Stephen E. Garner

More Options - Better Settlements.  The majority of my mediations are complex Workers' Compensation cases, often involving emotionally charged situations, Social Security Disability, issues of whether a case is potentially catastrophic in nature, whether MSAs are appropriate, the impact of Social Security offsets, and third-party liability/subrogation issues. My experience in the fields of personal injury, workers' compensation, and Social Security Disability make me uniquely qualified to offer solutions which take into consideration the interests of all the parties to a dispute and achieve win-win results.  I have a special interest in how people's emotions impact settlement decisions and I believe there is much more involved in reaching a settlement than just the "right numbers."

I have approximately 38 years experience as a trial lawyer representing plaintiffs and claimants in a variety of personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, insurance, subrogation, social security, and workers’ compensation cases throughout the West Georgia and metro Atlanta areas. I have been lead counsel in approximately 1000 trials and hearings during legal career.  I have evaluated for settlement or trial approximately 3000 personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. I have participated as an attorney in mediating approximately 140 personal injury, wrongful death, and workers’ compensation cases. As a mediator, I have successfully mediated approximately 1100 personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. I am the Founder of Peace Like A River Mediation Services, LLC.  I am Certified as a General Mediator by the State of Georgia. I have taught Biblical conflict resolution courses at several churches in the West Georgia area and in 2011,I taught a group of house church pastors in Cuba. In 2021, I became an approved panel member for Christian Conciliation with Relational Wisdom 360.  I am a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars relating to: various topics in Workers’ Compensation, including subrogation; trial practice; and mediation.

• West Georgia College, B.A.1979
• Mercer University, J.D. 1983

• State Bar of Georgia

• Christian Legal Society

• Member, American Association for Justice, f/k/a American Trial Lawyers Association 1982-present

• Member of National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives 2008- present

• Member, Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, Legislative Subcommittee 1992-2013, Chairman 1992-2008

• Chairman, Workers’ Compensation Section of State Bar of Georgia, 1996-1997

• Member, Workers’ Compensation Claimants’ Lawyers Section of Georgia Trial Lawyers 1988-present; Executive Committee Member 1988-2002; Chairman 1989.

• Member, Georgia Trial Lawyers’ Association 1983-present

• Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Review Commission 2001

• Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Commission 2002

• Former member of Kids’ Chance Board of Directors

• Member of the following State Bar sections: Workers’ Compensation, Tort & Insurance, ADR

• The Georgia Academy of Mediators & Arbitrators, A Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals 2009-present

• Top 100 Trial Lawyers 2014-present, The National Trial Lawyers

• Premier 100 Civil Trial Attorney, 2015, American Academy of Trial Attorneys

• Member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum

• AV Preeminent Rating in Martindale-Hubbell since 1998

• 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction (Georgia), 2015-16, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys

• Super Lawyers Selectee 2017-2022

   

   

$400.00 per hour for mediation & prep time; $125.00 per hour for travel.  $1200 minimum fee.