Brian Adams

Biography

Brian Adams, the founding partner of Adams Law Firm, has a passionate commitment to both his clients and the practice of law. A third-generation Macon attorney, Brian’s inherent legal savvy teamed with his drive to help others has paved a successful path to representing seriously injured individuals in a wide range of litigation matters. Brian strongly believes in the right to trial and has experience in both the trial and appellate courts throughout the state of Georgia.

Throughout Brian Adams’ career, he has unmercifully fought both insurance companies and large corporations responsible for harming innocent victims through negligent business practices. As a result, he has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Brian fully dedicates himself to each case and ensures that each client gets the care and attention they deserve.

A dedicated conservationist and outdoor enthusiast, Brian Adams is heavily involved in multiple community organizations concentrating on the protection of our environment. As President of the Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative, he is a driving force in bringing Georgia’s first National Park to his community. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Altamaha RiverKeeper, Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission, and the Ocmulgee Water Trail Partnership. His involvement in these influential organizations, among other environmental groups, further champions his efforts to hold powerful corporations accountable for various mistreatments to both individuals and communities.

In 2023, Brian was named Lawyer of the year for the Macon Bar Association. For three consecutive years, Brian has been named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in personal injury. This prestigious distinction is awarded to no more than 2.5% of the attorneys in Georgia, based on Super Lawyers’ determination of the state’s elite up-and-coming attorneys who have attained both a high-level of professional achievement and positive peer recognition. Brian has also received the “Client’s Choice Award” through Avvo, was named one of the “Top 100 Lawyers” through the National Trial Lawyers Association, and was named “Best Attorney” in 2018 by The Macon Telegraph.

Brian’s demanding schedule is rewarded with time spent with his daughter and son, making memories with family and friends, traveling, reading, skiing, hiking, and canoeing. With a true “carpe diem” spirit, you can trust that when practicing law and enriching his community, Brian’s passion for results is guaranteed.

Practice Areas

• Personal Injury

Honors

• Named to Super Lawyers, 2020-2024
• Named a Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2016-2019
• Named Lawyer of the Year, Macon Bar Association, 2023
• Best Attorney Recognition from The Macon Telegraph, 2018
• Named one of Macon Magazine's "Five Under 40", 2010
• Client’s Choice Award from Avvo – Personal Injury
• National Trial Lawyers Association – Top 100 Lawyers
• Expertise’s Best Personal Injury Attorneys Award, 2021
• Expertise’s Best Medical Malpractice Attorneys Award, 2021
• Expertise’s Best Personal Car Accident Attorneys Award, 2021

Bar Admissions

• Georgia, 2005
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
• Georgia Court of Appeals
• Supreme Court of Georgia

Education

• Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, Macon, Georgia
  • Juris Doctorate - 2005
• University of Georgia
  • Bachelor of Arts - 2001
  • Major: Political Science

Professional Associations

• State Bar of Georgia
• Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
• American Bar Association
• American Association for Justice
• Macon Bar Association
• William A. Bootle Inn of Court

Community Involvement

• Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative, President of the Board
• Macon-Bibb County Development Authority, Board Member
• Access to Justice – Mercer University, Board Member
• Ocmulgee Water Trail Partnership, Past Board Member
• Altamaha RiverKeeper, Past Board Member
• Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission, Past Board Member
• Bragg Jam, Past Board Member
• NewTown Macon, Emerging Partner
• Georiga Legal Services Project
• The Mentors Project

Past Positions

• Hon. Martha C. Christian, Clerk
• Hon. Bryant Culpepper, Macon Judicial Circuit, Clerk

Mary Beth Hand

Biography

Attorney Mary Beth Hand joined Adams Law Firm in March 2018, bringing nearly 15 years of legal experience to the firm. As one of Georgia’s great legal minds, Mary Beth applies her experience in the representation of seriously injured individuals in all areas of litigation. Prior to joining Adams Law Firm, Mary Beth was fortunate to practice at two premier law firms in Macon, James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP and Sell & Melton, LLP, both of which allowed her to hone her skills as an attorney in a wide range of matters, including insurance litigation, employment law, business litigation, and appellate litigation.

Mary Beth was also honored to serve as a federal law clerk for the Honorable Hugh Lawson at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. During that time, Mary Beth gained extensive experience in all areas of federal law and practice and procedure and gained unique knowledge and experience by being at the right hand of Judge Lawson for five years.

Growing up in McRae, GA, Mary Beth graduated as valedictorian of the TCHS class of 1996 and learned about being a team player on the softball field. She continued her education at Georgia Southern University, earning her degree summa cum laude in 2000, all while working a full-time job at a local law firm. That experience taught Mary Beth the importance and value of hard work and stoked her interest in the law. She went on to the University of Georgia School of Law, where she continued to shine academically, serving as managing editor of the Georgia Journal of Intellectual Property Law, graduating magna cum laude in 2003, and being inducted into the Order of the Coif in recognition of her high academic standing.

Being an effective attorney and advocate takes a village, and Mary Beth could not provide the services she does without the support of her husband Adam, a reformed attorney who is now a teacher, and their daughter, Allison. The Hand family loves to travel near and far and spends most Saturdays at the soccer field. Mary Beth is a competitive tennis player and loves to read and listen to the latest hot podcast.

Practice Areas

• Personal Injury

Honors

• Named to Super Lawyers, 2024

Bar Admissions

• Superior Courts of the State of Georgia
• Georgia Court of Appeals
• Supreme Court of Georgia
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

Education

• University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia
  • 2003
  • Honors: magna cum laude
  • Honors: Order of the Coif
• Georgia Southern University
  • Bachelor of Science - 2000
  • Honors: summa cum laude
  • Major: Criminal Justice

Professional Associations

• State Bar of Georgia, Member
• Macon Bar Association, Member
• Leadership Macon, Class of 2016

Past Positions

• James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP
• Sell & Melton, LLP
• Honorable Hugh Lawson, United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia, 2009 to 2014

Judge Bill Adams

Biography

Judge Bill Adams joined Adams Law Firm in July 2017 following nearly 19 successful years serving as Judge of the State Court of Bibb County. Judge Adams’ love for both the legal field and the Macon community has spanned his adult life, and his leadership in both has spanned almost as long.

The eldest son of Middle Georgia “legal legend” Charles Adams, Judge Bill Adams grew up with a plan to practice law. He joined his father’s law firm in 1977 upon graduating cum laude from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. In 1978, he went on to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. There, he prosecuted a wide array of federal crimes and served on the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. In 1986, he rejoined Adams, Hemingway and Hemingway as partner, engaging in a varied practice of civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts.

In 1998, Judge Bill Adams ran unopposed for an open seat on the State Court bench after the retirement of Judge Taylor Phillips. Adams was re-elected (unopposed) four more times. While serving on the bench, he gained expert legal knowledge in all aspects of civil trials from a perspective that few attain and even fewer take back to private practice.

As Adams Law Firm’s “Of Counsel” attorney, Judge Adams applies his decades of legal knowledge to fight for justice for our personal injury and wrongful death clients, considering the nuances involved in each individual case. Judge Adams is also a registered mediator and arbitrator. He is a member of the panel of neutrals at Adams ADR Services. Judge Adams is President of Middle Georgia Justice, a local non-profit dedicated to closing the justice gap in Middle Georgia.

A dedicated family man, community member, and baseball lover, Judge Bill Adams has served in many volunteer roles at Vineville United Methodist Church, Vine Ingle Little League, and the Kiwanis Club of Macon. He enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, especially at the lake.

Practice Areas

• Personal Injury
• Wrongful Death
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Access to Justice

Education

• Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, Macon, Georgia
  • Juris Doctorate - 1977
• University of Georgia
  • Bachelor of Business Administration - 1974
  • Major: Finance

Professional Associations

• Middle Georgia Justice, President
• Registered Mediator and Arbitrator

Community Involvement

• Vineville Methodist Church
• The Mentors Project
• Georgia Legal Services Project
• Vine Ingle Little League
• Kiwanis Club of Macon

Past Positions

• State Court of Bibb County, Judge
• United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Georgia, Assistant United States Attorney
• Adams, Hemingway and Hemingway, Partner