Government Law

FMG's Government Law Section represents governmental entities, both directly and through their insurers. Hundreds of local governments, including cities, counties, sheriffs, school districts, housing authorities, hospitals, water authorities and development authorities have turned to our attorneys to resolve issues involving virtually every aspect of government liability.

Local Government Representation

FMG's local government practice team serves as general counsel and special litigation counsel for an array of local governments and their officials. Our experience ranges from serving as the primary attorney, such as city or county attorney, to serving as litigation counsel in all types of state and federal court cases.

Civil Rights and Liability Defense

FMG lawyers are nationally recognized for their aggressive, successful defense of governmental entities and officials. We have handled cases involving virtually every aspect of governmental liability and public safety, including land use, zoning, jail conditions, search and seizure, high speed pursuits, sign ordinances and first amendment claims. We have represented clients in a number of significant decisions, including the landmark decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in Scott v. Harris (click to view video).

Education Law

FMG's education law practice team has represented a number of the region's largest universities, private schools and local school districts. Our lawyers have handled all types of claims involving fair dismissal, special education, student discipline, privacy challenges, tenure denials and security issues. Our experience includes defending Georgia's three largest private universities and several of the state's largest school districts in all aspects of local, state and federal education matters.

Governmental Relations and Strategic Advice

FMG's government team includes Bobby Baker, the former Chair of the Georgia Public Service Commission. As an elected state-wide official, Commissioner Baker has nearly two decades of state regulatory and legal experience, including handling matters ranging from billion dollar rate cases to the deregulation of local telephone and natural gas service. The FMG government team represents both private companies and local governments in their relationships with State and Federal authorities. The group also assists clients in strategic planning and regulatory strategy, with a particular focus on energy, telecommunications, technology and transportation issues.

Personnel and Constitutional Law

FMG has one of the region's largest public sector employment practices. Our attorneys routinely handle matters ranging from personnel board, fair dismissal and civil service hearings to federal court litigation involving constitutional claims for violation of federal discrimination laws, deprivation of due process, denial of equal protection and violation of freedom of speech.