Decker, Richard L.

Ben Garland has practiced law with the firm since graduation from Mercer Law School in 1969. He has a varied business and litigation background, primarily working in the areas of general litigation and railroad defense. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in wrongful death and personal injury actions, products liability, contract, construction, employment, will contests and general business and commercial litigation. He is admitted to practice in all Georgia state and federal courts, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Garland served as President of the Macon Bar Association (1980-1981); member, Board of Governors, State Bar of Georgia (1986-1996); Executive Committee, State Bar of Georgia (1989-1996); Fellow, Georgia Bar Foundation; and is a Master Emeritus in the W. A. Bootle American Inn of Court. He has also served as a panelist for local and statewide ICLE seminars.

In addition to his law practice, Garland has been active in local civic endeavors, having served as Board Member and Attorney for the Macon Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Central Georgia Council-Boy Scouts of America and Macon Chapter of the American Red Cross; Board Member, Macon Kiwanis Club, Macon Downtown Council and Georgia Industrial Children's Home; Board Chairman, Stratford Academy; President, Mercer Law School Alumni Association and has served on the Board of Visitors of Mercer Law School and is a member of Vineville Methodist Church and former member of its Administrative Board.