Counsel

Richard L. Brittain

Rick has represented clients for more than 35 years in a wide variety of litigation and litigation related matters, including litigation and arbitration of business disputes, serious personal injuries and wrongful death claims, insurance issues, church disputes, employment issues, estate litigation and related appeals. His practice includes counseling clients in order to reach optimal outcomes for their disputes, either through litigation, mediation, arbitration or pre-suit resolution.

Biography

Rick has been handling lawsuits and litigation related matters since 1985, when he joined a very active insurance defense firm with a nationwide practice. He gained a wide range of experience defending clients in a broad variety of matters, including automobile liability cases, premises liability cases, employment related disputes, construction disputes and medical malpractice cases.

Rick has expanded his litigation practice since joining the firm 23 years ago. He not only litigates cases, both for plaintiffs and defendants, but he also regularly counsels clients on resolving matters in a positive manner without litigation. Rick is adept at assisting and guiding clients as they navigate uncertain waters that may potentially involve lawsuits, and many of his best results often occur behind the scenes, where his strategic advice and counsel allow clients to avoid litigation altogether or settle on favorable terms before a lawsuit is filed.

Rick regularly represents both individuals and organizations, including for-profit businesses, both large and small, as well as a range of nonprofit organizations, including churches and other ministries. Whether a “mom and pop” startup company, a large multinational organization or an individual facing litigation, Rick provides the benefit of his years of counsel in an understandable, relatable and professional manner.

Rick handles cases of all types, including commercial disputes, estate litigation, personal injury and medical malpractice disputes, products liability and employment related matters. He has both filed and defended claims before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and he has tried cases in Georgia as well as in other states, including California and Florida. Rick has tried numerous jury and bench trials, in both federal and state courts, in large and small cities, and in both urban and rural settings, involving a wide range of matters, from civil rights claims to serious personal injury claims to sophisticated business transactional disputes.

Rick is admitted in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

Rick also regularly counsels churches and ministries as they seek to resolve disputes in a biblical manner. He and his wife have been married for 38 years, have one son, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. They enjoy being involved in their church, where Rick also serves as a bi-vocational pastor.

Experience

Obtained one of the largest judgments in the nation for that particular year when the firm won a hard-fought lawsuit on behalf of business owners who had sold their company to a large business conglomerate. The seven-week trial resulted in a $50+ million judgment.

Represented women who have been the targets of workplace discrimination, successfully negotiating or litigating the discrimination aspects of their claims and has also defended businesses who are the targets of discrimination claims.

Litigated a number of malpractice claims, obtaining recoveries for injured patients as a result of improperly performed procedures, misdiagnoses and improperly prescribed medications.

Successfully defended estates and estate representatives who were alleged to have failed to perform their duties and has also represented beneficiaries of estates and charitable organizations when the beneficiaries had been subjected to mistreatment by the organization’s administrators, executors or trustees.

Litigated against manufacturers of healthcare related products, obtaining substantial recoveries for clients who had been severely injured by improperly manufactured medications and medical devices, including obtaining a seminal decision on drug manufacturers’ liability under Georgia law in our client’s favor.

Litigated, both for plaintiffs and defendants, significant claims involving serious personal injuries due to alleged defects in the property of the owners of commercial and private properties.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

“AV” (highest possible) peer review rating from other attorneys in Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

Valedictorian of college class

Pi Sigma Kappa

Omicron Delta Kappa

Milton M. Ratner Scholarship (University of Georgia School of Law)

Professional and Civic Activities

Rick is a member of Christian Legal Society and has served in a variety of board and officer positions for nonprofit and church organizations, as well as in a number of volunteer and leadership positions within his church.