HBS Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Georgia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists

HBS is proud to announce that nine attorneys across our Georgia offices were recognized on the 2025 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list. Partners John E. Hall, Jr., Rush S. Smith, Jr., and James B. Durham have been honored on the Super Lawyers list, while Attorneys Felix B. Kloc, Nicholas J. Garcia, Courtney Broussard Walker, Wayne Satterfield, Laura Hall Cartner, and Pearson Cunningham were acknowledged on the Rising Stars list.

The Recipients

John E. Hall, Jr.

John was honored for his work in personal injury medical malpractice defense matters. One of the founding partners of HBS, he specializes in the defense of high exposure cases, including medical malpractice, batch claims, construction, commercial litigation, mass torts, transportation, and products liability. During his legal career, he has tried more than 125 cases to resolution across the country.

Rush S. Smith, Jr.

Rush was acknowledged in the area of professional liability defense matters. Another founding partner of HBS, he has specialized experience in representing attorneys in cases brought by bankruptcy trustees as they attempt to marshal debtors’ assets. Additionally, he represents professionals sued for negligence, fraud, and fiduciary breaches in nearly every other area of professional practice. His special understanding of the difficulties involved in representing directors and officers with varying degrees of interest and dedication to the defense has led to his successful representation of D&O claims in a variety of corporate environments including health care organizations.

James B. Durham

James was recognized for his work in business litigation matters. He is a past President of the State Bar of Georgia and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Throughout his career, Jim has been involved in complex civil litigation including commercial litigation, construction litigation, industrial accidents, products liability defense, professional negligence, medical malpractice defense, shareholder derivative actions, and mining law and mineral resource litigation.

Felix B. Kloc

Brunswick Attorney Felix was honored for the first time for his work civil litigation defense. He focuses his practice in appellate, general liability, medical malpractice, and premises liability matters. Before joining HBS, Felix gained experience as an associate at an international family law firm, where he represented clients from all parts of Georgia as well as clients needing help with international family law matters.

Nicholas J. Garcia

Nicholas was acknowledged for his work in bankruptcy business matters. An attorney in our Columbus office, he has a growing practice focused on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. He also specializes in labor and employment, education, government liability, and property tax appeal litigation. Before joining Hall Booth Smith, Nick was a law clerk to the Honorable John T. Laney III, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Together they co-authored bankruptcy articles published in the Mercer Law Review.

Courtney Broussard Walker

Courtney, partner in our Atlanta office, was recognized for her work in civil litigation defense. Courtney defends hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health care facilities as well as doctors, nurses, and chiropractors in a wide variety of professional negligence claims. She is located in the Atlanta office of HBS.

Wayne Satterfield

Atlanta Partner Wayne Satterfield was acknowledged for his work in personal injury medical malpractice defense matters. His practice focuses on the defense of high exposure cases including medical malpractice, negligent security, premises liability, Dram shop/liquor liability, and transportation matters. Wayne is well-versed in all stages of litigation and has tried numerous cases through verdict in both federal and state courts. He is also a member of Hall Booth Smith’s National Trial Counsel Strategic Team and has assisted in the preparation of several high exposure trials throughout the country.

Laura Hall Cartner

Atlanta Partner Laura Hall Cartner was honored for her work in health care matters. Laura regularly represents providers including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and sub-acute facilities in all phases of litigation related to both general and professional liability claims. She also maintains a regulatory practice, advising providers on regulatory compliance, assisting with internal investigations, self-reporting requirements, risk management, policy development, and legislative interpretation. As a member of the Coronavirus Strategic Team and Aging Services Practice Area, Laura assists providers as they navigate fast-changing regulatory and legislative guidance at the federal, state, and local level.

Pearson Cunningham

Pearson Cunningham, attorney in our Atlanta office, was recognized for his work in appellate matters. Through his work in HBS’ governmental liability group, Pearson has gained valuable experience defending local governments and their employees in a wide variety of claims under federal and state law. Stemming from this experience and the effective motion practice entailed, Pearson has honed his appellate advocacy skills. He has worked on numerous cases before state and federal appellate courts and has argued before the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

About Hall Booth Smith

Established in 1989, Hall Booth Smith, P.C. is a full-service law firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Experienced across a wide range of legal disciplines, HBS attorneys pride themselves on providing knowledgeable, proactive, client-specific counsel to individuals, domestic and international corporations, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s promise: “Serving to Achieve Excellence.”