Atlanta-based law firm Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP has added three attorneys to the firm’s transportation industry group. Matthew P. Stone, Shawn N. Kalfus and Kori E. Flake have joined the firm at the company’s Georgia headquarters.
Stone, who has more than 20 years of experience in the transportation industry, will lead the Georgia team, which will also include other Atlanta attorneys.
“The combined experience of Matt, Shawn and Kori brings the opportunity to strengthen the transportation industry team and grow our casualty litigation business in Georgia and nationally,” said Rob Moseley, practice leader. “We will now have more than 22 transportation attorneys located between Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, making us more accessible to our clients than ever before.”
Stone has extensive experience in the transportation industry focusing on resolving motor vehicle liability claims against companies, drivers and. He also regularly represents automobile dealerships in litigation, consumer and regulatory issues. He has tried cases in all of Georgia’s federal judicial districts and many of Georgia’s 49 judicial circuits, and he has represented clients in more than 75 appeals to the state and federal appellate courts in Georgia.
Stone has been named one of the Top Rated Lawyers in Transportation by Corporate Counsel magazine and The American Lawyer. He is one of two attorneys in the country who is an approved instructor for the North American Transportation Management Institute, which is dedicated exclusively to providing internationally recognized university affiliated professional certification and training seminars for truck, bus and transit fleet professionals.
“I am excited to join Smith Moore Leatherwood and its nationally recognized transportation industry team,” said Stone. “Our goal is to grow the casualty litigation services in Georgia and provide more depth of services to our clients nationally.”
Kalfus focuses his practice on the defense of wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. He has extensive experience defending commercial motor vehicle companies and their drivers, automobile dealerships, health clubs, restaurant franchises, insurance companies and insurance brokers.
Flake also works in the transportation practice group. Prior to joining Smith Moore Leatherwood, she received a B.A. from the University of Georgia, where she received degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, summa cum laude. She earned her J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, cum laude, where she was a member of the moot court and mock trial teams. She was also a student member of the Henry S. Lumpkin American Inn of Court.
Smith Moore Leatherwood’s transportation group represents both large and small trucking companies. In addition, the firm has served for many years as outside General Counsel for several commercial vehicle insurers and is experienced in all aspects of transportation law including issues involving federal and state statutes and regulations promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Dept. of Transportation and state Public Service Commissions.
