J. Matthew Maguire

Successfully represented the CEO of a publicly traded company in a wrongful termination action. Trial counsel in a libel action that yielded a seven figure jury verdict against a national political party. Successfully defended a consortium of bidders against claims that they violated the Sherman Act and state procurement rules prohibiting collusion among bidders. Lead counsel for a prominent affordable housing developer in long-running litigation against the Atlanta Housing Authority. Lead counsel in a successful constitutional challenge to a citys moratorium on the issuance of building permits. Lead counsel in an appeal from the State of Georgias denial of film tax credits to a film production company that filmed a feature length movie in Georgia. Successfully protested an Atlanta Airport concessions procurement on several grounds, including misapplication of federal DBE regulations, which led to a decision to reissue the solicitation. Lead trial counsel for a businessman seeking to recover his ownership interesting a consulting business, which resulted in significant punitive damages and attorneys fees awards. Won dismissal of an action brought by a city against current and former city council members seeking personal liability for city debts based upon alleged conflicts of interest. Won dismissal of a State Ethics Commission proceeding against a sitting superior court judge. Obtained Eleventh Circuit reversal of a ruling that invalidated a non-competition covenant (H&R Block Enterprises v. Morris, 606 S. 3d 1285 (2010)). Convinced the Georgia Supreme Court that the Governors Office of Consumer Affairs has no authority to investigate a law firm (State of Georgia v. Frederick J. Hanna & Associates, 2010 Ga. LEXIS 421)). Lead plaintiffs counsel in a jury trial resulting in substantial damages assessed against Fulton County for selective enforcement of its erosion control ordinances (affirmed on appeal at Fulton County v. Legacy Investment Group, LLC, 296 Ga. App. 822, 676 S. E. 2d 388 (2009)).