Donna S. Hix
Biography
Donna S. Hix is a partner in the Columbus office of Hall Booth Smith. A Georgia native, Donna has resided in the Columbus area for over 28 years. Donna is a trial lawyer who has specialized in all areas of family and domestic relations law, from complex and high assets divorce cases to contentious child custody matters, as well as child support, alimony and spousal support, post-divorce modifications, legitimation and paternity, contempt actions, prenuptial agreements, and post-nuptial agreements. She has the ability, versatility, and expertise to handle complicated litigation in family law cases as well as uncontested and simple divorces. Donna represents her clients with the utmost professionalism and discretion, be it in negotiations or litigation. Donna also is a registered mediator.
Donna serves as an elected member to the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia and is a Past President of the Columbus Bar Association. She is actively involved in the local community, serving as board member of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, board member of the House of Time, and as a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Downtown Columbus, and United Way.
Donna is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated™ by Martindale-Hubbell and is licensed to practice in Georgia and Alabama. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and received her Juris Doctor from Mercer University.
Experience
Donna is a certified civil law mediator and family law mediator in both Georgia and Alabama and is an arbitrator in Georgia.
Donna’s litigation practice includes experience representing clients involved in business and contract disputes.
Donna specializes in all areas of family and domestic relations law, from complex and high assets divorce cases to contentious child custody matters, as well as child support, alimony and spousal support, post-divorce modifications, legitimation and paternity, contempt actions, prenuptial agreements, and post-nuptial agreements. She has the ability, versatility, and expertise to handle complicated litigation family cases, as well as uncontested and simple divorces.
- Dell / EMC Corporation Merger Litigation: Co-lead counsel for Dell Inc. and its affiliates in connection with litigation in state and federal courts in Massachusetts and Delaware Chancery Court, arising out of Dell’s proposed $67 billion acquisition of EMC Corporation.
- In Re: Appraisal of Dell Inc.: Co-lead counsel for Dell in largest appraisal case ever tried in Delaware concerning the value of Dell Inc. stock on the date the going private transaction closed.
- Wynn Resorts, Ltd. v. Okada: Represented a board member and major stockholder in action that established a director’s right to inspect corporate books and records under Nevada law, in action seeking books and records regarding $135 million donation to the University of Macau Development Foundation. Represented the board member in connection with a number of matters, including a proxy contest where the board member sought to nominate independent directors to the Wynn Resorts board of directors.
Credentials
Admitted
State Courts:
- Alabama
- Georgia
Education
- J.D., Mercer University, 1993
- B.A., University of Georgia, 1984
Memberships
- Columbus Bar Association: Member, President (former)
- Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau: Board Member (mayor-appointed)
- Columbus Inn of Court
- Family Law Bar of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit: Founding Member; Board Member, 2017
- Georgia Association of Women Lawyers: Member, Officer (former)
- Holy Family Catholic Church, Parish Council: Elected Member, 2017
- House of TIME, Columbus: Board Member
- Rotary of Columbus, Georgia, Coalition to End Human Trafficking: Member; Attorney Advisor, 2017
- State Bar of Georgia:
- Board of Governors: Elected Member, 2017-Present
- Investigative Panel, Disciplinary Board: Member (appointed by Georgia Supreme Court), 2010-Present
- Members Benefit Committee: Appointed Member, 2010-Present
- Solace Committee: Appointed Member, 2010-Present
- Advisory Committee on Legislation: Appointed Member, 2009-Present