Richard Vinson Merritt

Richard Vinson Merritt

3.0
Rating: 1.0

Licensed for 25 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Smyrna, GA
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Litigation

1265 West Spring Street, Suite A, Smyrna, GA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2018
See Details

About Richard

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

DUI, traffic charges and serious charges.

26 years

40%
Personal Injury 40%

Personal injury, wrongful death, slip/fall, medical malpractice, elder abuse, vehicle collisions and other professional negligence.

26 years

40%
Litigation 20%

Business/commercial litigation.

26 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

25%-35%

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 25 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 2000

Disbarment

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2018

Location

Merritt & Fletcher, LLC

1265 West Spring Street, Suite A, Smyrna, GA, 30080-3640

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Richard Vinson Merritt's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.0 /5.0

6 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (6) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Fatimah | August 02, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury

Incompetent Attorney

Richard V. Merritt failed to serve the defendant in my personal injury case, he lied to me via text message and told me he was waiting to depose the defendant. Needless to say my personal injury case was dismissed, Merritt never informed me and refused to provide me with my legal files and pleadings... when requested by another attorney. MERRITT IS NOT A GOOD COMPETENT ATTORNEY

Posted by Bryan | November 05, 2010 | Medical Malpractice

Caring, knowledgeable, and thorough

I have personally have benefited from his professional assistance on two occasions. Richard is very knowledgeable in the area of elder care and medical malpractice. His guidance and professional knowledge led to an equitable settlement agreement whereby significant organizational changes occurred... with the care provider, including a change of facility administrators, and two changes of the floor managing nurse. The settlement, financially, was more than adequate. the settlement was reached in such a way as to not disrupt the on-going care our relative was receiving at the facility. He is also very helpful in regards to litigation involving a State of Georgia entity. He provided valued assistance during communications between a committee I served on and their interactions with the State of Georgia.

See All Client Reviews

Richard Vinson Merritt's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Richard
Jeffrey Alan Daxe headshot
Jeffrey Daxe

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have had two very tough personal injury cases which I turned away due to their complexity--but due to my referrals of each to Rich, the matters were resolved very successfully."

David Brian Weinberg headshot
David Weinberg

Litigation lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I worked with Rich for 4 years on various litigation matters. He is a sharp and dedicated attorney that zealously represents his clients interests."

John Ryan Worman headshot
John Worman

Unknown lawyer | Jun 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

William Travis Towe headshot
William Towe

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Richard is an excellent attorney with a well-respected reputation in both, criminal defense and civil litigation. Therefore, I strongly endorse Mr. Merritt."

Thomas Edward Cardone headshot
Thomas Cardone

Unknown lawyer | Nov 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rich is a proven criminal and civil trial attorney. He is an efficient, effective, and skilled advocate. I highly recommend him."

Eric Brent Coleman headshot
Eric Coleman

Litigation lawyer | Sep 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Rich is an experienced and talented attorney. When we worked together, I looked to Rich often for guidance and mentoring almost daily. I still do the same today. Rich genuinely cares about his clients, and takes on each case with enthusiasm and skill."

James Robert Fletcher II headshot
James Fletcher

Litigation lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Rich is a dedicated and brilliant advisor and advocate. In fact, when I have a question as an attorney myself, he is one of the first people I call to get his take. I offer my wholehearted endorsement."

Matthew Thomas McNally headshot
Matthew McNally

General practice lawyer | Feb 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Rich for years and he is the lawyer that I would go to for help with matters outside my specialty. He is knowledgeable and works hard for the people that he represents. I would not hesitate to recommend him and often direct people in need to contact Rich for help."

Robert Thomas Trammell Jr. headshot
Robert Trammell

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 14

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer. Rich Merritt has tremendous courtroom experience and skill and has a wonderful personal touch when it comes to the attorney-client relationship. I highly endorse and recommend Mr. Merritt."

T. Stephen McConnell headshot
T. McConnell

Litigation lawyer | Feb 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An exceptionally talented attorney and a fine gentleman with whom I have worked in the past. Rich applies a wide range of experience, intelligence, and litigation skills to excel in the representation of his clients. He has my full endorsement."

Bruce Berger headshot
Bruce Berger

Personal injury lawyer | Feb 14

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Excellent, experienced, thorough trial lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Thomas Edward Cardone headshot
Thomas Cardone

Real estate lawyer

T. Stephen McConnell headshot
T. McConnell

Litigation lawyer

Matthew Thomas McNally headshot
Matthew McNally

Criminal defense lawyer

Robert Thomas Trammell Jr. headshot
Robert Trammell

Litigation lawyer

Andrew C Evans headshot
Andrew Evans

Commercial real estate lawyer

Bruce Berger headshot
Bruce Berger

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  1.0 (Extreme Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2018.

Disbarment issued in GA, 2018

updated on 02/02/2018

This is the most serious penalty for a lawyer. If this attorney is currently practicing law, you should contact the Georgia State Bar to understand the reasons for this disbarment.

Honors

2014

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2013

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2007

Bleckley Inn of Court, Barrister-Bleckley Inn of Court

2006

Barrister-Lamar Inn of Court, Lamar Inn of Court

2005

Barrister-Bleckley Inn of Court, Bleckley Inn of Court

2004

Graduate-Litigation Course, National Association of Attorneys' General

2002

Graduate-DUI/Vehicular Homicide Course, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia

2001

Graduate-Basic Litigation Course, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia

N/A

Who's Who in American Law,

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Partner, Merritt & Fletcher, LLC

2010 - Present

Founding Partner/Managing Member, The Law Office of Richard V. Merritt, LLC

2012 - 2013

Prosecuting Attorney, City of Smyrna

2007 - 2010

Senior Litigator, Weinstock & Scavo, P.C.

2006 - 2007

Associate, Stokes Lazarus & Carmichael, LLP

2003 - 2006

Assistant Attorney General, Office Of The Attorney General State Of Georgia

2001 - 2003

Prosecuting Attorney, Office Of The Solicitor General Fulton County

Associations

State Bar of Georgia

Member

Atlanta Bar Association

Member

Cobb County Bar Association

Member

American Bar Association

Member

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Weinberg v. White

Pending

Department of Human Resources v. Crews, 278 Ga.App. 56, 628 S.E.2d 191 (2006)

Appellate victory.

Georgia Dept. of Transp. v. Strickland, 279 Ga.App. 753, 632 S.E.2d 416 (2006)

Appellate victory.

Camp v. Coweta County, 280 Ga. 199, 625 S.E.2d 759 (2006)

Supreme Court decision.

Backensto v. Georgia Dept. of Transp., 291 Ga.App. 293, 661 S.E.2d 647 (2008)

Appellate victory.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1999

Mississippi College School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

University of Georgia, Athens

BA - Bachelor of Arts

1996

University of Georgia, Athens

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

John Marshall Spring Semester Seminar

Discovery Overview

2012

Winter Conference

Tort Reform

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2018
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution