Hall Booth Smith provides transactional and operational counsel as well as investigative and litigation services to a wide variety of public and private school entities, their administrators and boards, and others involved with the education sector. We have represented K-12 educational institutions, colleges and universities, school district board members, administrators and staff, handling the full range of school-related issues they encounter, including civil rights, First Amendment rights, student discipline, school violence, special education, testing/promotion, access to student records, and fraternity and sorority matters. Our Education lawyers also advise on and resolve employment and labor issues including teacher evaluations, remediation and discipline, teacher dismissals, at-will employment, sexual harassment, and Title VII, as well as represent professional educators in internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings and other matters related to their employment.

Recognizing that the most effective solution is prevention, we review our clients’ existing policies and help them devise risk avoidance strategies and comprehensive rules, policies, and procedures to minimize their exposure. As an added value, HBS lawyers offer training programs to assure that our clients’ administrators, school board members, school system officials, educators, and staff fully understand the rules and the importance of compliance. Through these workshops, attendees learn to readily identify and address issues and concerns before they become problems.

Representing creative minds and creative businesses,  Hall Booth Smith provides clients with the business advice and legal guidance needed to succeed in the ever-evolving multimedia entertainment marketplace.

From day-to-day business operations and management advice to transactional guidance and dispute resolution, our attorneys help those in the entertainment industry manage talent and preserve, protect and actualize their entertainment property and services. We have critical access to key players in the entertainment industry and provide clients with the business-oriented and dedicated legal advice needed to thrive.

Transactional and litigation attorneys work together seamlessly, handling all of our clients’ legal needs and helping them achieve their goals. Our experience is diverse and includes advising clients regarding music, film, television, software, books and other print media, advertising, and graphic, visual and performing arts, social media and gaming, negotiating the full range of transaction documents and industry agreements, and litigating disputes. We assure that our clients’ creativity and their rights in creative works are fully protected.

As active members of various respected industry-leading societies, including NARAS, CMA,  we remain at the forefront of industry trends and legal developments. Our attorneys speak regularly on industry panels, contribute as writers to respected industry publications and serve on boards of several industry non-profit organizations.

With a team of former and current government leaders , and those actively involved in various areas of government, HBS offers comprehensive representation and advice to those in government, including states, counties, cities, non-profits and other related industries.

Our team members are regarded as among the most influential leaders in the state of Georgia and are repeatedly recognized for their work on behalf of clients in the government arena. Regularly interacting with legislative leaders concerning client needs, we maintain close working relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, and agency staff, enhancing our ability to provide expertise and counsel. Leveraging our connections, regulatory know-how and legal experience, we work with local, county and state government officials to craft good policy and address our clients’ legislative, regulatory and legal concerns.

HBS attorneys assist clients with the full range of local, county and state government affairs, regulatory matters, lobbying efforts, and political and campaign finance issues. Understanding the regulatory framework which affects our clients’ business operations, we are particularly adept at helping related regulated industries such as utilities, energy and trade associations, telecommunication companies, health care, insurance, local governments, and nonprofit organizations with compliance matters.

Already among the most regulated industries, and now grappling with the uncertainty regarding the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and other reforms, the health care industry and those doing business with the sector rely on HBS to advise on and effectively resolve their business, legal, and regulatory challenges. We advise on all aspects of our clients’ healthcare related businesses from structuring, employment issues, office management, corporate governance and transactional matters to malpractice issues, patient privacy, records retention and data protection.

The retail and hospitality sector is a dynamic and fast-paced industry where shifting economic conditions, legislation, regulatory matters and consumer behaviors can change the business landscape overnight.

Hall Booth Smith offers a wide range of services to retail and hospitality businesses to protect their interests in the competitive marketplace, respond to litigious actions by customers and help their businesses grow and thrive.

We work with retailers, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality clients on business formation matters such as franchise agreements, joint ventures and partnerships, fundraising, business contracts, real estate leasing and construction disputes. Our attorneys also handle the full spectrum of operational and ongoing business matters including immigration employment issues, labor contracts, employee benefits, alcohol beverage licenses and compliance with alcohol beverage laws, data protection and IT security, slip-and-fall accidents, premises liability and other legal matters.