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Valerie Brown-Williams
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Valerie Brown-Williams
Brown-Williams & Associates PC
1301 N. Madison Street
Albany, GA 31701
Phone: (229) 878-6222 | Fax: (229) 878-0701
http://www.brownwilliamslaw.com
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Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
• Personal Injury: Auto accidents and workers' compensation.
• Real estate
• Family law
• Wills and estates
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Construction Site Injuries
- Slip & Fall
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Design Defects
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Police Misconduct
- Anesthesia Malpractice
- Birth Injuries and Defects
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Dental Malpractice
- Elder and Nursing Home Abuse
- Emergency Room Errors
- HMO Managed Case
- Lasik Eye Surgery
- Medication Malpractice
- Optometry Malpractice
- Prescription/Drug Malpractice
- Psychiatric Malpractice
- Surgical Errors
- Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Amputation
- Birth Injury
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
• Personal Injury: Auto accidents and workers' compensation.
• Real estate
• Family law
• Wills and estates
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Conveyancing
- Title Litigation
- Conveyancing
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
• Personal Injury: Auto accidents and workers' compensation.
• Real estate
• Family law
• Wills and estates
Sub-Categories
Children
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
• Personal Injury: Auto accidents and workers' compensation.
• Real estate
• Family law
• Wills and estates
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
Bar Admissions
GA, Jun 1996
Bar Number: 089695
Other Court Admissions
All Georgia state courts, Georgia Court of Appeals, Georgia Supreme Court, U.S. District Court for the 11th Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Association Memberships
State Bar of Georgia, Dougherty Circuit Bar, C.B. King Bar Association (President).
Continuing Education
I attend seminars to fulfill my continuing legal education requirements.
Example Cases
1. In personal injury, we represent clients who have received all types of injuries. We have obtained settlements as large as $100,000, and although we settle most of our cases, we have no fear of taking a case to court.
2. In the family law area, we pride ourselves on caring about our clients and their families. We zealously represent our clients but temper that representation with reality. Many times divorce clients act out of spite and hurt; it is our job to make them aware of the reality of the situation, while still fighting for them.
3. By the same token, adoptions are some of my favorite cases because we help create families as opposed to taking them apart.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer Universit
City:
Macon
State:
GA
Year:
1995
Focus and Accomplishments:
Moot Court
Degree:
B.A.
School:
Albany State College
City:
Albany
State:
GA
Year:
1992
Honors:
Magna Cum Laude, highest ranking senior in political science, SEF Summer Scholars Fellow, CLEO Fellow
Focus and Accomplishments:
Political Science Major
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
Georgia
Firm Focus and History
We opened our practice in January of 1999. We have represented clients across the country as well as members of the armed forces who are overseas and have legal issues in the State of Georgia.
The firm focuses on real estate closings, personal injury cases (including auto accidents, wrongful death and workers compensation), family law cases (including divorce, adoption, custody and child support), and wills and estates.
Previous Employment Summary
My first job out of law school was with a sole practitioner where I worked for two years handling primarily workers' compensation and family law cases. After that, I opened my own office and served as a public defender for Dougherty Juvenile Court for several years and still represent parents and children in Department of Family and Children deprivation cases. I also served as adjunct professor at Albany State University teaching American Government for two years.
Activities and Awards
I have served as interim public defender for Albany Municipal Court and currently represent the Water, Gas and Light Commission in certain matters.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Even if you do not educate yourself on the issues, it is always better to consult an attorney as opposed to handling a legal matter on your own. Attorneys go to school for a reason—if everyone could do what we do, we would have no purpose.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We prefer to prepare our own documents but understand that not everyone can afford an attorney. If someone has prepared their own documents, we will review them for a nominal fee.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
We do not coach clients who want to represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I became an attorney because I read an article while waiting in a doctor's office about two boys who were taken from their parents because of a lie the boys told of abuse. It seemed the parents were not given a fair opportunity to be heard, and took considerable time for the boys to return home. I decided I wanted to help people in that situation, and part of my practice has been working in Dougherty Juvenile Court since 1997. Of course, "LA Law" also helped shape my decision.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
While in college, I had a professor who was also an attorney. Her influence on me was immeasurable. I also volunteered with Georgia Legal Services as a college student, and interned there while in law school. That experience, coupled with my family members being caring people, makes me a better lawyer.
One aspect of my business plan when I started my own practice was offering competent legal service at affordable prices. I also have a good working relationship with most of my colleagues. If there is a matter that I cannot handle, I am comfortable with letting a client know and referring him or her to another attorney.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I began my career wanting to be a criminal defense attorney, but I got tired of being lied to. My current areas of practice evolved from learning different areas of law, and focusing on the areas where I have most excelled.
What do you like best about your career?
Being able to help and educate people.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have one other attorney in the office who is in her first year of practice. In addition to her JD, she has a background in social work which helps in dealing with domestic cases. My legal assistant has been with me for three years. She is very people-oriented and works well with clients. My office manager is also a very pleasant "people person" who makes clients feel welcomed. She is also task-oriented, which is a benefit to both my clients and me.
What are your strengths and style?
I am low-key, but very no-nonsense. I try to be straight-forward with my clients and get the job done. I practice law, but am not a counselor in the social work sense of the word. My being a mother and running my own practice benefits my domestic clients, because I can view matters from the standpoint of parent and attorney.
Personal Interests:
My children are my foremost interest. I enjoy outdoor activities, watching football and tennis, and leisure reading.
Office Manager/Assistant
Karen Simmons.
Fax
(229) 878-0701
Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Some matters have set base fees that only increase if the matter exceeds a certain number of billable hours. At that point, the client is billed at the standard hourly rate. Individuals can call the office for a quote on their particular matter. Other maters are handled on a contingency basis where we only get paid if the client recovers a settlement.
Hourly Rates
$175.
Free Initial Consultation?
The first 30 minutes are free unless we are only reviewing documents.
Typical Retainer
No.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
