Bruce Harkness Sr.

Bruce Harkness Sr.

also known as Jerry Bruce Harkness Sr.

5.0
Rating: 9.6

Licensed for 28 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Demorest, GA
Practice Areas: Personal Injury

700 Central Avenue, PO Box 700, Demorest, GA

About Bruce

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Personal Injury 100%

I have over 30 total years experience in personal injury claims. I ONLY handle car wrecks, motorcycle wrecks and truck wrecks. By only handling wrecks, I can concentrate on all my clients and their cases without having to worry about distractions like divorces and pushing paperwork. I never "rush" my clients to a quick settlement. I want my clients to be properly diagnosed for every possible injury and then properly treated before settlement. Experience matters!! I will be honored to serve you.

29 years | 5,000 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 28 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1997

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

The Harkness Firm

700 Central Avenue, PO Box 700, Demorest, GA, 30535

Bruce Harkness Attorney at Law

12 W. Currahee Street, Toccoa, GA, 30535

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Bruce Harkness Sr.'s Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

100 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 16 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Thania | January 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents

EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE

Bruce and Rebecca did an amazing job with my case. I did NOT have to move a single finger as they took care of all the bills and paperwork of my car accident. Rebecca always called in to check on me and let me know of anything. Everything was done to ensure that at the end of the case I was guarante...ed my part from my car accident. I highly recommend that anyone contacts Mr. Bruce to take their case!

Posted by Kenneth | May 20, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents

Great service Great care

Back in September 2023 I was involved in a rollover accident out of state and within that week my wife and I were involved in a head on collision locally. Due to our injuries and loss of our vehicle and what seemed like an eternity of legal questions I gave Harkness Law Firm a call to assist us wi...th everything, Bruce and his assistant came out to our house to discuss the case and the mounting pile of legal questions that we had. After meeting with us Bruce and his staff took our case and went to work immediately. Through the whole process they advised us on medical treatment and legal formalities in the best interest of my wife and myself. The whole process was made so pleasant by one member of Bruce’s staff (Rebecca) she was always just a phone call away and would answer any question or take care of any problem that presented itself (Thank You Rebecca). Within a short period of time Harkness Law Firm was able to navigate our medical needs, medical billing as well as our peace of mind and was able to make a satisfactory settlement taking care of all our medical needs and treatment.

Posted by Debbie | September 15, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Debbie Wade law suit

They was very good at keeping me updated with the information. They were very nice and settled my case the way I wanted

Posted by JOEL | October 22, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury

Great Lawyer, even better Friend

We have hired Bruce for a few matters, most recently a Personal Injury matter. Our case was processed efficiently and professionally in record time! Bruce and his staff were always courteous and kept up to date with the status of our case without our having to call. Bruce got us the best settlement w...e could have asked for and more than we expected. Needless to say, but I will - Bruce is a awesome Attorney and a fine man and friend to the good folks in North Georgia. Last time I talked to him he told me "I cannot wait to get out of bed every morning to help people", he's a man of his word - I can vouch for that!

Posted by Michael C. | November 24, 2020

Bruce is the best

Hands down one of the best Lawyers in America, very attentive and knowledgeable about the Law. Thanks Bruce

See All Client Reviews

Bruce Harkness Sr.'s Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Bruce
Don Hilliard Ferguson headshot
Don Ferguson

Litigation lawyer | Nov 28

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Mr. Harkness is an excellent attorney whom works diligently for his clients."

Deborah Rea Whitlock headshot
Deborah Whitlock

Personal injury lawyer | Jan 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. When I was first admitted to practice law, Mr. Harkness helped me with my 1st personal injury case. He handled the case with competence, integrity and compassion."

Adam Joseph Harkness headshot
Adam Harkness

Personal injury lawyer | Dec 14

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Customer service and great settlements are 2 things that make Mr. Harkness stand out among his peers. He takes great pride in dealing with clients personally to make sure they get what they deserve."

Casey Pless Waterhouse headshot
Casey Waterhouse

Personal injury lawyer | Nov 03

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. I worked for Bruce for almost 2 years during college and during that time, I learned invaluable lessons that I use today in my own practice. He is truly one of the best mentors I have had. In addition to providing exceptional legal services to his clients, he is extremely caring, intelligent and analytical. If I found myself in need of representation for a personal injury I would absolutely choose Bruce and if I moved back to Northeast Georgia I would love to work with him again."

Lorne Howard Cragg headshot
Lorne Cragg

Personal injury lawyer | Nov 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Very successful practice with a history of great results for his clients."

Daniel Bullard IV headshot
Daniel Bullard

Personal injury lawyer | Oct 05

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Bruce for at least 7 years and know Bruce to be thorough competent and capable. He has worked with me on a recent matter and resolved it quickly and efficiently. We had great results and would definitely associate Bruce in the future."

Dale Susan Austin headshot
Dale Austin

Child custody lawyer | Sep 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Bruce Harkness handled this case with integrity and passion. He is attentive to his client's needs and advocates for their rights with professional courtesy and civility. He has also demonstrated effective leadership in the bar association in our community."

Alton B Johnson headshot
Alton Johnson

Personal injury lawyer | Dec 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Jerry Harkness is an outstanding lawyer who I would not hesitate to refer clients to who have needs outside of my practice area. Good lawyer who puts his clients first."

Jerry F. Lee headshot
Jerry Lee

Litigation lawyer | Oct 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer! Bruce is not only an excellent lawyer but one Hell of a nice fellow. My father used to say, you judge a man by the content of his character and not his pocketbook, Bruce is proof this is not only correct but he meets this test in spade, as he does quite a bit of PRO BONO [free] work for the truly needy. I once had a mentor, who ended up on the GA. Supreme Court, the late Judge Harold Banke, who used to say... if you don't hire me, hire so and so...well you know what I'm. about to say. "if you don't hire me [last daughter is in an IVY LEAGUE COLLEGE] HIRE BRUCE! " Aw heck...split the difference, he's a heck of a lawyer and MY FRIEND."

View All Endorsements
Lorne Howard Cragg headshot
Lorne Cragg

Probate lawyer

Casey Pless Waterhouse headshot
Casey Waterhouse

Family lawyer

Adam Joseph Harkness headshot
Adam Harkness

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel Bullard IV headshot
Daniel Bullard

Insurance lawyer

Dale Susan Austin headshot
Dale Austin

Child abuse lawyer

Zachary Earl Tumlin headshot
Zachary Tumlin

Criminal defense lawyer

David Theodore Bianco headshot
David Bianco

Elder law lawyer

Don Hilliard Ferguson headshot
Don Ferguson

Family lawyer

Lee M. Weinstein headshot
Lee Weinstein

Personal injury lawyer

Alton B Johnson headshot
Alton Johnson

Juvenile law lawyer

Kelly Lynn Turner headshot
Kelly Turner

Divorce and separation lawyer

Nina Maria Svoren headshot
Nina Svoren

Family lawyer

Timothy Paul Healy headshot
Timothy Healy

Criminal defense lawyer

Sean Aaron Black headshot
Sean Black

Criminal defense lawyer

Jerry F. Lee headshot
Jerry Lee

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.6 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

2010 Reader's Choice Best Attorney Award, Northeast Georgian Newspaper

1985

Magna Cum Laude Honor Graduate, Piedmont College

1983

Summa Cum Laude top Honor Graduate, Truett McConnell College

1983

Truman Scholar, Harry S, Truman Scholarship Foundation

Work Experience

1997 - Present

Attorney, Harkness Law Firm

Associations

2008 - 2010

Mountain Judicial Bar Association

President

2003 - 2008

Mountain Judicial Bar Association

Vice-President

2000 - 2003

Mountain Judicial Bar Association

Secretary/Treasurer

1984 - 1985

Student Government Piedmont College

Student Government President

1981 - 1983

Phi Beta Kappa

Secretary/Treasurer

Sample of Legal Cases

Luke vs. GA Irrigation and Sprinkler

Settled out of court $2 million

Several Million Dollar cases

Settled out of court (confidential nondisclosures)

See More Legal Cases

Education

1997

John Marshall (Atlanta)

JD - Juris Doctor

1994

Fraternal Insurance Council

Fraternal Insurance Council Fellow

1992

Life Underwriting Training Council

Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow

1987

University of Georgia, North Georgia College and State University

MA - Masters

1985

Piedmont College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

1983

Truett-McConnell College

AA

Speaking Engagements

2012

Life Underwriters Training

LIfe Insurance and Investments

2010

Insurance Developments

Property and Casualty Insurance

2001

Annual Conference Louisville, Ky

Life Insurance Sales

2000

Georgia Farm Bureau Managers Conference

Insurance Law

Publications

2002

Northeast Georgia Traveller Georgia Auto Insurance

2001

Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE Georgia) Georgia Uninsured Motorist Coverages

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 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