Litigation Expertise Supports Positive Outlook at Watson Spence
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
Business disputes and injuries persist even during economic downturns. That fact of life can drive sustainable growth for law firms practicing commercial and injury litigation such as Watson Spence.
“Our current view of business is positive. We had a good year in 2009 and are off to a good start in 2010,” said F. Faison Middleton IV, managing partner of Watson Spence.
Sustainable growth in litigation
Based in Albany for more than 60 years, Watson Spence provides specialized legal services in civil litigation, complex commercial litigation, catastrophic injury litigation, family law, corporate law, real estate law, employment law, health law, public policy and government affairs as well as estate and tax planning. While fees related to real estate and business formation were negatively affected by the economic downtown, litigation work remained steady.
“We’re one of a handful of firms in southwest Georgia equipped to handle complex litigation,” Middleton explained. “As a result, we’ve been able to build our practice in this area by expanding across the region.”
Watson Spence currently has 15 attorneys, having added its newest associate in March. Chris Cohilas, former Chief Assistant District Attorney for Dougherty County, joined the firm’s litigation and trial practice as a senior associate at that time.
Predicting what lies ahead
Middleton expects increased activity in cyclical areas like real estate as the economic recovery picks up momentum. In addition, changes to tax laws should drive an increase in estate planning activity. Combined with the firm’s expanding base of litigation work, it adds up to a positive outlook for 2010.
One challenge that remains constant at Watson Spence is predicting the growth areas for the firm based on ever changing client needs and legislative and regulatory activity. As managing partner, Middleton tries to position the firm to take advantage of trends by investing the appropriate time and resources in promising areas.
“Some times we get it right. We believe health care law will remain a growing practice and expect to meet that demand while remaining focused on our traditional practice areas, especially litigation and real estate,” he said.
Since it’s impossible to predict growth areas with 100 percent accuracy, the firm focuses on staying nimble, applying resources for the benefit of existing clients while remaining poised to adapt.
Heavily invested in Albany
The partners and associates at Watson Spence serve the state and local community in a variety of ways. Many serve on local school boards and on the boards of civic and nonprofit organizations serving southwest Georgia and are alumni of local and statewide leadership programs. In addition to their commitment to such organizations, the firm’s partners and associates have a long history of leadership roles and commitment to the State Bar of Georgia, as well as local and national bar associations. The firm’s attorneys and staff support United Way and sponsor or support innumerable charitable and nonprofit organizations based in the Albany area and across the State.
“It’s hard to imagine a group of people from one organization more heavily invested in their community,” Middleton said.
Having served himself on the Board of Directors of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and with the firm’s support of campaigns of the Chamber and the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, Middleton is especially supportive of work being done to bring jobs to the area and to revitalize the downtown area, as well as the work of local legislators to help acquire state funds for expanding local colleges and universities.
The firm opened its doors in 1948 above a dress shop in downtown Albany and is located today on Residence Avenue in the heart of downtown. Watson Spence has a long-term investment in the future of both the city and the southwest Georgia region.
“Our firm has a history of commitment to excellence in legal service to our clients, a commitment to the legal profession and a commitment to our community. We intend to remain rooted here and honor these commitments going forward,” Middleton said.
More information on Watson Spence is available at www.watsonspence.com
