Elissa Haynes joins Sports ‘N Torts for Episode 104. A former co-worker of mine, Elissa is a defense attorney and Partner in Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP’s Atlanta office, where she is Co-Chair of the firm’s National Appellate Advocacy section. Elissa’s trial and appellate practice is focused on civil cases and her background as a former plaintiff’s personal injury attorney provides her with a unique perspective and leverage to successfully resolve even the most complex cases.

As for her appellate practice, Elissa has argued before the Georgia Supreme Court and Georgia Court of Appeals and was part of the first group of attorneys to argue at the Georgia Supreme Court remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. She talks about preparing for arguments and how she approaches her presentations. Elissa routinely consults on appellate matters and often begins her involvement at the trial court level to perfect the record and maximize chances of an advantageous result in any subsequent appeal. Elissa is often at trial making sure the rules of evidence are followed and she has put in a ton of work to learn trial procedure.

 We talk about professionalism and how plaintiffs lawyers and defense attorneys should get along – me and Elissa certainly do. We even both give our definitions of “Fighting For Justice” for our particular clients.

Outside of the firm, Elissa serves as Immediate Past President of the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division (“YLD”) and on the State Bar’s Executive Committee. She also serves on the State Bar’s State Disciplinary Review Board, Indigent Defense Committee, Children and the Courts Committee, and Personnel...