Matthew F. McGahren

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Matthew F. McGahren's
VCF FileStaff Position:  Member

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Case Samples

• Negligent security claim for damages resulting from a serious arm injury sustained to a male plaintiff from the explosion that occurred during the 1996 Summer Olympics; case was resolved under confidential settlement agreement.
• Negligence claim of a daughter for the wrongful death of her mother who perished several weeks after she fell when a rusted railing collapsed at an apartment complex; case settled for confidential amount.
• Negligence claim of a daughter for the wrongful death of her mother who perished several weeks after she fell when a rusted railing collapsed at an apartment complex; case settled for confidential amount.
• Negligence claim of two teenage boys for the wrongful death of their father who died in a fire that started in an apartment he had just rented but which did not have a working smoke detector; case settled for confidential amount.
• Product liability claim of a Georgia Rock & Roll Hall of Frame musician who sustained an serious injury to his left elbow after having been struck by a retractable tape crowd control device while at the airport. Musician was no longer able to play his the drums; case settled for a confidential amount.
• Negligence claims against Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and its agents for misdiagnoses resulting in adult female becoming comatose for several weeks; case settled for confidential amount.
• Premise liability claim of a elderly woman who severely fractured her ankle (5 pins inserted) when she fell at a restaurant due to hazardous conditions; case tried to verdict in 2007 for $250,000.00.

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Practice Emphasis

• Personal Injury
  • Dangerous Property
  • Wrongful Death
  • Personal Injury – Defense Personal Injury
  • Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
• Accidents & Personal Injury
  • Construction Site Injuries
  • Jones Act
  • Slip & Fall
  • Petrochemical Accidents
  • Car/Auto Accidents
  • Whiplash Felony Auto Accident
• Dangerous Products/Product Liability
  • Design Defects
  • Manufacturing Defects
• Intentional Injuries
  • Assault & Battery
  • Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
  • Sexual Assault
• Mass Accident
  • Airplanes
  • Buildings
  • Mass Transit – Bus, Train, Subway
  • Ships & Boats
  • Toxic
  • Torts & Class Actions Asbestos Mesothelioma
• Serious/Catastrophic Injuries
  • Amputation
  • Birth Injury
  • Burn Injury
  • Head/Brain Injury
  • Paralysis

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Other Areas of Practice

• Civil Litigation
  
• Commercial Litigation
  
• Employment Law
  
• Construction Law
  
• Catastrophic Injury
  
• Personal Injury
  
• Automobile Collisions
  
• Truck Accidents
  
• Medical Malpractice
  
• HMO Liability
  
• Wrongful Death
  
• Corporate Litigation
  
• Corporate Transactions
  
• Products Liability
  
• Workers Compensation
  
• Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices
  
• Misrepresentation
  
• Appellate Practice
  
• Real Estate
  
• Child Custody
  
• Domestic Relations
  
• Wills
  
• Trusts
  
• Family Law
  
• Corporate Law
  
• Bankruptcy
  
• Social Security Disability
  
• Adoption

Licenses

• GA, Mar 1993 Bar Number: 491330
• FL, May 1995 Bar Number: 0051675
• NC, Apr 1993 Bar Number: 19698

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Court Admissions

• Supreme Court of the United States of America
• 11th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals
• 4th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals
• District of Columbia Federal Court of Appeals
• Middle and Northern Georgia Federal District Courts
• Western North Carolina Federal District Court
• Middle Florida Federal District Court
• Georgia Supreme Court
• Georgia Court of Appeals
• North Carolina Supreme Court
• North Carolina Court of Appeals
• Florida Supreme Court
• Florida Court of Appeals.

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Association Memberships

• Georgia
• North Carolina
• Florida

Schools and Degrees

• University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC
  Graduated:  1992
  Degree:  Juris Doctor School
  Honors:  Dean’s List
  Focus and Accomplishments
  • Taught trial advocacy courses to undergraduate pre-law students
  • President of Lawyers for Entrepreneurs
  • Actively assisted on civil litigation matters through law school
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
  Graduated:  1989
  Degree:  Bachelor of Arts
  Honors:  Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
  Focus and Accomplishments
  • During my senior year taught trial advocacy courses to undergraduate pre-law students
  • Appeared in college court on behalf of students charged with violating policy

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Fraternal Organizations:  Phi Beta Kappa

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Continuing Education

• Live and/or webcast seminars
• Most Continuing Legal Education seminars attended that deal with improving Trial Advocacy

Papers and Publications

• “What to Do After an Automobile Collision” Inside Gwinnett 2006
• “Reasons Why Executing Your Will Should Be A Top Priority”

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Activities and Awards

• Member of Gwinnett County Bar Association
• Member of the Atlanta Bar Association
• Lifetime Member of University of North Carolina Alumni
• Toastmasters

Birth Information:  Teaneck, New Jersey, 1967

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Personal Philosophy

• What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
  Clients should always educate themselves as much as possible.
• Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
  I am absolutely willing to review documents prepared by clients that need guidance.
• Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
  While I don’t recommend that clients represent themselves unless they truly have the necessary ability and knowledge, I have on numerous occasions advised pro se clients as to how to prosecute certain civil actions (particularly small claims actions).
• Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
  I became a lawyer because of my strong belief that the world needs to strive for fairness and justice. During high school I helped uncover misconduct involving a cover-up created by several teachers (involving drug use) and was ultimately told by the principal that I should be a lawyer.
• What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
  My father was an civil engineer who represented himself pro se because he was never able to find competent representation. Through my college years and law school, I watched my pro se father fight vigorously and defeat attorneys on numerous occasions. In essence, I was exposed to the law for nearly 7 years before becoming an attorney.
• Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
  It gives me a chance to help others and let my competitive edge abound.
• What do you like best about your career?
  I always wanted to be a superhero growing up and when I learned that most trial attorneys fight for justice I found my calling.
• Tell us about your law firm:
  Our attorneys and staff care about our clients and about creating best results possible. Everyone understands that quality is what counts and not quantity.
• What are your strengths and style?
  Competitive, compassionate, and conscientious. I believe in doing my best.
• Personal Interests:
  Dedicated Husband and Father to Two Wonderful Boys; Competitive Tennis; Creative Writing; and Filmmaking.