Atty. R. David Ware
David Ware earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia where he excelled in national Moot Court competition, a precursor to his work as a trial lawyer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Georgia (formerly West Georgia College) and attended on academic and athletic scholarships.
Commercial Litigation Attorney · Serving Atlanta, GA
Profile Summary
About R. David Ware at a Glance
R. David Ware is a business and litigation attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, practicing at Hall Booth Smith PC. Educated at University of Georgia (J.D., 1979). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026). Serves clients in Atlanta, GA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About R. David Ware
- David Ware earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia where he excelled in national Moot Court competition, a precursor to his work as a trial lawyer
- He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Georgia (formerly West Georgia College) and attended on academic and athletic scholarships
- While there, he was elected to the Blue Key National Honor society and Phi Eta Sigma (the small school counterpart of Phi Beta Kappa), served as a student government leader, and was both a nationally ranked NCAA Division II track and field athlete (he set the school record for the high jump) and on the basketball team
- David is admitted to practice in all Georgia state and federal courts along with the United States Supreme Court
- He is also a certified mediator and is on Henning Mediation’s panel of neutrals
- During his multi-faceted, 40-year career, David has represented clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies, cities and counties, as well as high-profile professional athletes and other high net worth individuals in complex litigation matters and multimillion-dollar negotiations and transactions
- He has extensive executive management experience and has played an active and prominent role in numerous professional organizations, civic groups, and legal advisory panels
- He also is an ordained minister
- Prior to Hall Booth Smith, David chose to work in public service for 11 years — 7 as the Fulton County Attorney, Georgia’s largest county
- In that role, he led a team of 25 staff attorneys and managed numerous outside counsel who provided legal advice to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and 40 departments and agencies on a range of complex matters including labor and employment actions, catastrophic personal injury suits, wrongful death claims, government contract disputes, taxation controversies, zoning law interpretations, environmental issues, construction litigation, constitutional challenges, First Amendment questions, and Section 1983 cases
- David’s most noteworthy achievements included defeating a 2014 suit of first impression brought by a group of state legislators to prevent the County from raising property taxes
- he successfully convinced a Federal District Court to end nine years of federal oversight of the County jail and represented the County in the protracted series of cases arising from the 2005 Atlanta courthouse shootings that killed four people
- But his greatest asset is his ability to try cases of all complexities
- David’s trial skills have earned him numerous accolades
- David’s litigation work in private practice for corporate clients, insurers, municipalities, and counties has covered matters ranging from alleged employment discrimination under Title VII and the ADA to general business disputes and complex personal injury litigation, as well as issues facing cities and counties
- He is a former Magistrate Court judge who sat by designation in Superior and State Court
- David is particularly adept at helping clients resolve complex disputes and provides clients with advice to avoid protracted litigation, but he is also a skilled trial attorney who has tried numerous cases to verdict
- He is also widely known for his pioneering work as a sports attorney, where David has advised and represented professional athletes in negotiations that resulted in record-setting salaries and lucrative rights agreements for his clients
- Notably, David became the first African American to represent a Heisman Trophy winner when then Oklahoma State running back and eventual NFL Hall of Fame player, Barry Sanders, hired him and he successfully challenged the National Football League’s prohibition against drafting college juniors
- He has named Agent of the Year and has been featured in and interviewed by numerous national and local print and broadcast media outlets, including Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, The Sporting News, Jet Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, and Ebony, among others
- Additionally, David has provided legal advice and counsel to entertainers and those involved in intellectual property endeavors, including serving as the legal advisor on the award winning movie, Sunday Morning Rapture
- David also has executive management experience: he was appointed to serve as the County Manager for Fulton County where he successfully balanced a billion dollar budget and saved the county $24 million
Practice Areas Explained
R. David Ware's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases R. David Ware handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Atlanta.
Business & Corporate Law in Atlanta
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
R. David Ware is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Georgia →
Civil Litigation in Atlanta
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
R. David Ware is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Georgia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Atlanta
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 Atlanta 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 venue, 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.
Atlanta Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Atlanta-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Georgia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Atlanta or all attorneys in Georgia.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Atlanta Choose R. David Ware
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish R. David Ware's practice in the field of business and litigation.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business and litigation, R. David Ware can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Atlanta
A Atlanta-based practice means R. David Ware attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues R. David Ware Handles in Atlanta
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters R. David Ware has experience with under Georgia law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact R. David Ware directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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R. David Ware's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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