Insights

BANNING NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS *** For Immediate Release – April 24, 2024 *** The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued on April 23, 2024, its final rule (Rule) pursuant to which it bans noncompete agreements nationwide. This Rule will directly impact millions of businesses and as many as thirty million workers. The Rule generally does not apply to non-profit organizations.[1] Noncompete agreements are typically a part…

We extend our congratulations to Chuck Wainright on his recent appointment as Chief Risk Officer at Phoebe Putney Health System.  Serving as a partner at Watson Spence since 2013, Chuck has contributed significantly to our team for over a decade. Chuck has extensive experience handling a full array of complex litigation matters, including medical malpractice defense, product liability defense, and…

Serving as volunteer legal mentors, Watson Spence partner Alfreda Sheppard and local attorney Sandra Satchell, recently led Sherwood Christian Academy’s (SCA) first mock trial team, the Legal Eagles, to victory in the District Mock Trial Competition. The group also went on to compete in the Georgia State High School Mock Trial Competition in Atlanta in March.  Students acted as attorneys and witnesses in…

Watson Spence senior litigation partner Louis Hatcher has been selected to join the Scholar Community of Reasons to Believe, an international science apologetics ministry. The Scholar Community brings together professionals like scientists, theologians, physicians, and philosophers to explore the connections between science and Christianity.  Louis has long been active in his community—serving 16 years on the local board of education,…

Watson Spence partners, Alfreda Sheppard and Louis Hatcher, have won a big trial victory over the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC sued Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (Phoebe) for disability discrimination and retaliation in a lawsuit filed in 2017. Five years and one day after the filing of the lawsuit, a federal jury in the United Stated Middle District of…

Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, the oldest law school west of the Appalachian mountains, celebrated its 175th anniversary with events over the past weekend. As a part of the festivities, Louis Hatcher, a partner with Watson Spence LLP, was named Cumberland’s 2022 Distinguished Alumnus. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given to a Cumberland School of Law graduate who has…

Watson Spence today announced the celebration of 50 years of committed service to the firm by partner Dunn Stapleton.To honor and celebrate Stapleton on his golden anniversary, Watson Spence is donating $25,000 to the Phoebe Cancer Center.  Through this gift of support to benefit the Phoebe Cancer Center, we are proud to honor Dunn and give thanks to the doctors,…

ALBANY — Albany native Frank Middleton has becoming a doctor on his list of future goals, but whether that title will be followed by “M.D” or he will pursue a career working on biomedical devices is still up in the air. The Georgia Institute of Technology freshman will be assisted in his studies with a scholarship that will pay tuition and…

Watson Spence partners, Alfreda Sheppard and Louis Hatcher, have obtained what is reported to be the largest employment law settlement ever paid in a Lee County case by ACCG, the county’s insurer. Remarkably, the $225,000 settlement on behalf of Mike Sistrunk was obtained prior to a lawsuit being filed. Ms. Sheppard and Mr. Hatcher jointly noted: “We have been privileged…

Watson Spence today formally announced the association to the firm of Brock H. Pinson as of November 1, 2020, and Summer E. Cotten as of January 1, 2021. Summer Cotten comes to Watson Spence after a year of serving as lender’s counsel for commercial real estate transactions at Jones Day in Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Cotten is originally from Hahira, Georgia,…

In October 2020, Watson Spence attorneys Alfreda Sheppard and Louis Hatcher recovered a six-figure monetary settlement to resolve a reverse discrimination and retaliation lawsuit.  The lawsuit, filed in 2014, alleged that a white female employee of the Richmond County Probate Court was demoted and subjected to a hostile work environment by the Richmond County Probate Court Judge, an African-American male. …

Louis Hatcher ’90, and his wife Ovaline, have been Cumberland supporters for many years. Recently they helped initiate the new Law Student Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) that supports Cumberland students in need. And, there will soon be a newly renovated classroom in Robinson Hall, thanks to their generosity. Here’s their story and why they give back to Cumberland School of…

Watson Spence is committed to the health and safety of our team, our clients, and our community.   In an effort to comply with the current safety recommendations in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we have closed our reception area and common areas to clients or visitors for the short term.  We remain open to handle clients’ needs and provide the…