NEWSLETTER
· SUMMER 2015
· S AVA N N A H, G A
Optional Text, Serious Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Nursing Home
Negligence, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability
102 EAST LIBERTY STREET
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8TH FLOOR
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S AVA N N A H G A 31401
W W W. S A V A G E L A W F I R M . N E T
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SAVAGE
TURNER
PINCKNEY
NEWS & VIEWS
HAVE YOU BEEN
TO SEE US LATELY?
We’ve moved! Now on the 8th floor of the restored Drayton Tower building,
the views over our beautiful city are worth a visit.
ON THE RISE:
verdicts, headlines, & awards
Brent Savage, Jr. earned recognition as one of Georgia’s Top 40 Lawyers
Under 40. The Daily Report, Georgia’s leading daily legal publication
published news of the award. In September, Brent will join this year’s class
of “On the Rise” lawyers as honorees of the annual dinner hosted by The
Peachtree Club in Atlanta.
The award comes just a few months after Brent’s impressive $310,000 jury
verdict in DeKalb County over a commercial land dispute.
Congratulations, Brent!
ANDY CONN ATTENDS AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE
CONFERENCE
This year’s conference in Montreal featured seminars by many of the
top trial attorneys in the country. Seminars covered critical topics in
trial techniques and strategy. “We’re encouraged to see what Andy is
accomplishing already.” says Brent Savage.
GEORGIA SUPREME COURT SIDES
WITH THE PLAINTIFF IN A MEDICAL
MALPRACTICE CASE
The lesson here: “Don’t give up,” says plaintiff’s lead counsel, Brent J.
Savage. This good news for our client, who suffered traumatic injuries and
incurred over $500,000 in medical expenses, comes after two unfavorable
rulings by lower courts. “The Supreme Court did their job here, which is to
set a standard so people don’t get ambushed.” Want to know more? Flip to
the article that appeared on the front page of the Daily Report.
ANDY PHOTO
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“Josh has all the tools necessary to be a very effective trial lawyer.
With his diligent work ethic and raw talent, we expect Josh to be an
immediate asset for the firm and our clients around Georgia.”
BRENT J. SAVAGE, PARTNER
“We’re impressed by the skills that Josh already possesses.
He will be a great addition to our team.”
BART TURNER, PARTNER
SAVAGE, TURNER & PINCKNEY WELCOMES JOSH DORMINY
MEET JOSH
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS?
Football is my first love. My dad played for UGA and coached high school. I was fortunate
to compete for Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. On Friday we root for the McIntosh
County Buccaneers; Saturday is all about the Bulldogs; and Sunday we pull for the Jaguars.
I’m also a die-hard Braves fan.
YOU’RE A BULLDOG, NO DOUBT. BUT TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT
YOUR CONNECTIONS TO GEORGIA?
Georgia is the only home I have ever known, and I have no plans to ever leave.
I was born in Greensboro, Ga. My family moved around quite a bit but we always stayed in
Georgia. I’ve lived all over the state (Darien, Dublin, Cordele, Dahlonega, and the Golden Isles).
WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD?
I’m a big fan of rock music but will listen to just about anything. Coheed and Cambria is
definitely my favorite band overall. I’m also a big fan of live music so I am always on the hunt
for good festivals and concerts.
TELL US ABOUT SOME PEOPLE, PLACES,
AND EVENTS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED YOU?
Playing football for so many years has had a dramatic impact on my life so far. But it’s really
the people that have made the most lasting impacts. My high school coach, Robby Robinson,
made me tough and taught me how to get through anything.
After you make it through the twelfth 200-yard sprint after a two-hour practice in the South
Georgia heat, you start to think you can make it through just about anything. My college
coaches, Phil Jones and Tim Mathis, instilled in me the importance of relationships—first
with God—but also with my teammates, colleagues, and friends.
Most of all, however, my father has been there every step of the way. He has always been
there to pick me up when something didn’t go my way and push me to be better.
EDUCATION
University of Georgia
School of Law
Juris Doctor
Shorter University
Bachelor of Arts
Student-Athlete
EXPERIENCE
Hall Booth Smith, Brunswick
Judge C. Jean Bolin, McIntosh
County Juvenile Court
Public Citizen, Washington, D.C.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
McIntosh County DFCS
Guardian Ad Litem
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GEORGIA
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW HER?
Legendary pieces of our story—past and present
Q: Dubbed the father of Bulldog
football, this former head coach
doubled as a chemistry professor and
introduced the game to his students.
Who is he?
A: Dr. Charles Herty, Head Coach, 1892
Q: It’s a ridge that runs right through
downtown Atlanta and then east
through Decatur. What is it and why is
it important?
A: It’s the generally unknown Eastern
Continental Divide. It makes rainwater falling
on the south and east of it run into the Atlantic
Ocean. The rainwater on the north and west
run into the Gulf of Mexico.
Q: After amassing 165 wins at the helm
of Georgia Tech’s football squad, this
former All-American QB at Tennessee
reportedly gave up golf after losing a
round (and $700) to Fred Hooper. Can
you name this legendary coach?
and civil rights legend?
A: Jackie Robinson
A: The Centennial Tower
Q: Born in Cedartown, Georgia, this
country music singer and songwriter
signed with the Kansas City Chiefs but
then left the NFL to pursue his music
career. Who decided to try something
else?
Q: Elected to the World Golf Hall of
Fame, this Savannah-native won four
major championships and 18 LPGA
Tour events, including three victories
at US Women’s Open. Who is she?
A: Sam Hunt
A: Hollis Stacy
Q: QB and Captain of the 1981 Georgia
Bulldogs, this Valdosta-native
completed one of the longest passing
touchdowns in school history with a
93-yard toss to Lindsay Scott on the
way to defeating the Florida Gators in
1980. Which legendary Georgia Bulldog
earned those honors? Hint: You might
see his sister, Beth, if you visit our
office in downtown Savannah. She’s
been on board with us since 2010.
Q: More than 80 bands from around the
country take part in this new Savannah
tradition, a three-day music festival
in the storied historic district. What’s
another wonderful reason to visit
Savannah every year in March?
A: Benjamin Franklin “Buck” Belue
A: Bobby Dodd, 1945-1966
Q: Once earning ESPN’s recognition
in 1986 as the Number 1 nickname
(“Syrupmakers”) for a high school
sports team, Cairo, Georgia is perhaps
most widely known for which baseball
located near The Varsity in Atlanta.
What did they build?
Q: Savannah-native and standout
football player and former NFL tight
end for the Falcons, Taz Anderson also
helped commemorate the 1996 Summer
Olympics with a permanent fixture
A: Savannah Stopover Music Festival
Q: This Savannah-born songwriter
wrote the lyrics to more than 1,500
songs during his famed career,
eventually winning four Academy
Awards. Now prominently featured in
Ellis Square, his hometown dedicated a
statue in his name. Who is he?
A: Johnny Mercer
SAVAGE
TURNER
PINCKNEY
LOCAL ROOTS,
DEEP CONNECTIONS
Legendary pieces of our story—past and present
At first glance, returning to Savannah to practice law seems rather familiar to Brent
Savage, Jr. But expectations are high, and the learning curve—at first—seems quite steep.
“I found out early that trial lawyers need to be quick to adapt,” Savage says.
Savage, 33, says he began seriously considering a career and raising a family in Savannah
during law school. Brent and his wife, Laura Elizabeth, along with their two children,
live on Whitemarsh Island.
Working and learning under a lawyer with thirty years or so experience and several
verdicts under his belt started to sound like a pretty good deal. And, he says with a smile,
“the lawyer happens to be my father. He’s a great teacher.”
The father and son team have recently won a $3.1 million verdict and a $1.5 million
verdict, among many other favorable settlements on behalf of clients around the state.
Like Savage, Billy Otto returned to his hometown to launch his practice after seven
years in Macon, Georgia. Otto, 30, has already served as co-counsel in a case that earned
one of the largest verdicts in the history of Bryan County, Georgia, as well as a Chatham
County verdict over $1.8 million, among many other favorable settlements.
His expertise extends far beyond the courtroom, however. When it comes to Georgia
history, music, or local tales, Billy has it covered. Famous for his private ghost tours,
Otto coordinates many of the activities inside and outside the office for the summer
associates or new hires.
“The relationships I’ve developed here will last for my entire career—probably beyond,”
Billy says.
Andrew “Andy” Conn gradated from Paul M. Dorman High School in Spartanburg,
South Carolina before attending the University of Georgia. He stayed in Athens another
three years while earing his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.
But Andy’s Savannah roots run deep (and his Bulldog bloodlines even deeper). Andy’s
father, Dick Conn, also attended UGA before spending six seasons in the N.F.L.
“Returning to practice where my family has so much history is a special feeling,” Andy
says. “Savannah feels like home to me.”
We’re proud to continue serving our clients in Savannah and across Georgia. It’s our home.
Left to right: Attorneys Brent Savage, Jr.,
Andy Conn. Standing: Billy Otto. |
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DID YOU
KNOW?
OUR CLIENTS
GET RESULTS
Since 1993:
A snapshot of some notable cases
around the state
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Our attorneys have tried
HUNDREDS of cases in counties
across Georgia.
Verdicts and settlements in favor
of our clients total more than $430
million.
Our clients come from all over
the world. Their walks of life are
as diverse as the cases that we
handle. And we’re proud to tell
their stories.
We’ve represented more than
4,000 people in some of the most
critical moments of their lives.
We represent pilots, soldiers,
doctors, nurses, parents,
grandparents, children, students,
mechanics, accountants, builders,
athletes, and longshoremen, just to
name a handful.
We represent Georgia business
owners. In 2009, a Brunswick
jury awarded our client, Douglas
Asphalt Company, $150 million.
SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY
Our client was rear-ended by another vehicle and suffered serious and permanent
injuries. The result: Bryan County jury verdict: $8,600,000.00
A driver who failed to stop at a red light struck our client, a Savannah resident,
causing serious injuries. The result: Chatham County jury verdict: $1,863,453.52
WRONGFUL DEATH
Our attorneys handled a case that earned one of the largest verdicts in the state of
Georgia involving the wrongful death of a child.
In another case, we recovered $3,500,000.00 against a drunk driver and the
establishment that served the drinks on behalf of our client.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
We recovered a $6,000,000 settlement on behalf of our client in a case dealing
with improper resuscitation of an infant in a hospital nursery.
CLASS ACTION
Our attorneys handled a case involving the highest number of claimants ever
certified in a Georgia class action suit.
ENVIRONMENTAL CASES
Our firm helped recover the largest collective action settlement in an
environmental case in Georgia’s history.
SECURITIES & BANKING
Early this year our attorneys secured a favorable settlement against one of the most
powerful and widely recognized banks. Before trial, we uncovered more than
25,000 missing documents that were not turned over to our client, a Savannah
resident.
FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES
United States of America v. Winston Peterson
Brent J. Savage, along with co-counsel Alex Zipperer and Eric Gotwalt, represented
Sheriff Peterson and fought to earn a favorable verdict.
Valdosta Jury Verdict: Not Guilty
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