair has more than twenty years of experience representing companies and their leadership in the fields of commercial/corporate transactions, technology, corporate finance and restructuring, real estate, probate and estate, and nonprofit organizations.
Todd brings a wealth of business and legal acumen to each client’s needs having worked at large Atlanta law firms, a boutique law firm, and several years as general counsel and head of operations for an early-stage software company. In law and in business, he provides a depth and breadth of experience that allows him to strongly and effectively advocate while always pursuing cost-efficient solutions for his clients.
Todd received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.A. from Emory University. After law school, he clerked for Judge H. Clyde Pearson, former Chief Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Virginia.
Tanya Nebo
Property Lawyer
I am the primary attorney at the Nebo Law Firm. I have a heart for small business owners, I am a straight-shooter, and . . . I’ll tell you the truth. I’m compassionate, but I don’t sugarcoat. I aim to provide you with the support, guidance, and practical solutions you need to bring your business goals to fruition or expand the vision you already have.
My parents are immigrants from Liberia, West Africa. When I was 3 years old, they started a beauty supply business in St. Paul, Minnesota, a business that still exists today. I grew up seeing the benefits of small business and learning that entrepreneurship is the game changer. The game changer. It is the leveler of the playing field. It requires dedication and a ton of sacrifice. I know the value of entrepreneurship first-hand and have created a business and law practice that focuses on supporting those who create and build.
I’ve known since law school that I like to “do deals.” I’m not interested in being in court or engaging in fights that don’t produce significant results. I am an attorney who likes to bring people together to negotiate and to make money. It’s that simple.
A graduate of Columbia University in New York and the University of Virginia School of Law, I began my legal career as a commercial real estate paralegal for a mid-sized law firm in Atlanta. After passing the bar exam, I became a commercial real estate lawyer for a large law firm, Holland & Knight, in Atlanta, Georgia. I then spent several years working for a commercial real estate technology firm, which was acquired by CoStar. While at the technology company, I developed Nebo Law Firm as a side hustle (yes, I know how it is to work full-time while building something “on the side”). After leaving the technology company in 2012, I became the primary, full-time attorney at Nebo Law Firm.
Brandon Hornsby
Property Lawyer
Known as a “fearless advocate” and “champion of the underdog,” Atlanta lawyer Brandon Hornsby has extensive experience representing the victims of serious personal injury, civil rights violations, and whistleblowers.
More than anything else, Hornsby is known for getting results.
Some of his career highlights include:
- Serving as lead counsel in over 100 jury trials
- Certification as a Multi-Million Dollar Advocate based on his achievement of multiple multi-million dollar personal injury recoveries for his clients
- Securing the largest medical malpractice verdict in the history of Fayette County, Georgia
- Exonerating former University of Georgia Dean John Soloski who was falsely accused of sexual harassment by his university in Athens, Georgia
- Representing sheriff’s deputy Cynthia Hall, who was brutally attacked and left with a brain injury during the 2005 Atlanta Courthouse Shootings in Atlanta, Georgia
- Representing John and the late Patsy Ramsey, who were falsely accused of murdering their daughter, JonBenét Ramsey in Bolder, Colorado
- Representing the late Richard Jewell, the Olympic security guard who was wrongfully accused of planting a pipe bomb during the 1996 Centennial Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia
At the outset of his career, Hornsby served as a state and federal prosecutor. Hornsby quickly developed a reputation for excellence in the courtroom, particularly his examination of witnesses and his moving opening and closing arguments.
During his public service, in which Hornsby handled many of Atlanta’s highest profile murder cases, he never lost a murder case. He also became the youngest attorney in Georgia history to be named Georgia’s Assistant District Attorney of the Year.
Since entering private practice, Hornsby has developed a history of fighting for the rights of a wide range of clients, all of whom are united in their status as the underdog:
- Victims who experience serious personal injury and medical neglect
- Citizens who suffer civil rights violations through discrimination, retaliation, or government misconduct
- Whistleblowers who put their careers on the line to bravely expose corruption
Hornsby has been recognized as one of Georgia’s top 100 trial attorneys, one of Georgia’s 40 rising stars under 40 years-of-age by Georgia Trend Magazine and selected by the Fulton County Daily Report as one of Georgia’s top 10 lawyers on the rise. As a result of his courtroom success, Hornsby has been featured as a legal expert on numerous television programs including Atlanta’s NBC, ABC and CBS affiliates, as well as CNN, ESPN, Court TV and National Public Radio.
Profiled by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hornsby has been described as a dedicated and tenacious advocate for victims whose courtroom skills make onlookers “want to cheer.” Hornsby’s trial work was described as “restoring faith” by the Clayton News Daily and “commendable” by the Albany Herald. When asked about the inspiring nature of his advocacy, a former client of Hornsby’s explained: Brandon “gave me a hand up off my knees in a time of great spiritual doubt and allowed me to stand up for my rights and convictions.”
Riah Greathouse, Esq.
Property Lawyer
Since being admitted to practice law in the State of Georgia, Riah Winston Greathouse has been counsel of record in over 5000+ criminal and civil matters throughout the state with a high rate of success. Mr. Greathouse earned his undergraduate degree at Hampton University and his law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, where he graduated in the Top 10% of his law school class. During his law school tenure, he gained invaluable experience with internships with Judge Clarence Cooper of the United States District Court in the Northern District of Georgia, as well as Chief Judge Myra H. Dixon of the State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. The respective judicial internships allowed him to gain a keen insight on the method in which judges operate, and how many of them expect attorneys to be prepared when appearing on clients’ behalf.
Following law school, Mr. Greathouse joined a premier DUI defense firm, where he zealously represented numerous individuals charged with DUI. While representing DUI clients, Mr. Greathouse earned his certification in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DUI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, and attended the National College for DUI Defense at Harvard. Mr. Greathouse has also served his community as an Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, Georgia for several years, where he prosecuted cases ranging from drugs to violent felonies throughout the county. His service as a prosecutor yielded a tremendous amount of courtroom experience, which allows him to attack cases with tenacity, often times proving to be beneficial in securing a favorable resolution. After leaving the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Greathouse joined a nationally recognized plaintiff’s firm, where he represented injured victims as well as estates on behalf of decedents in wrongful death actions.
Property Negligence in Swimming Pool Accidents in Georgia
Swimming pools are a common feature in many homes and communities across Georgia, providing a source of recreation and relaxation. However, they also pose significant risks, particularly if property owners fail to uphold safety standards. Property negligence in swimming pool accidents can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Understanding the legal implications of such incidents is crucial for both property owners and victims. This article explores the concept of property negligence in swimming pool accidents in Georgia, outlining the responsibilities of pool owners, the legal framework surrounding these incidents, and common questions related to this topic.
Understanding Property Negligence
Property negligence occurs when a property owner fails to maintain a safe environment for visitors, leading to accidents or injuries. In the context of swimming pools, this negligence can take many forms, including inadequate safety measures, failure to maintain equipment, or lack of supervision.
Premises Liability
In Georgia, premises liability law holds property owners accountable for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions. This legal principle mandates that pool owners must ensure their pools are safe for all lawful visitors. This includes:
- Proper Fencing: Pool owners are required to install secure fencing around their pools to prevent unauthorized access, especially by children.
- Maintenance: Pools must be regularly maintained, including cleaning and ensuring that all equipment (like ladders and diving boards) is in good working order.
- Signage: Clear signage indicating pool rules, depth markers, and safety warnings must be displayed prominently.
- Supervision: Adequate supervision is necessary, particularly in public pools or during gatherings at private pools.
Failure to adhere to these standards can result in liability for any injuries that occur as a result.
The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine
Georgia law recognizes swimming pools as “attractive nuisances,” which means they can attract children who may not understand the dangers associated with them. The attractive nuisance doctrine imposes a heightened duty of care on property owners to protect children from foreseeable dangers, even if the children trespass on the property. This means that if a child is injured in an unsecured pool area, the owner may be held liable for those injuries.
Implications for Pool Owners
To mitigate liability risks associated with pool accidents involving children, pool owners should take proactive measures:
- Install Secure Fencing: A locked fence around the pool area can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Use Pool Covers: A cover can provide an additional layer of security when the pool is not in use.
- Educate Children: Property owners should educate children about pool safety and enforce rules regarding supervision.
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents
Several factors can contribute to swimming pool accidents, including:
- Slippery Surfaces: Wet surfaces around the pool can lead to slips and falls.
- Defective Equipment: Broken ladders or faulty diving boards can cause serious injuries.
- Inadequate Supervision: Lack of adult supervision increases the risk of drowning or other accidents.
- Diving into Shallow Water: Failing to heed depth markers can lead to severe injuries.
Seeking Compensation for Pool Accidents
If you or someone you know has been injured in a swimming pool accident due to property negligence, it’s essential to understand your rights. Victims may pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the injury. To succeed in a claim:
- Establish Negligence: You must demonstrate that the property owner failed to meet their duty of care.
- Document Evidence: Gather evidence such as photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical records.
- Consult an Attorney: An experienced personal injury attorney can help navigate the complexities of premises liability claims and advocate for your rights.
FAQ Section
What constitutes property negligence in swimming pool accidents?
Property negligence occurs when a pool owner fails to maintain safe conditions around their swimming pool, leading to accidents or injuries. This includes inadequate fencing, poorly maintained equipment, lack of signage, or insufficient supervision.
Is Georgia a comparative negligence state?
Yes, Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are partially at fault for your injury (e.g., ignoring safety signs), your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Can I sue if I was injured at a public swimming pool?
Yes, you can sue if you were injured at a public swimming pool due to negligence. However, claims against government-operated pools may be more challenging due to governmental immunity protections.
What should I do immediately after a swimming pool accident?
After an accident:
- Seek medical attention for any injuries.
- Document the scene by taking photos and gathering witness information.
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager.
- Consult with a personal injury attorney for legal advice.
Are there time limits for filing a claim after a swimming pool accident?
Yes, Georgia has a statute of limitations that generally allows two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim. It’s essential to act promptly and consult an attorney as soon as possible.
How can I prove negligence in my case?
To prove negligence:
- Show that the property owner had a duty of care.
- Demonstrate that they breached that duty (e.g., failed to maintain safe conditions).
- Establish that this breach directly caused your injury.
Conclusion
Property negligence in swimming pool accidents is a serious issue in Georgia that requires awareness from both property owners and visitors alike. Understanding legal responsibilities and potential liabilities can help prevent accidents and ensure safer environments around swimming pools. If you find yourself involved in an incident related to swimming pools, seeking legal counsel is crucial for navigating potential claims effectively. By taking proactive measures and understanding your rights under premises liability law, individuals can better protect themselves and others while enjoying Georgia’s beloved swimming pools.