Miles Patterson Hansford Tallant, LLC was founded in 2010 in Cumming, Georgia as a general practice firm, concentrating in business litigation, business planning, land use/real estate, government representation, Georgia family law, criminal defense, and estate planning. Its four founding partners are Dana B. Miles, Jennifer D. Patterson, Brian A. Hanford and Kevin J. Tallant, which combined have over 50 years of experience practicing law. Miles Patterson Hansford Tallant was formed by the merging of the two firms Miles & Tallant, LLC and Patterson & Hansford, P.C.. Four associates joining them in this formation are Wendy W. Kraby, E. Logan Butler, Lauren C. Giles and Jefferson M. Starr.
Georgia Family Law Firm Overview
Today, MPHT continues to be a growing and successful law office in downtown Cumming, with a home town feel and an assertive reputation. We serve businesses, individuals and organizations in Forsyth, Dawson and surrounding Counties. From start-ups to established corporations, our clients include small to midsize businesses in a range of markets, including manufacturing, construction, development, retail and professional practices. The firm handles a wide range of business disputes through the local county, state and federal courts. For businesses, we offer business planning services including corporation or LLC formation, buying or selling a business, contract negotiations, and succession planning. We also represent government entities in a wide range of matters including business development, zoning, land planning, contract negotiation, and code and ordinance drafting and enforcement. Founding partner Dana Miles currently serves as the city attorney for Cumming and Dawsonville, while Jennifer Patterson spends every day fighting for the legal rights of her family law clients. In addition to criminal defense, founding partner Brian Hansford currently serves as Associate Judge in the City of Milton Municipal Court and as an Associate Judge in the City of Roswell Municipal Court. Kevin Tallant is a Forsyth County native who focuses on business litigation, local government, and land use law. Kevin is active in the local community, serving as Past-President of the Board of Directors of the Forsyth County Community Connection and is Lieutenant Governor's appointee to the Council of the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. MPHT includes associate Logan Butler who specializes in Criminal Law, juvenile cases and all other felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses and associates Wendy W. Kraby and Lauren C. Giles, who both practice business planning and corporate transactions, as well as business-based litigation. In addition, associate Jefferson Starr practices include general corporate and business litigation, family law, local government law, and real property disputes.
PRACTICE AREAS
Whether in a mediation, an arbitration, a courtroom or on appeal, Miles Patterson Hansford Tallant has the litigation and trial experience necessary to represent you as an advocate and secure the best possible outcome for your situation. We work as a team to draw on the collective experience of our attorneys and the varied practice areas of our firm. This approach allows our litigation team to efficiently sort through the issues of each case and determine the best course for the litigation. The firm and its attorneys pride themselves on the work they produce, their advocacy skills, and the level of representation they provide. If you are in need of litigation counsel, we look forward to assisting you however we can.
Our litigation attorneys handle most if not all of the general litigation needs for small to medium size businesses and organizations. This includes representing businesses in contract disputes, commercial law claims, and collection matters. Whether it is a covenant not to compete, fraud, embezzlement, deceptive trade practices, business dissolutions, or any number of other issues, Miles Patterson Hansford Tallant provides its clients with the highest level of legal advice and advocacy. We work to effectively and efficiently resolve corporate legal disputes before they rise to the level of litigation, and then to aggressively represent the client if litigation becomes necessary.
For lenders and banking institutions, our attorneys have experience litigating issues growing out of the lender-borrower relationship. We represent banking institutions in complex collection matters arising from defaulted commercial and personal loans. We also represent title companies on any issues that arise out of title insurance claims, such as disputes over property and boundary lines.
Real Estate and Zoning Law
In an area with as much change, growth, and development potential as there is in North Georgia, a thorough understanding of land use and real estate law is essential to guiding clients to make good decisions. No matter if you are an individual or a corporation, a banker or a borrower, a developer or a landowner, the government or a taxpayer, Miles Patterson Hansford Tallant has the knowledge and experience essential to advise and represent you in all matters concerning land. Our attorneys have significant experience litigating real estate issues such as disputes arising from purchase agreements and construction contracts, disputes over title to land and zoning and land use claims.
As the City attorney for the City of Cumming and as attorney for the City of Dawsonville, our firm works to meet all the legal needs of each City's mayor, city council and city departments in the daily operation of local government and in defending our municipal clients in litigation matters. This practice functions as a general local government practice and includes matters such as attending city council and other city related meetings, negotiating and litigating condemnation matters, assisting with procedural and advertisement requirements, assisting with real estate matters, particularly involving road and water and sewer acquisitions, advising and assisting with planning and zoning matters, drafting and negotiating contracts, bid packages and related procurement matters, and drafting local ordinances. While governments are often presented with issues common to individuals and businesses, the legal implications of those issues can be drastically different because of the public nature of the governmental client. Having a firm with a battery of knowledge and experience in this very particular realm is essential to success. MPHT is equipped to provide this knowledge and experience and welcomes the opportunity to discuss its governmental representation with you. Our goal is to provide quality legal representation to ensure that the local government is best protected from the risk of liability, while safe guarding the public's trust in a practical and efficient manner.
People who are facing criminal charges often feel hopeless. It isn't easy to comprehend Georgia criminal law or the way the legal system works, especially when your freedom is at jeopardy. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is not hiring a capable Georgia criminal defense attorney after they have been charged with a crime. Without the representation of an attorney, people can make mistakes that may cost them their freedom, time, and money. In Georgia, common criminal offenses include: sex crimes, drug crimes, white collar crimes, violent crimes, and driving while under the influence (DUI)
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you need to speak with a qualified Georgia attorney. Our criminal defense attorneys can evaluate your case, inform you of your legal options, and guide you throughout the legal process. By providing clients with one-on-one attention, our attorneys build strong defenses that produce winning outcomes in court. At MPHT clients receive the assertive, committed legal representation they need to defend themselves against their Georgia criminal charges and we will also serve as your advocate in court and ensure that your individual rights are not violated.
Family law is a practice area that addresses divorce, child custody, child support, division of property, domestic relations, and adoption issues. Often times, families that are dealing a family law matter are going through an emotionally challenging time. Spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, children, and grandparents can all feel the impact of most family law issues. Whether the issue is divorce, or adoption, families can encounter a variety of obstacles that can lead to further distress. Many of these obstacles are legal in nature, which makes it all the more difficult.
MPHT is dedicated to preserving the best interests of our Georgia clients. Our team of experienced attorneys understands the emotional frustration and complications that accompany most family law matters. That is why we strive to provide our clients with committed, empathetic legal advice. Our lawyers have handled family law cases involving: divorce, child custody, child support, division of property, and adoption. With our help, clients have been able to work through their family law matters comfortably. We can evaluate your case and inform you of your best options and we will do everything possible to produce the best outcome on your behalf, all while taking into consideration the sensitive nature of your case.
Corporate/Business Transactions and Planning
The first step to any successful business is planning. Whether you intend to acquire an existing business, start a new one from scratch, establish a non-profit or anything in between, Miles Patterson Hansford Tallant can guide you through the process. Our goal is to form long lasting partnerships with our clients and to provide a coordinated range of professional business services specifically tailored to the client's needs. In addition to formation issues, the attorneys of MPHT can also offer you protection through employment agreements, covenants not to compete, trademark and service mark registration, copyright registration, and business succession planning.
Our business lawyers also possess substantial experience with the transactional events in the life of a company, including mergers, stock and asset acquisitions, business outsourcing, joint ventures, corporate restructuring, venture capital and other debt and equity financing transactions.
Our lawyers have represented domestic and foreign companies in technology, manufacturing, distribution, and other industry sectors. We serve as counsel for profit and non-profit corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships. Through our business planning practice, let us help you be as successful as you can be.
Miles Patterson Hansford Tallant has the experience, understanding, and dedication to take care of all of your estate planning needs. We specialize in Wills, Georgia Advance Directives, Trusts, and Probate of Estates. Mr. Tallant has been appointed as a Guardian ad Litem by Judge Lynwood D. Jordan, Jr. of the Probate Court of Forsyth County and as a Guardian he serves in the interests of minors, deceased, and various other probate matters. Along with be appointed Guardian, his other appointments include Administrator, Personal Representative, Conservator and other positions in the estate probating process. Mr. Tallant is also co-creator of Forsyth County's Wills for Heroes, which is a program to help Forsyth County's first responders acquire their Wills. Mr. Tallant volunteers his time with this program to provide free Last Will & Testaments and free Living Wills to police officers, firefighters, and other first responders within the County.
You’re not hiring a lawyer. You’re hiring a legal team!