Our attorneys have represented the legal interests of all levels of government in Georgia--city, county, and state --as attorneys, prosecutors, and judges. Combined, our lawyers have more than 60 years of governmental experience. We offer full service counsel and representation to municipalities and counties, including the following:

• Drafting Legislation--Municipalities are called upon to adopt local laws to govern their communities and protect the public health safety and welfare. Proper drafting of local laws is essential to carry out effective governance, while balancing the needs of the community with the rights of individual citizens. Poorly drafted laws cause uncertainty as to enforceability and may unnecessarily expose government to lawsuits and other liabilities. Our lawyers have drafted and advised regarding legislation governing a vast range of issues affecting our governmental clients. Our attorneys have worked on the re-codification of entire municipal codes in order to bring them up to date and ensure consistency. If the time has come to bring your laws and ordinances up to date or to adopt a complex regulation covering a particular topic area, our attorneys can be of assistance.
• New Municipalities--Our firm is more experienced than any other firm in the state in assisting the creation and proper functioning of new cities. From charter legislation, to adopting laws, to annexations, to intergovernmental agreements, to strategic planning, the attorneys at Riley Lewis & McLendon can assist a new city to get established quickly and effectively.
• Eminent Domain-- "Eminent domain," or "condemnation," is the legal process by which a public entity (or private entity having the legal power of eminent domain) is given the legal power to acquire for "just compensation" private property to be used for a use that has been declared to be public by constitution, statute, or ordinance. The United State Supreme Court's recent decision in Kelo v. New London, 125 S.Ct. 2655 (2005) has spurred much discussion and debate in this area. In Kelo, the Supreme Court determined that governments can condemn private land in connection with area-wide redevelopment projects. This is a rapidly changing area of the law and our attorneys have the requisite knowledge to properly represent our clients. We have represented all levels of government in condemning private property for public use. We ensure that our clients follow the stringent procedural requirements so the condemnation will withstand any procedural challenges.
• Rezoning --A change in the zoning designation of property raises complex issues of property rights as such a zoning change often results in a loss of property value. Municipalities contemplating the rezoning of a parcel and the property owners faced with a rezoning must each act to ensure that the process protects property rights and reflects legitimate governmental interests. Our attorneys have experience in addressing these issues for both municipalities and individual property owners.
• Variances--Our attorneys work with governments, developers, and individuals on projects ranging from applications for minor variances to applications for permits for telecommunication facilities, subdivisions, office parks, hospitals, golf courses, shopping centers, single and multi-family housing developments, and the like.

Our attorneys have experience representing new or established business in a wide variety of matters including formation of corporations and limited liability companies, corporate governance, contract negotiations, the drafting and review of partnership and shareholder agreements and dissolutions, the negotiation and creation of commercial lease agreements, employment agreements, resolution of commercial disputes, and the winding down of corporations. We provide client-centered services, aimed at helping our clients' businesses succeed. If you are just starting up, in the middle of operations, or dissolving a business, feel free to contact one of our experienced business law attorneys to discuss any questions or concerns you might have.

• Transactional--Our lawyers advise companies of any size in selecting the best form of legal entity and management structure for their business. We help our clients by drafting and reviewing contracts and provide them with practical, "bottom line" analyses to assist in making sound business decisions. If you need support in developing policies, procedures, plans and agreements concerning your employees and independent contractors, our attorneys can help. As your business changes, we also can assist through these transitions by facilitating buy-sell arrangements, succession plans, and dissolutions.
• Commercial Litigation-- From a business perspective, litigation is very costly in terms of time, fees, and exposure to liability. Therefore, one of the most important services we provide our business clients is to provide litigation avoidance strategies. Our attorneys have provided state and nationwide counsel to commercial and governmental entities to help avoid lawsuits and improve profits.

For governments and businesses, our attorneys first goal is to avoid litigation through strategic preparation and effective negotiation. However, some battles cannot be avoided and some need to be fought. Our attorneys know when to negotiate and know when to fight. When it is time for battle, no attorneys fight more effectively or more zealously than the attorneys at Riley Lewis & McLendon. Most of our attorneys are former or current prosecutors or judges and know their way around a courthouse and a courtroom.

• Litigation -- Our attorneys have extensive litigation experience, from filing and answering complaints, preparing and responding to discovery, drafting and arguing motions, and winning at trial. While we always make every effort to resolve disputes at the earliest appropriate opportunity, when the only alternative is a trial, our attorneys have the experience required to provide our clients with the level of representation they need and deserve.
• Mediation and Arbitration -- In addition to our litigation experience, our attorneys have extensive experience in representing clients in arbitrations and in presiding over mediations and arbitrations.