- October 23, 2023
- News, Tread Syfan
Chamber Honors Tread Syfan With W.G. Mealor Award
Stewart Melvin & Frost partner Tread Syfan was honored with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s W.G. Mealor Chairman’s Choice Award at the chamber’s
An UNCOMMON law firm.
In the heart of a RENAISSANCE city.
AN UNCOMMON PRACTICE
Skilled, Experienced, and Responsive North Georgia Lawyers in Gainesville, GA
The attorneys at Stewart, Melvin & Frost have decades of experience dealing with a wide array of legal issues faced by individuals, companies, and governments throughout North Georgia. Stewart, Melvin & Frost has become the law firm that North Georgia trusts with transparent, high-quality legal representation. Whether you are facing a crisis resulting from someone else’s conduct, experienced the loss of a loved one, or need legal guidance with tax planning, business matters or the purchase of real estate, Stewart, Melvin & Frost has been representing clients throughout North Georgia for over eight decades. No matter your situation, the attorneys at Stewart, Melvin & Frost are here when you need trusted legal representation.
Contact Stewart, Melvin & Frost at 770-536-0101 to schedule a consultation.
SERVICES
Legal Services Are Based in Gainesville, GA
Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
Corporate, Financial & Banking
Civil Litigation
Divorce & Family Law
Estate Planning & Administration
Mediation/Arbitration
County/Municipal Government
Bond Financing
Tax Law
Commercial Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
ATTORNEYS
Meet Our New
Residential Real Estate Team
Northeast Georgia’s Own Women-Led Real Estate Team
Stewart Melvin & Frost partners Whitney Syfan Brown and Anna Adams Orkins are taking a fresh new approach to the firm’s residential real estate practice. Our firm has formed longstanding relationships and a strong reputation with local real estate brokers, lenders, investors, business owners, and homeowners looking to buy, sell, or lease. Whitney and Anna bring new energy and expertise to build on that tradition.
STEWART, MELVIN & FROST
LEGAL SERVICES
Gainesville Legal Services for Individuals
Stewart, Melvin & Frost offers a variety of legal services for individuals with legal issues. These services include civil litigation, business formation and development, estate planning, family law, tax law, real estate closings, personal injury, wrongful death and much more.
No matter what you might be going through, the lawyers at Stewart, Melvin & Frost will make sure you receive skilled, high-quality representation.
OUR TEAM
Attorneys
Client Success — Our Best Measure of Success
Anna A. Orkins
Attorney
After years of practicing law in the areas of wills, trusts, and estates, Anna Adams Orkins joined the firm’s estate planning and probate section in January of 2019. A partner in the firm, she continues to focus her practice on estate planning and probate, including the preparation of wills and trusts, incapacity planning, probate and administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and real estate issues. Prior to joining Stewart, Melvin & Frost, Anna was an attorney for several years at an estate planning law firm in Roswell, before opening her own estate planning and probate practice
Anna A. Orkins
Attorney
Attorney
Mark W. Alexander
Attorney
Among his colleagues in the Georgia Bar, Mark Alexander is a well-respected trial attorney and partner in the litigation section of Stewart, Melvin & Frost. To his clients, he is best described as a “Crisis Navigator.”
Mark W. Alexander
Attorney
Attorney
Whitney S. Brown
Attorney
Whitney S. Brown, a partner, has been with our firm since 2017. A Gainesville native, Whitney moved back to her hometown to practice law after working in Atlanta. She focuses her practice on public finance, offering both bond counsel and underwriter’s counsel services. In addition to public finance, Whitney has expertise in local government law, general business law, commercial real estate matters, commercial lending, estate planning and probate.
Whitney S. Brown
Attorney
Attorney
Ronald F. Chicken
Attorney
Ron Chicken is a partner in the firm’s civil litigation and alternate dispute resolution divisions. Primarily he focuses on business litigation and real estate related litigation, but his legal interests are as wide as his clients’ needs, as he is always eager to help serve those seeking sound legal counsel. Whether it is a small personal matter or a larger corporate dispute, Ron and the legal team at SMF are ready to help.
Ronald F. Chicken
Attorney
Attorney
Steven A. Cornelison
Attorney
Partner Steve Cornelison is known for his attention to detail, thorough knowledge, and wide experience in his practice areas, including ERISA, federal taxation and commercial business transactions in Gainesville, GA.
Steven A. Cornelison
Attorney
Attorney
J. Randall Frost
Attorney
Known for his dedication and high degree of professionalism, managing partner Randall Frost devotes his practice to general business, banking, commercial real estate and municipal and county government law.
J. Randall Frost
Attorney
Attorney
Brook A. Davidson
Attorney
Brook joined the firm’s probate litigation practice in February of 2015. She works with clients to develop estate plans and provide representation through the probate, administration, guardianship and conservatorship process.
Brook A. Davidson
Attorney
Attorney
J.C. Highsmith Jr.
Attorney
Named partner in 1987, Bucky Highsmith has been with Stewart, Melvin & Frost since 1983.
In his practice, Bucky specializes in trust administration, estate settlement, wills, trusts, estate planning, guardianship matters, probate, estate litigation, will contests, estate tax planning and financial protection for older people.
J.C. Highsmith Jr.
Attorney
Attorney
D. Thomas LeFevre
Attorney
Tom LeFevre joined the firm in 1996 as a partner focusing on commercial real estate matters. He has practiced law in the Gainesville area since 1980.
D. Thomas LeFevre
Attorney
Attorney
Nancy Richardson
Of Counsel
In addition to leading the firm’s collaborative practice, Nancy Richardson provides counsel and research in the firm’s litigation and corporate sections.
Nancy was the first attorney in the Gainesville area to be trained in the flexible model of collaborative practice – an alternative to divorce litigation – in association with local mental health and financial professionals.
Nancy Richardson
Of Counsel
Of Counsel
T. Treadwell Syfan
Attorney
Tread Syfan, a partner in the firm, specializes in municipal bond law, securities law, commercial real estate matters and commercial lending.
As bond counsel, Tread assists local governments in Northeast Georgia in obtaining tax-exempt financing for infrastructure projects, primarily schools and water and sewer improvements.
T. Treadwell Syfan
Attorney
Attorney
John P. Strupe
Attorney
John Patrick Strupe, an associate in the firm’s probate and estate planning section, joined the firm in 2018 after earning his Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida. As a Certified Public Accountant, John worked in various accounting roles for both large public companies and small privately-held businesses. After several years in the accounting profession, he attended law school at Georgia State University where he earned his law degree.
John P. Strupe
Attorney
Attorney
Eric P. Wilborn
Attorney
Eric is a Georgia native from Buford in Gwinnett County. He joined Stewart, Melvin & Frost’s probate and estate planning section in 2016. Eric previously practiced law with Hollberg & Weaver, LLP in Buckhead, a litigation law firm specializing in personal injury, federal court litigation, business and complex litigation, divorce defense, and estate planning. Previously, Eric practiced in Gwinnett County primarily in the areas of probate, guardianship and conservatorship issues.
Eric P. Wilborn
Attorney
Attorney
OUR TEAM
Attorneys
Client Success — Our Best Measure of Success
CORPORATE
LEGAL SERVICES
Gainesville Corporate Law Services
Running a business comes with many legal challenges. Professional technical expertise in business matters combined with skilled representation can help businesses overcome these challenges.
Stewart, Melvin & Frost’s lawyers in Gainesville, Ga., provide legal services to corporations such as incorporation, bond financing, real estate acquisition and development, federal and state tax help, equity financing, leasing agreements, mergers and acquisitions, compliance, and non-compete agreements.
STEWART, MELVIN & FROST
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Choose Stewart, Melvin & Frost?
Stewart, Melvin & Frost has been providing legal services in Gainesville, Ga. since 1936. Over the years, the firm has grown to be one of the largest law firms in North Georgia with over 15 attorneys working in a variety of specialized practice areas. The attorneys at Stewart, Melvin & Frost are best defined by their work ethic and commitment to providing excellent representation to all.
To schedule a consultation, call 770-536-0101.
FAQS
FAQs About Legal Services in Gainesville, GA
WHEN SHOULD I CALL A LAWYER AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?
You will want to call a lawyer before having any substantive conversations about the car accident with any insurance company. It is strongly recommended that you call an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as you have received treatment for your immediate injuries, and it is safe to do so.
Talking to a lawyer will help you make better, more informed decisions about what to do after a car accident. It is never too soon to call a lawyer, as they will tell you exactly what you need to record and document for your case to make sure you are protected against the big insurance companies.
WHAT DAMAGES ARE AVAILABLE IN A PERSONAL INJURY CASE?
In Georgia, there are three different types of damages that you can be awarded in a personal injury case. There are special damages, also known as economic damages, which are the direct and indirect financial costs that you sustained from the accident. General damages are awarded on a non-economic basis and can be awarded on the basis of pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and other factors. Punitive damages are used for punishing defendants for reckless conduct.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SETTLE A CLAIM?
It depends on how you decide to proceed. It may be preferable for you to settle out of court, in which your claim could go through in a few short months. However, if you decide to take your matter to court, or if your claim involves more complex legal or factual issues, it could take a longer time before you’re able to resolve your claim.
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NEWS
Blog
- April 3, 2023
- Anna Orkins, News, Whitney S. Brown
Stewart Melvin & Frost Partners Brown and Orkins Lead Residential Real Estate Division
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (March 2023) – Stewart Melvin & Frost partners Whitney Syfan Brown and Anna Adams Orkins are now leading the firm’s residential real
- March 29, 2023
- Legal Briefs, Steve Cornelison
Three FAQs Concerning 1031 Exchanges – Q&A With Steven A. Cornelison
Q: Do I have to reinvest more than my equity (sales price less mortgage) when I sell an investment real property to use Section
- February 17, 2023
- J. C. Highsmith Jr., Legal Briefs
Reviewing Your Estate Plan After an Out of State Move – Q&A With J. C. Highsmith, Jr.
Q: Are the estate planning documents I signed while living in another state still be valid now that I’ve become a Georgia resident? A:
- February 17, 2023
- J. C. Highsmith Jr., Legal Briefs
Addressing an Estranged Child in Your Will & Trust – Q&A With J. C. Highsmith, Jr.
Q: If I don’t want my estranged child to receive an inheritance at my death, do I need to leave them a minimal amount
- February 17, 2023
- J. C. Highsmith Jr., Legal Briefs
Financial Best Practices as We Age – Q&A With J. C. Highsmith, Jr.
Q: Should I add my adult child’s name to my bank account if I become too ill to pay my own bills? A: No,