Swift Currie Continues Growth With Addition of 6 Attorneys in Atlanta
Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, announces the addition of six new attorneys in the firm’s Atlanta office. The additions include senior attorney Traci Teer, as well as attorneys Kristin Tucker, Christopher Beerman, Shivam Kumar, Gerond Lawrence and Philip Poole.
“We are excited to continue adding to our deeply experienced workers’ compensation and commercial litigation sections with these talented attorneys,” said Terry Brantley, the firm’s managing partner. “We’re committed to ensuring our clients have the legal support and service to succeed, especially as we address evolving needs in uncertain days ahead, and we are grateful to add their capabilities to bolster our services.”
Traci Teer brings more than 20 years of experience to Swift Currie’s workers’ compensation practice. Teer defends employers, insurers and third-party administrators in claims involving complex medical issues impacting work status, as well as multiple injury claims. She has extensive experience managing and working independently on cases from initial assignment through settlement or trial and appeal. Prior to joining the firm, Teer was an attorney in the workers’ compensation practice of another Atlanta-area firm. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her law degree from Georgia State University College of Law.
Kristin Tucker practices in the firm’s coverage and commercial litigation section. She is a skilled litigator representing national insurers in matters involving first- and third-party coverage, fraud, bad faith and general liability defense. Previously, Tucker frequently represented clients in state, federal and appellate courts on matters ranging from trade secret litigation and contract disputes to real property and business tort-related actions. She earned her undergraduate degree from Agnes Scott College and law degree from Emory University School of Law and has been recognized as a Rising Star by Georgia Super Lawyers since 2016.
Christopher Beerman joins the firm’s workers’ compensation practice, concentrating on the defense of employers throughout various stages of workplace injury claims. Prior to joining Swift Currie, Beerman practiced criminal defense law, handling all aspects of criminal charges in Georgia. Beerman previously served as an assistant solicitor-general and assistant district attorney for the Columbus Consolidated Government, as well as a staff attorney in the Georgia Superior Courts (Northern Circuit). Beerman earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and his law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Shivam Kumar defends employers and insurance companies in workers’ compensation claims. Previously, Kumar was an associate attorney at another firm, where he managed approximately 75 workers’ compensation cases and frequently conducted depositions and mediations. He also served as a staff attorney and law clerk for the Southeastern Legal Foundation, writing amicus briefs to the Supreme Court of the United States. Additionally, he clerked for the Beacon Center of Tennessee, where he worked closely with state legislators to compile data for the “Right to Earn a Living Act.” Kumar earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University and his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School.
Gerond Lawrence joins the firm’s coverage and commercial litigation section. He possesses experience representing Fortune 500 companies, insurance carriers, health care providers, municipalities, transit authorities and individuals in claims related to catastrophic injury & wrongful death, commercial litigation, employment counseling & litigation and premises liability. Previously, Lawrence practiced at another Atlanta-area law firm, where he handled all phases of litigation defense and conducted bench and jury trials in federal and state courts. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Georgia Super Lawyers since 2018 and was recognized in the Top 40 Under 40 class by the National Black Lawyers in 2019. Lawrence earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Philip Poole focuses his practice on commercial litigation, defending both insurers and insureds in a wide variety of cases involving first-party coverage disputes and third-party liability in state and federal courts. Before joining the firm, Poole served as a law clerk to the Honorable John T. Simpson in Carroll County Superior Court, assisting the judge in several civil and criminal cases. In this role, he helped victims of family violence by hearing all Domestic Violence Restraining Order petitions in the circuit. He also assisted the judge with his duties in the Parental Accountability Court Program, as well as the Coweta County Veterans Treatment Court. Additionally, Poole drafted orders in serious criminal, domestic and civil matters. Poole earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.
The attorneys were featured in an article published by the Daily Report on July 13, available here.
About Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP
Based on more than 50 years of representing clients in Georgia, Alabama and throughout the country, Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, has evolved into a law firm capable of handling all areas of civil law and litigation. With over 150 attorneys, Swift Currie possesses the resources and abilities to tackle the most complex legal problems, while at the same time, providing its clients with individualized, prompt and cost-effective service. The firm has a wealth of experience across numerous practice areas and its depth of legal talent allows the firm to tailor such strengths to individual cases. For more information, please visit swiftcurrie.com.