Atty. Michael C. Pruett
Michael Pruett is a native of Bethlehem, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law summa cum laude in 1991 and has engaged in private practice in Georgia since that time.
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About Michael C. Pruett at a glance
Michael C. Pruett is a Partner based in Athens, Georgia, practicing at Hall Booth Smith, P.C.. They have 35+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1991. Their practice focuses on wills, trusts, estate planning, and education. Admitted to practice in Georgia (1991). Educated at University of Georgia (J.D., 1991) and University of Georgia (B.B.A., 1988). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Active member of MEMBERSHIPS •State Bar of Georgia •Western Judicial Circuit Bar Association. Serands clients in Athens, GA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Michael Pruett is a native of Bethlehem, Georgia
- He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law summa cum laude in 1991 and has engaged in private practice in Georgia since that time
- He serves as County Attorney for Madison County, Georgia, General Counsel for the Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority, General Counsel for the Nicholson Water Authority, General Counsel for the Clarke County School District, and Co-General Counsel for the Walton County School District
- He has also represented numerous other governmental entities throughout his career including counties, cities, and public school districts
- Michael also practices in the area of wills, trusts, and estates
- Experience Education Since graduating law school, Michael has devoted much of his practice to the representation of school boards and other governmental entities
- He has worked with the well-known and respected education attorney Terrell W. Benton, Jr., for almost twenty years
- He has represented school district clients including the Athens-Clarke County School District (General Counsel since January 2013), the Walton County School District (General Counsel since January 2013), and the Oconee County School District
- Governmental Liability Michael has served as County Attorney of Madison County, Georgia, since 2001 and has represented numerous other governmental entities through his career including counties, cities, and public school districts
- He also frequently handles matters as outside counsel for Oconee County and Athens-Clarke County, particularly in the areas of land use and ad valorem taxation
- Wills, Trusts, & Estate Administration Michael is a member of the HBS Wills, Trusts, & Estate Administration practice group
- He was formerly a partner in the venerable Athens firm of McLeod, Benton, Begnaud & Marshall, which dissolved in 2003 after a history dating back to its formation in 1867 as the firm of Cobb & Cobb
- As part of the estate planning practice there, he gained experience working with Athens’ various banks and trust officers and benefitted from his association with some of Georgia’s finest trust and estate attorneys, including the late Larry V. McLeod, who was a member of the committee that drafted Georgia’s Revised 1998 Probate Code
- Michael represents individuals as well as institutional fiduciaries and provides counsel in both planning and administration
- Recognition •Distinguished Peer Rating for High Professional Achievement, Martindale-Hubbell, 2024 Publications •The Probate Process from Start to Finish in Georgia National Business Institute Annual Seminar •Lawyers are from Mars, Judges are from Venus Georgia Probate Notes, February 2006 In the Press HBS attorneys make Georgia Trend’s 8th annual listing of Georgia’s top attorneys December 7, 2010 Georgia Trend has officially announced their 8th annual list of Georgia’s top attorneys which includes seven of our very own here at Hall Booth Smith
- Selected by their peers, the votes were compiled and categorized by nine practice areas: business law
- personal injury litigation
- criminal law
- labor and employment
- taxes
- estates and trusts
- bankruptcy and creditors’ Read Full Article
Practice Areas Explained
Michael C. Pruett's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael C. Pruett handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Michael C. Pruett is one of 34,541 wills attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wills attorneys in Georgia →
Michael C. Pruett is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Georgia →
An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.
Michael C. Pruett is one of 226,536 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Georgia →
Education attorneys for special education (IEP), school discipline, Title IX, and student rights.
Michael C. Pruett is one of 24,079 education attorneys indexed nationally. Browse education attorneys in Georgia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Georgia
Practicing law in Georgia. Legal matters in Georgia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Athens are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Georgia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Georgia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Georgia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Georgia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Athens or all attorneys in Georgia.
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