Partner since 2005
Adam Malone is based in Atlanta, Georgia and dedicates his entire practice to helping families with issues involving brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, amputation, and wrongful death throughout the state of Georgia. His efforts over the last two decades have produced over $500 million in compensation for injured victims and their families and have helped change careless corporate practices to keep us all safer.
Adam has obtained record jury verdicts, including a $24.5 million verdict in a case involving an above-knee amputation for a young athlete which is reported to be the largest personal injury verdict ever returned in Albany, Georgia. In addition to his trial skills, Adam has also earned a reputation for excellence in the appellate courts. Due to Adam’s work, the Georgia Supreme Court struck down the state’s cap of $350,000 on non-economic damages in medical negligence cases as violating the constitutionally guaranteed right to trial by jury. This ruling not only permitted his client to recover the amount of damages determined by the jury in that case – it was much more important than that. This decision ensured that all patients harmed by preventable medical errors have the right to trial by jury and the right to be completely compensated in an amount determined by jurors driven by the actual evidence, not by politicians driven by campaign contributions.
To have your work recognized by your peers is among the highest of honors. Every year since 2018, Adam has been voted by his peers through Super Lawyers as one of the top 10 trial lawyers in the state of Georgia. The prestigious Melvin M. Belli Society recently honored Adam with their coveted Mel Award for his creative advocacy, innovation and paradigm-shifting trial techniques. Best Lawyers honored Adam by naming him the 2016 Lawyer of the Year in medical negligence. The Southern Trial Lawyers Association has honored Adam for his teaching and publications in the field of trial and appellate advocacy by presenting him with the Professor W. McKinley Smiley, Jr. Lighthouse Award.
Adam is also recognized and included annually in the peer-reviewed editions of Best Lawyers in America. Adam is rated by Martindale-Hubbell as AV Preeminent, the highest rating available for ethics and legal ability. He is board certified by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA) and the National Board of Trial Advocates (NBTA), and he is frequently invited to write, publish, and teach continuing legal education to lawyers and professional groups all over the country.
Adam is currently serving as Officer of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group for the American Association for Justice. He is a Past President of the Southern Trial Lawyers Association, Past President of the Melvin M. Belli Society, Past Chairperson for the Professional Negligence Section of the American Association for Justice, and Past Chairperson of the General Practice and Trial Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Adam served for many years on the Board of Governors and its Executive Committee for the American Association for Justice (AAJ) – the nation’s largest and most effective organization for lawyers representing injured people and their families. He has served as an officer and on the board of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, the AAJ Professional Negligence Section, and the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group. He also serves on the Board of Directors for his alma mater, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, and the Savannah Law School. He is also an Honorary Board Member of the Special Olympics of Georgia and an ardent supporter of the Shepherd Brain and Spinal Center.
Areas of Practice
Medical Negligence
Truck crashes
Aviation disasters
Child and Infant Injury
Dangerous Products
Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
Burns
Amputation
Wrongful Death
Bar Admissions
Georgia
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia
Supreme Court of Georgia
Georgia Court of Appeals
Education
John Marshall Law School, Atlanta, Georgia
Juris Doctor summa cum laude – 2000
Honors: Valedictorian
Honors: West Publisher’s Award for Academic Excellence
Honors: Judge Harold R. Banke Advocacy Award
Honors: Student Bar Association – President (1998-1999)
Honors: Student Bar Association – Secretary (1997-1998)
Honors: ATLA Student Chapter – Vice President (1998-1999)
Honors: Journalist for the JMLS Advocate
Honors: Mock Trial Team
Honors: 1999 ATLA National Mock Trial – Semi-finalist
Honors: 1998 ATLA National Mock Trial – Semi-finalist
North Georgia Military College
Bachelor of Arts – 1996
Honors: ROTC Corps of Cadets
Honors: Cadet 2d Lieutenant
Honors: Platoon Leader, 1st Platoon, Foxtrot Company 1996
Honors: Graduate Noncommissioned Officers’ Academy 1995
Honors: Political Science Club
Published Books & Book Chapters
“Voir Dire and Conduct of the Judge and Jury,” GTLA Trial Practice Manual, Annually Since 2005
“Organizing the Medical Malpractice Case,” Tommy Malone on Healthcare Malpractice – Case Evaluation and Review Manual: Intake to Filing, Vol. 1, Ch. 1, 2003 PESI Law Publications
Published Works & Lectures
“Basic Considerations for Direct Examination,” ICLE Jury Trial Program, Georgia Public Broadcasting Studios, Atlanta, Georgia, January 18, 2013
“My Notes on Direct Examination in Catastrophic Injury and Death Cases,” New Jersey Association for Justice, 2013 Boardwalk Seminar, Atlantic City, New Jersey, April 17-19, 2013
“Reversing Defenses and Winning Strategies for the Trucking Case,” GTLA Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, May 16-17, 2013
“Proving Your Case with Clarity,” GTLA Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, May 16-17, 2013
“Critical Thinking & Proving Your Case with Clarity,” GTLA Auto Torts, Destin, Florida, August 1-3, 2013
“Basic Considerations for Direct Examination,” Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers, Georgia ICLE, Atlanta, Georgia, October 30, 2013
“Voir Dire: An Exercise in Listening,” ICLE Jury Trial Program, Georgia Public Broadcasting Studios, Atlanta, Georgia, January 17, 2014
“Beyond Powerpoint: Bringing Your Case to Life with Cutting Edge Demonstrative Aids,” Florida Justice Association Workhorse Seminar, Orlando, Florida, February 19, 2014
“Ethics & Professionalism at Trial and on Appeal,” STLA Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 27, 2014
“Critical Thinking for Challenging Cases: Scoping the Horizon,” 13th Annual General Practice and Trial Institute, Pine Mountain, Georgia, March 14, 2014
“The Future of the Patient Provider Relationship: Communication and Complexity in the Acute Care Environment,” Annual Meeting of the Healthcare Ethics Consortium of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, March 20, 2014
“War Stories,” Georgia State Bar YLD Litigation Committee Speaker Series, Atlanta, Georgia, March 26, 2014
“Developing Trends in the Preparation and Trial of a Professional Negligence Case Including: Two Attorneys Representing Parties, Settling With Less Than All Parties, Apportionment, and Direct Examination,” GTLA Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, April 25, 2014
“Birth Injury Odyssey: Observations from Both Sides,” GTLA Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, April 25, 2014
“Effective Advocacy Using Visual Strategy at Trial,” AAJ Annual Convention, Baltimore, Maryland, July 28, 2014
“Challenges in Trying Catastrophic Injury Cases,” ICLE Jury Trial Program, Georgia Public Broadcasting Studios, Atlanta, Georgia, January 16, 2015
Moderator, “Storytelling thru Witness Examination,” STLA Annual
Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 13, 2015 Seminar Co-Chairperson, ICLE Handling Big Cases Program, Georgia Public Broadcasting Studios, Atlanta, Georgia, March 5, 2015
“Telling the Damages Story through Witness Testimony,” 360 Advocacy, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 14, 2015
“Connecting with Jurors – What Matters Most,” GTLA Auto Torts, Destin, Florida, August 1, 2015
“Handling Tractor Trailer Cases from Start to Finish,” AIEG Trucking Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, August 20, 2015
“After the Stage is Set: Connecting with the Judge, Jury and Opposing Counsel,” ICLE Trial Advocacy Program, Georgia Public Broadcasting Studios, Atlanta, Georgia, October 30, 2015
“Thoughts on How to Discover the True Story and Show It,” STLA Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 4, 2016
“Telling the Damages Story through Witness Examination,” Arkansas CLE, Hot Springs, Arkansas, February 12, 2016
“Voir Dire: An Exercise in Listening,” 15th Annual General Practice & Trial Law Section, Trial Institute, Amelia Island, Florida, March 17, 2016.
“Effective Voir Dire in Brain Damaged Infant Cases,” 360 Advocacy, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 11, 2016.
“Powerful Direct Examinations,” ICLE Trial Advocacy, Georgia Public Broadcasting Studios, Atlanta, Georgia, October 28, 2016.
“Jury Selection,” GTLA ‘Watch Me’ CLE, Savannah, Georgia, January 27, 2017.
“Effective Voir Dire,” 15th Annual General Practice & Trial Law Section, ICLE: Hotel Series, St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, March 16, 2017.
“Networking & Rainmaking 101: Advise for Aspiring Lawyers on Building a Practice,” John Marshall Law School Professionalism Series, April 12, 2017.
“Dealing with Race, Religion, and Politics in Jury Selection,” GTLA Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, April 27, 2017.
“Powerful Visual Opening Statements,” GTLA Auto Torts Workshop, Destin, Florida, July 15, 2017.
“Better Connection, Better Persuasion,” GTLA Holiday Workshop, Atlanta, Georgia, December 8, 2017.
Seminar Co-Chairperson, ICLE Handling Big Cases Program, Atlanta, Georgia, April 13, 2018.
“On Opening Statement,” GTLA Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, April 27, 2018.
“Effective Voir Dire in Medical Negligence Case,” ABPLA National Legal & Medical Malpractice Conference, Chicago, Illinois, May 5, 2018.
“Connecting with Jurors: Lesson Learned from Twenty Years in the Trial Trenches,” NJAJ Boardwalk Personal Injury Seminar, Atlantic City, New Jersey, May 10, 2018.
“Remembering Mel,” Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar, Denver, Colorado, July, 6, 2018.
“Connecting Voir Dire to Verdict: What Matters Most,” Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar, Denver, Colorado, July 6, 2018.
“Life and Trials of Tommy Malone,” Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group Meeting, Denver, Colorado, July 9, 2018.
Professional and Academic Honors
2020 Georgia Super Lawyer, The Top 10, voted one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Georgia, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2020 The Best Lawyers in America,® the oldest legal peer review publication in
the U.S.
2019 Georgia Super Lawyer, The Top 10, voted one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Georgia, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2019 The Best Lawyers in America,® the oldest legal peer review publication in
the U.S.
2018 Georgia Super Lawyer, The Top 10, voted one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Georgia, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2018 The Best Lawyers in America,® the oldest legal peer review publication in
the U.S.
2018 Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
2018 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2017 Georgia Super Lawyer, The Top 100, voted one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Georgia, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2017 The Best Lawyers in America,® the oldest legal peer review publication in
the U.S.
2017 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2017 Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
2016 Georgia’s Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law
2016 Southern Trial Lawyers Association, “The Professor w. McKinley Smiley, Jr. Lighthouse Award” as recognition for outstanding ability in teaching others the skill of trial advocacy and appellate argument
2016 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2016 Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
2015 Georgia Super Lawyer, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2015 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2015 Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
2014 The Best Lawyers in America,® the oldest legal peer review publication in
the U.S.
2014 Georgia Super Lawyer, The Top 100, voted one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Georgia, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2014 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2014 Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
2013 Georgia Super Lawyer, The Top 100, voted one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Georgia, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2013 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2013 Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
2012 Georgia Super Lawyer, The Top 100, voted one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Georgia, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2012 Georgia’s Top Rated Lawyers, Cover spotlight of AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Ratings
2012 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2012 Georgia’s Best Lawyers, Atlanta Journal Constitution, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, February 2012
2012 Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers
2012 American Association for Justice Wiedemann & Wysocki Award
2012 Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
2011 Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers Association
2011 American Association for Justice Distinguished Service Award
2011 Georgia’s Best Lawyers, Lawyers of the Year, ALM/Best Lawyers in America
2011 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2011 Georgia Super Lawyer, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a
high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2011 The Best Lawyers in America,® the oldest legal peer review publication in
the U.S.
2010 AV Preeminent – the highest peer review rating available for ethics and
legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected organization listing lawyers who have been designated by judges and professional colleagues as preeminent in their field
2010 Courageous Pursuit of Justice Award, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
2010 Georgia Super Lawyer, annual publication of lawyers who have attained a
high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
2010 The Best Lawyers in America,® the oldest legal peer review publication in
the U.S.
2009 Selected by Georgia Trend for inclusion of its Top 40 Under 40 of Georgia’s Best and Brightest edition
2008 Fulton County Daily Report On the Rise: Named 1 of 12 Best Lawyers in Georgia under age 40
2009 Rising Star, Georgia Super Lawyers
2008 Distinguished Alumni Award, John Marshall Law School
2006 Rising Star, Georgia Super Lawyers
2005 Rising Star, Georgia Super Lawyers
2002 Distinguished Service & Leadership Award, Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Honors and Awards
Top 10 Lawyers in Georgia, Super Lawyers, 2018
Lawyer of the Year recipient, Georgia’s Best Lawyers, 2016
Best Lawyers in America, Medical Malpractice Law and Personal Injury Litigation, 2010-present
Georgia Super Lawyer, 2010-present
Georgia Super Lawyer, The Top 100, 2014-present
Courageous Pursuit of Justice Award, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, 2010
One of Georgia’s Top 12 Lawyers Under the Age of 40, “Twelve to Watch,” Fulton County Daily Report, August 18, 2008
Named One of Georgia’s Best & Brightest By Georgia Trend Magazine, 2008
Distinguished Alumni Award, John Marshall Law School, 2008
Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent, 2010-present
Georgia’s Best Lawyers, 2011-present
Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers Association, 2012
American Association for Justice Wiedemann & Wysocki Award, 2012
Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers Association, 2011
American Association for Justice Distinguished Service Award, 2011
Georgia’s Best Lawyers, Lawyers of the Year, ALM/Best Lawyers in America, 2011
Selected by Georgia Trend for inclusion of its Top 40 Under 40 of Georgia’s Best and Brightest edition, 2009
Rising Star, Georgia Super Lawyers, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005
Distinguished Service & Leadership Award, Southern Trial Lawyers Association, 2002
Professor W. McKinley Smiley, Jr. Lighthouse Award, Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Professional Associations and Memberships
General Practice and Trial Section of the State Bar of Georgia, Past Chairman
Southern Trial Lawyers Association, Past President
John Marshall Law School Alumni Association, Past President
American Association for Justice, Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, Board of Governors, 2006 – Present
American Association for Justice, Intestate Trucking Litigation Group, Board of Governors, 2009 – Present
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Education Committee Chairman, 2009 – 2010
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Council, 2008 – Present
American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, Board of Governors, 2007 – Present
American Association for Justice, Board of Governors, 2010 – Present
American Association for Justice, Professional Negligence Section, Chair, 2009 – 2010
Melvin M. Belli Society, President, 2012 – 2013
Melvin M. Belli Society, Executive Council, 2008 – Present
Melvin M. Belli Society, Board of Governors, 2004 – Present
John Marshall Law School, Board of Directors, 2009 – Present
National Board of Trial Advocacy
Cobb County Bar Association
Academy of Trial Advocacy (By invitation only)
Atlanta Bar Association, Litigation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association
Melvin M. Belli Society, Fellow (By invitation only)
International Society of Barristers, Fellow (By invitation only)
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow (By invitation only)
Southern Trial Lawyers Association (STLA) (By invitation only)
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA)
Section & Litigation Group Coordination Committee
National Finance Counsel Member
Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
Special Olympics Georgia, Honorary Board Of Directors, 2014 – Present
American Association for Justice, Executive Committee, 2011 – 2012
American Association for Justice, National Finance Council, 2011 – 2014
American Association for Justice, Section & Litigation Group Coordination Committee, 2011 – Present
Civil Justice PAC, Board of Governors, 2011 – 2012
Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, Board of Directors, 2009 – 2014
Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University, Board of Visitors, 2011 – 2014
American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, Board Member, 2007 – 2012
Brain Injury Association of America, AADVISORY BOARD ON ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION, 2009-2010
Brain Injury Association of America, LIAISON, 2015-2016
General Practice and Trial Section of the State Bar of Georgia, BOARD MEMBER, 2003-2010
General Practice and Trial Section of the State Bar of Georgia, TRUSTEE, 2010 – Present
Young Lawyers Division of the of the State Bar of Georgia, BOARD MEMBER, 2006-2008
State Bar of Georgia, Product Liability Section
State Bar of Georgia, Aviation Section
State Bar of Georgia, Tort and Insurance Section
American Association for Justice (AAJ), National College of Advocacy, Fellow
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Birth Trauma Litigation Group
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Product Liability Section
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Aviation Litigation Section
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Trucking Litigation Section
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway & Premises Liability Section
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Gastric Bypass Litigation Group
American Bar Association (ABA), Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
American Bar Association (ABA), American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
American Bar Association (ABA), Diplomate Medical Negligence
Southern Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors, 2002 – Present
Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Grp American Assoc. for Justice, Board of Governors, 2006 – Present
Interstate Trucking Litigation Group of AAJ, Board of Governors, 2009 – 2013
State Bar of Georgia Fair Market Practices Committee, Member, 2011 – 2012
State Bar of Georgia General Counsel Office Overview Committee, Member, 2010 – 2011
State Bar of Georgia Standing Committee for General Counsel, Advisor, 2007 – 2010
State Bar of Georgia Standing Committee for General Counsel, Supreme Court Sub-Committee, 2008 – 2010
Southern Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2008 – 2009
Southern Trial Lawyers Association, President- Elect, 2007 – 2008
Southern Trial Lawyers Association, Treasurer, 2006 – 2007
Southern Trial Lawyers Association, Secretary, 2005 – 2006
Southern Trial Lawyers Association, Parliamentarian, 2004 – 2005
Professional Negligence Section American Assoc. for Justice, Chair, 2009-2010, Secretary, 2008-2009
Professional Negligence Section American Assoc. for Justice, Treasurer, 2007-2008, Newsletter Editor, 2006-2007
Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Grp American Assoc. for Justice, Brain Injury Association of America Liaison, 2015 – 2016
Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Grp American Assoc. for Justice, Vice-Chair, 2012-2013, Secretary, 2011-2012, Parliamentarian, 2010-2011
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Vice President, 2015-2016, Secretary, 2014-2015, Parliamentarian, 2013-2014
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Council, AAJ BOG, 2010- Present, Chairman of Legal Education, 2008- 2010, Membership Committee Co-Chair, 2001-2003
Past Employment Positions
Thomas William Malone, P.C., Associate, 2000 – 2005
Clayton County District Attorney, Assistant Prosecutor (Third Year Practice Act), 1999 – 2000
Georgia Court of Appeals, Judicial Intern for Chief Judge G. Alan Blackburn, 1998 – 1999
Fulton County Court, Warrant Office, 1997 – 1998
Restaurant waiter, law office clerk, construction worker, farm worker, and landscaper
Pro Bono Activities
Walton High School Mock Trial Coach
Special Olympics Georgia
North American Brain Injury Society
Civil Justice Foundation
Board of Governors, Melvin M. Belli Society, 2004 – Present
Board Member, Civil Justice PAC, 2002 – 2005
Board Member, John Marshall Law School Foundation, 2002 – Present
Board of Governors, Georgia Consumer Justice Foundation, 2004 – 2006
Melvin M. Belli Society, President, 2012-2013, President-elect, 2011-2012, Secretary, 2010-2011, Treasurer, 2009-2010, Parliamentarian, 2008-2009
John Marshall Law School Alumni Association, President, 2002-2008, Coach Mock Trial team, 2005 and 2006
