News

City of Atlanta passes ordinance requiring registration of vacant property

On December 5, 2011, the Atlanta City Council voted 14-0 to approve an ordinance requiring owners of vacant property to register with the City’s Office of Code Enforcement. The ordinance applies to commercial and residential structures in which occupancy has ceased for more than 30 days. Owners of such properties must, within 30 days of acquiring ownership, pay an annual registration fee of $100, file a registration statement with the Office of Code Enforcement that includes the name and contact… (Read more)

Scott E. Hitch Joins Thompson | O’Brien as Partner

Thompson, O’Brien, Kemp and Nasuti is pleased to announce that Scott E. Hitch has joined the firm as a Partner. His focus on federal, state and local environmental and energy matters, including litigation, enforcement, transactional and regulatory advice; legal issues involving sustainable building design; land conservation matters; and corporate and real estate law brings a new diversity to the firm’s existing practice areas. Mr. Hitch was selected to the “Rising Stars” list by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine in… (Read more)

Corrie Elder Completes SBA 504 Loan Closing Course

Corrie Elder recently completed the SBA 504 Loan Closing course, an intensive three-day training course in Atlanta as a prerequisite to participation in the SBA’s Designated 504 Closing Counsel/Priority CDC program for expedited closings. The firm is pleased to continue to offer assistance to clients in documenting and closing SBA 504 loans, performing eligibility reviews, and providing guidance on regulatory and procedural changes to the SBA 504 program. Thompson O’Brien is an Affiliate Member of the National Association of Development… (Read more)

Aaron M. Kappler and Erin R. Moore obtain a six-figure jury verdict

Aaron M. Kappler and Erin R. Moore successfully represented a corporation against a former officer in a jury trial in the Forsyth County Superior Court. The corporation asserted that the former officer had breached the fiduciary duties that he owed to the corporation and converted and misappropriated corporate assets.  The former officer claimed that he did not owe the corporation any fiduciary duty and denied that he misappropriated the assets.  The six person jury found in favor of the… (Read more)

Partner Ted W. Hight III successfully defends top Fortune 500 company

Partner Ted W. Hight III successfully defended one of the world’s largest commercial financing companies against a $120 million counterclaim asserted in the Superior Court of Sumter County, Georgia.

Partner Bret T. Thrasher selected to the 25th class of Leadership Gwinnett for 2009

Partner Bret T. Thrasher was one of 36 out of nearly 800 applicants selected to the 25th class of Leadership Gwinnett for 2009. Leadership Gwinnett is a nine month program providing a diverse group of existing and emerging leaders a unique opportunity to experience many of the challenges facing Gwinnett.

J. Patrick O’Brien Successful Appeal

Partner J. Patrick O’Brien and Associate Aaron M. Kappler successfully appealed and reversed a trial court’s order denying their client’s motion for summary judgment: Associated Credit Union v. Pinto, Georgia Court of Appeals, No. A09A0126 (April 23, 2009).

Kevin S. Kovalchik named a Rising Star by Atlanta Magazine

Associate Kevin S. Kovalchik was named a Rising Star by Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta Magazine, Super Lawyers 2009).