Poncey Highland Lawyers - Tough and Tender

With a busy trial calendar coming up, Poncey-Highland law firm, Moore & Hawthorne, LLC continues to try and strike a balance between a vigorous trial practice and service to the community.

The firm which recently celebrated 21 years in business is a personal injury civil trial firm.  Partners, W. James Moore and Marc D. Hawthorne met in law school, found common ground and formed the practice shortly after law school.

In the early days of the practice, in addition to personal injury, the firm had a significant entertainment law practice.  M&H represented the crème de la crème of Atlanta talent, including r&b/pop superstar Usher, along with other successful artists, such as Akon, Ludacris and Xscape with Kandi Buress and Tiny Cottle.

In 2001, the firm dedicated itself full time to personal injury litigation.  “Trial work is exciting and fulfilling work,” says Attorney Moore.  “We often advocate for the average person against large corporations or insurance companies.  The courtroom is the great equalizer and levels the playing field,” Moore explains.

On the topic of public perception of personal injury lawyers, Attorney Hawthorne says, “When I’m home on a Monday holiday, I am sick of the lawyer t.v. commercials.  The commercials for the most part add to the public perception of ambulance chasing, money grubbing sharks.”  Hawthorne adds, “It is a serious matter for lawyers who actually go to court and try cases, because the juries are tainted.  They come in with the perception of lawyers trying to turn your wreck into a check,” says Hawthorne who has practiced law in Atlanta for 23 years.

The firm believes that service to the community is one way to combat the greedy lawyer perception.

“We have always believed in being a part of the community and giving back to the community,” says Moore.  M&H over the years has participated in seminars to help educate the public, and has made many donations to various local charities.

In 2010, the firm established M&H Foundations, Inc., a non-profit organization designed to centralize its charitable and community service works.  “A large part of what we (M&H) are about is giving back and trying to make a positive difference,” states Hawthorne, who has served on the Dekalb County Youth Diversion Panel for several years.  The foundation has sponsored a teen basketball program, provided support to a food bank, provided assistance for men out of work due to the rough economy and made contributions to a hospital and hospice center.

The foundation in conjunction with the firm, also, established the M&H Client Achievement Scholarship.  Since 2010, the foundation has awarded 5 scholarships to students.  The scholarship is awarded to deserving clients, relatives of clients or someone simply recommended by a client or former client.  Attorney Moore tells us, “It really is a tremendous feeling when students tell you how much the scholarship has meant in furthering their education.”

This year, for the first time, M&H Foundations has created the “We Support HOPE” Book Scholarship.  In recent years the Georgia HOPE scholarship has made cuts, including eliminating the book allowance.  Attorney Hawthorne has two children in college and Moore’s daughter is entering her senior year in college and both know how expensive books can be.  The decision was made to award 10 book scholarships to support HOPE.  The requirements are simple:  attend a Georgia university or college and be HOPE eligible.

The lawyers want to challenge other firms and small businesses to get on board with “We Support HOPE”.  Firms can either start their own book scholarship program, or simply contribute to M&H Foundations’ book scholarship program.

For more information:

Moore & Hawthorne, LLC

212 The Highland Building

675 Seminole Avenue

Atlanta, GA  30307

(404) 817-7665

(404) 817-7656 fax

www.mooreandhawthornelaw.com

info@mooreandhawthornelaw.com