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Kenneth Ray Bernard Jr.
also known as Ken Bernard
About Kenneth
Biography
Ken Bernard has professionally handled wrongful death, personal injury, and car accident cases, with million dollar resolutions. With over 32 years of trial experience, he is known throughout West Georgia and the state for his involvement in complex injury litigation, including the massive GM recall case involving faulty ignitions. He also represents local governments and others on special matters, and has served as general counsel to businesses. Ken was involved in the Melton v. GM case, which triggered the GM recall of millions of vehicles over defective ignition switches.
Ken, a University of Georgia graduate, distinguished himself as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate General (JAG). After leaving the Marines in 1992, he co-founded Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., a law firm dedicated to the seriously injured and their families.
He is a former member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, where he served on the Executive and Compensation Committee; Chairman of the Organization and Law Committee (which oversees the legal affairs of the 31 public universities and colleges in Georgia); Chairman of the Finance and Business Operations Committee; Chairman of the Committee on Internal Audit, Risk, and Compliance; and Chairman of the Health Professions and Education Committee. He served 3 terms as Chairman of the University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc.
Ken previously served as a Special Assistant Attorney General; Chairman of the Marine Corps Association of Georgia Lawyers; Vice-Chairman of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), and as a member of the Governor's Development Council (GDC). He is a former member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia and served on the audit committee (past member judicial evaluations committee). He is also a member of the Southern Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association, Douglas County Bar Association, and a former member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys.
He has proudly served in a variety of local civic, charitable and social organizations, where he has received recognition for his efforts on behalf of the community and region.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
33%-40%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Georgia for 36 years
State: Georgia
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Location
Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.
Douglasville Office, 8470 Price Avenue, Douglasville, GA, 30134-4531
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Kenneth Ray Bernard Jr.'s Reviews
Avvo Review Score
67 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Personal Injury (46)
Car Accidents (34)
Lawsuits & Disputes (15)
Insurance (6)
Trucking Accident (4)
Business (2)
Wills & Living Wills (2)
Wrongful Death (2)
Contracts & Agreements (1)
DUI & DWI (1)
Debt Collection (1)
Defective and Dangerous Products (1)
Divorce & Separation (1)
Family (1)
Litigation (1)
Medical Malpractice (1)
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect (1)
Power Of Attorney (1)
Probate (1)
Slip and Fall Accident (1)
Workers Compensation (1)
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by S. Kimbrough | February 08, 2011 | Personal Injury
Expert Legal Advice and Representation
I have successfully relied on Mr. Ken Bernard’s expert legal advice and representation on numerous occasions over the past 15 years and highly recommend his services to anyone. I have recommended his services to numerous family members (Personal Injury, Product Liability), friends (Divorce) and busin...
Posted by T.W. | September 28, 2010 | Probate
Best Law Firm in West Georgia
I highly recommend Ken Bernard. He is a professional committed to getting the best results for his clients. He was very compassionate and caring and had my best interest at heart when I suddenly lost my husband and needed expert legal advice. The quality of work and the care shown to my case not only...
Kenneth Ray Bernard Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Ken Bernard for many years. He is an outstanding trial attorney who focuses his practice on personal injury, car accident, and wrongful death cases. He and his firm are excellent at what they do. I have referred cases to him and he gets great results. I highly endorse Ken Bernard."
"Ken Bernard is a knowledgeable, experienced attorney that consistently obtains strong results. I don't hesitate to refer friends and family to him for all of their civil law needs."
"Kenny is an experienced and well respected lawyer. I highly recommend him."
"Ken knows what he is doing and is the one attorney in Douglas County to whom I would refer a friend or family member who needs a personal injury lawyer to take a case to trial. He likes juries, and they like him."
"Kenneth Bernard is an excellent attorney serving the west Georgia and metro area. He has an excellent reputation with his fellow lawyers and judges. Kenneth also is known for his solid commitment to zealous representation of his clients. His military background prepared him well for the tough cases that he takes on. I fully endorse Kenneth Bernard."
"Ken is a great attorney who does a tremendous amount to help out the people in his community. He is very respected and any organization or individual should be delighted to call Ken Bernard their attorney."
"Ken's abilities and reputation far exceed many trial attorneys in the personal injury arena. His quick and honest judgment make his case review skills unparalleled. The interpersonal relationship developed between himself and his client is rare among attorneys. Ken is not only a colleague, but a mentor of mine"
"Of all the attorneys I've ever worked with, Ken Bernard is the most capable, effective, with the best manner, that I've ever known. He was an outstanding mentor, boss and colleague for me in local government law, and has been a friend and colleague since I was in law school at UGA starting in 1997. I would, and do, recommend Ken to anyone looking for a lawyer in any of his practice areas. The best of the best."
"I have worked with Ken on multiple matters in the past 20 years and know him to be a highly competent, skilled litigator."
"I endorse this lawyer with great enthusiasm. Ken has a keen intellect and a passionate belief in the law. An excellent lawyer and colleague."
"Ken was opposing counsel on a complicated wrongful death matter. He did an outstanding job for his clients. His experience in personal injury and wrongful death claims really made a difference in that case."
Woodrow Vaughan
Public finance and tax exempt finance lawyer | Dec 13
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Ken is an excellent advocate for governmental issuers of tax-exempt bonds in Georgia. He understands the needs of his clients and keys in on the important issues involving governmental finance."
John Barrett
Family lawyer
Michael Hubbard
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R. Cade Parian
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Allen Trapp
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Jason Swindle
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William Cable
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Experience
Honors
2019
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
1999
Circle K International, Emory Award
1999
Georgia Distinguished Leadership Recipient, Kiwanis
1999
Georgia F. Hixson Fellowship Award, Georgia F. Hixson Fellowship
1997
Outstanding Kiwanian, Kiwanian
1996
Outstanding Kiwanian, Kiwanian
1992
Navy Achievement Medal, USMC
1992
Meritorious Unit Commendation, USMC
1990
National Defense Service Medal, USMC
Work Experience
1992 - Present
Managing Partner, Sherrod & Bernard
1987 - 1996
JAG, United States Marine Corps
Associations
2012 - Present
Southern Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2012 - Present
State Bar of GeorgiaBoard of Governors
2010 - Present
Georgia Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2008 - Present
West Georgia Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2005 - Present
Metro Atlanta County Attorneys AssociationMember
2005 - Present
Douglas County, Ga.County Attorney
1993 - Present
Marine Corps Association of Georgia LawyersMember
1992 - Present
Douglas County Chamber of CommerceMember
1990 - Present
U.S. Court of Military Appeals
1989 - Present
State Bar of GeorgiaMember
1989 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1989 - Present
United States District Court Northern District of Georgia
1989 - Present
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
1989 - Present
Superior and State Courts of Georgia
1989 - Present
The Georgia Court of Appeals
1989 - Present
Supreme Court of Georgia
1989 - Present
Douglas County Bar AssociationMember
2013 - 2014
Executive and Compensation Committee of the University System of Georgia Board of RegentsMember
2011 - 2012
Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee of University System of Georgia Board of RegentsChairman
2010 - 2011
Health Professions and Education Committee of the University System of Georgia Board of RegentsChairman
2010 - 2013
University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc.Chairman, Board of Trustees
2008 - 2014
National Association of College and University AttorneysMember
2008 - 2010
Organization and Law Committee of the University System of Georgia Board of RegentsChairman
2007 - 2014
Board of Regents, University System of GeorgiaRegent
2003 - 2007
Georgia Regional Transportation AuthorityBoard Member, Vice Chairman
2003 - 2007
Governor's Development CouncilMember
1998 - 2009
Douglas County Board of EducationGeneral Counsel
1998 - 1999
Chapel Hills Golden K of KiwanisFounder and Charter Member
1998 - 1999
Georgia District of Kiwanis InternationalPast Distinguished Lieutenant Governor, Division 20
1998 - 2009
Georgia Council of School AttorneysMember
1998 - 2009
National Association of School AttorneysMember
1996 - 1997
Douglas County Kiwanis ClubPast Distinguished President
1995 - 2003
Seventh Congressional District Military Academy Review BoardMember
1994 - 1995
Eagle Club of Douglas CountyCharter Member
1994 - 1995
Marine Corps Association of Georgia LawyersPast Chairman
Sample of Legal Cases
Assisted Living Burn
Confidential
Rear-end Accident
$175,000.00
Fractured Tooth
Confidential
Serious Car Accident
Confidential
Wrongful Death
Confidential
Carroll County DUI Accident
Confidential
DUI Auto Accident
Confidential
Rear-ended by a DUI driver
Confidential
Mother and Son Injured in Car Collision
Confidential
Serious Injury Car Accident
Confidential
DUI Car Wreck
Confidential
Tractor Trailer Wreck
Confidential
Misfilled Prescription Injury
Confidential
Wrongful Death Car Accident
$1,000,000.00
Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accident
Confidential
Car Accident with DUI Hit and Run Driver
Confidential
Truck Accident
$850,000.00
Education
1993
Leadership Douglas
1990
U.S. Naval Justice School
1989
University of Georgia School of Law
Juris Doctor
1989
U.S. Marine Corps, The Basic School (TBS)
1987
U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School
1986
University of Georgia
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
Winter Commencement
Commencement Speaker
2012
Georgia Highlands College
Commencement Speaker
2012
Fall Commencement
Commencement Speaker
2010
University of West Georgia
Commencement Speaker
2010
The State of Education in Georgia Conference
Perspective on Higher Education
Publications
2014
Sherrod & Bernard (April)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2013
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (June)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2013
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (March)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2013
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (September)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2013
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (December)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2012
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (May)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2012
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (December)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2012
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (August)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2011
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (February)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2011
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (June)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2011
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (September)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2011
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (December)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2010
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (Spring)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2010
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (Summer)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
2010
Sherrod & Bernard Quarterly (Christmas)
Sherrod & Bernard Newsletter
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides