Real Trial Lawyers Helping People Solve Real Problems
J. Michael McGarity Esq.

J. Michael McGarity Esq.
As the founder of The McGarity Group, a highly reputable Buford personal injury law firm, J. Michael McGarity is a distinguished trial lawyer in Georgia.
As a dedicated and award-winning personal injury attorney, he has been representing clients since 1979 with compassion and distinction.
Contact Me:
Phone: 770-932-8477
Don’t hesitate to get in touch for a complimentary case review.
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury
Helping clients secure compensation for injuries caused by others’ negligence. - Car Wrecks
As an injury attorney in Budford, GA we provide experienced representation for victims of car accidents to recover damages. - Truck Wrecks
Advocate for clients injured in truck accidents due to negligence or safety violations. - Medical Malpractice
Holding healthcare providers accountable for injuries due to substandard care. - Wrongful Death
Supporting families seeking justice and compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one. - Brain Injury
Pursuing rightful compensation for life-altering brain injuries caused by negligence. - Divorce/family law
Guiding families through divorce, custody, and other family law matters with compassion.
Biography
Mike McGarity's practice focuses primarily in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, civil litigation, family law, malpractice litigation, general business litigation and business law. He considers himself a problem solver/trial lawyer. He has represented individuals and their businesses in a wide variety of situations and complex areas. He believes in providing big firm quality with a small boutique firm service.
McGarity was named a "Georgia Super Lawyers" beginning in 2005, 2006 and again for 2008 by Atlanta Magazine and Law & Politics in the practice area of General Litigation and has received this award every year from 2008 forward. This is a peer review designation. Since 1987 he has been given an AV rating by the Martindale-Hubbell National Legal Directory, the highest such designation given for both lawyer competence and integrity.
McGarity graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1976, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. Upon receiving his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School Of Law in 1979, McGarity joined the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney.
In 1997, McGarity was appointed by Attorney General Thurbert Baker as Special Assistant Attorney General and for four years represented the Gwinnett County Child Support Enforcement Division. He was appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia as Special Master in several disciplinary matters and has tried well over a hundred jury trials and hundreds of bench trials.
McGarity shifted into private practice, joining the Lawrenceville firm of Webb, Fowler, and Tanner as an associate. He became partner in that firm after trying many complex litigation cases, including wrongful death claims, medical malpractice, personal injury, multi-party claims, felony criminal trials and real estate litigation matters. McGarity was later named partner at Anderson, Tate, Mahaffey and McGarity, where he spent four and a half years before opening The McGarity Group in September of 2006.
McGarity is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, The United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
McGarity is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, the Old War Horse Lawyer's Club, and the Atlanta Bar Association and was a Past President of the Gwinnett County Bar Association. He is a current trustee of the Homer M. Stark Law Library Board of Trustees.
McGarity is an active community leader as well. He formerly served as president of the Northeast Georgia Council for the Boy Scouts (covering 26 Georgia counties) and was a trustee for Georgia Gwinnett College. He is a 1986 graduate of Leadership Gwinnett and a member of the Braselton Rotary Club, former member of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Club, former member of the Gwinnett County Board for the Department of Family and Children's Services and former member of the J.M. Tull YMCA Board of Directors (honored with Gwinnett's YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award). He and his wife, Caryn, live in the Braselton area of Gwinnett County with their gaggle of bird dogs.
Education
- University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia
- J.D - 1979
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
- B.S. - 1976
- Major: Industrial Management
Honors
Honorary Super Lawyer
Michael McGarity Esq. has been selected amongst the “Super Lawyers” for 19 years, a distinguished directory for some of the best attorneys in the US, with a rigorous selection process.
In the Top 100
In 2021, J. Michael McGarity was selected to be in The Top 100 High Stakes Litigators. This is an invitation-only honor recognizing the most exceptional attorneys in the US.
Further honors:
- Lawyers of Distinction for Excellence in Personal Injury Law.
- Silver Beaver Award (Boy Scouts of America)
- Volunteer of the Year Award, Gwinnett YMCA
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated – 1987 – Present
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Paul Harris Fellow, Braselton Rotary Club
- Will Watt Fellow, Braselton Rotary Club
Bar Admissions
- Georgia, 1979
- Georgia Court of Appeals, 1979
- Supreme Court of Georgia, 1979
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
Professional Associations
- Gwinnett County Bar Association, President, 1984 to 1985
- State Bar of Georgia, Member
- Lawyers Club of Atlanta, Member
- Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- Litigation Counsel of America, Member
- The American Association for Justice, Member
- Old War Horse Lawyers Club
- Gwinnett County Law Library, Trustee
- Supreme Court of Georgia, Special Master
Community Involvement
- Northeast Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America, President 2003-2008
- Georgia Gwinnett College, Former Trustee
- Rotary Club Braselton
- Gwinnett County Board, Department of Family and Children Services, Former Member
- Environmental Heritage Center Foundation, Former Trustee
- Environmental Heritage Center Foundation, Former Chairman
- Northeast Georgia Council for the Boy Scouts, Executive Board of Directors, Member
- Leadership Gwinnett, Graduate, 1986
- Braselton Rotary Club, Member
- Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, Former Member
- J.M. Tull YMCA, Board of Directors, Member, 1985-1989
- Mill Creek High School, Mock Trial Team, Coach
- Legends of Chateau Elan Homeowners Association, Past President
- Legends of Chateau Elan Homeowners Association, Past Board Member
Representative Clients
- Nash Chevrolet Company
- Andrew Electric
- Cotton Calf Kitchen
- Greenwood Star LLC
- Premier Construction Systems
- Gainesville Truck Center
Fraternities or Sororities
- Sigma Nu
References
- Todd Nash
- Joseph Andrew
- Butch Conway (Former Sheriff Gwinnett County)
- Lisa Li
- Danny Porter (Former Gwinnett County District Attorney)
Past Positions
- State of Georgia, Special Assistant Attorney General
- Lawrenceville firm of Webb, Fowler and Tanner, Partner
- Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office, Assistant District Attorney
- Andersen, Tate, Mahaffey & McGarity, Partner
- Gwinnett County Law Library Board of Trustees, 12/2013 To Present
Current Employment Position
- Partner
FAQs
What should I look for when hiring a personal injury attorney?
When hiring a Buford personal injury law firm, consider their experience in personal injury cases, reputation for securing favorable settlements, and communication style. Look for a personal injury attorney who is dedicated to representing your best interests and has a strong track record in cases similar to yours.
How can a personal injury attorney help with my case?
A personal injury attorney, like Jay Michael, can assist you by gathering crucial evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and building a strong case. With the expertise of an injury attorney in Buford, GA, you can maximize your compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
When should I contact a personal injury attorney after an accident?
It’s advisable to contact a Buford personal injury law firm as soon as possible after an accident. Early intervention by a personal injury attorney can help preserve evidence, ensure proper documentation, and protect your rights as you navigate the claims process.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?
Most personal injury attorneys, including those at McGarity Law Firm, operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if you win your case. This makes hiring an injury attorney in Buford, GA, financially feasible, as their fees are typically a percentage of the settlement or award.
How long does a personal injury case take to resolve?
The duration of a personal injury case can vary significantly based on the complexity of the case and the willingness of insurance companies to negotiate. On average, a case handled by a Buford personal injury law firm may take several months to a few years to reach a resolution.
What types of personal injury cases does McGarity J. Michael handle?
McGarity J. Michael handles various personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck wrecks, medical malpractice, and wrongful death claims. As a dedicated personal injury attorney, he is committed to securing justice for his clients in Buford and surrounding areas.
What is the role of a personal injury attorney in a settlement?
A personal injury attorney plays a critical role in negotiating settlements on behalf of their clients. They evaluate the full extent of your damages, engage in discussions with insurance companies, and work to ensure that you receive a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your case.