GRAHAM E. McDONALD

ATLANTA BUSINESS LITIGATION ATTORNEY

A founding member of O’Daniel McDonald, LLC, Graham is a litigator with well-recognized success in complex civil matters at both the state and federal levels.

Graham’s practice is heavily focused on business and commercial litigation, including disputes related to wide-ranging contracts, business transactions, business operations, fiduciary duties, and partnership and ownership matters. He also has significant experience in litigation involving real estate, construction and development matters; commercial landlord-tenant relationships; franchisor-franchisee matters; non-competes and restrictive covenants; insurance related disputes; and estate and trust matters.

Graham’s commitment to his clients is firmly based in a 360-degree approach that works to take a broad and all-encompassing view of each client’s interests, thereby formulating a unique and targeted legal strategy to protect those interests, with heavy emphasis on risk management and the avoidance of disruptive and costly disputes. In addition to working closely with the in-house attorneys of his larger clients, Graham regularly works directly with ownership and management, including through what he describes as an “outside” general counsel role.

Graham has been appointed Special Assistant Attorney General by the Attorney General of Georgia, has served as Special Master in Fulton County Superior Court and is a member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia. Super Lawyers has repeatedly recognized Graham as both a Georgia Super Lawyer, and, prior to that, a Rising Star.

In 2013, Graham was elected to the City Council for Sandy Springs, then the 2nd largest city in Metro Atlanta and the 6th largest city in Georgia. Graham served on city council until 2016, when he qualified, with the encouragement of many community leaders, to run for Georgia's State House of Representatives.

Outside of the practice of law, Graham and his wife, Kelly, stay busy trying to keep up with their three boys. When time allows, Graham also enjoys hunting, fishing, golf and reading.

Education:

Georgia State University College of Law - Juris Doctor
University of Virginia - Bachelor of Arts

Admissions:

United States Supreme Court
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
All Georgia trial and appellate courts
State Bar of Georgia

Other Community Involvement:

Member - Board of Governors – State Bar of Georgia (2020-present)
Member – State Bar of Georgia’s Office of the General Counsel Overview Committee (2021-present)
Vice Chair - State Bar of Georgia's Advisory Committee on Legislation (present)
Member - State Bar of Georgia's Advisory Committee on Legislation (2015-16; 2019-present)
Member - State Bar of Georgia’s Programs Committee (2018-present)
Member – Lawyers Club of Atlanta (2020-present)
President; Treasurer; Board of Directors; Member - Sandy Springs Bar Association (2017; 2013; 2014-15, 2018; 2019-present)
Member – North Fulton Bar Association (2019-23)
Board of Directors – Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber (2019-21)
Member - Georgia State University College of Law Alumni Council (2018-21)
Board of Trustees - Leadership Sandy Springs (2013-19)
President - Art Sandy Springs (2018-19)
Vice Chairman - City of Sandy Springs Economic Development Advisory Committee (2012-13)
Board of Directors - Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia (2012-13)
Alumnus - Leadership Sandy Springs (2013)
Board of Trustees - Cobb County Bar Association (2011-12)
President - Cobb County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (2011-12)
Alumnus - State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division’s Leadership Academy (2010)