First and foremost, Jody Peterman is a trial lawyer who loves the courtroom and helping people. He handles every type of personal injury case imaginable where a person has been seriously injured — from catastrophic motor vehicle collisions and tractor-trailer crashes to motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death claims. As the founding attorney of Jody D. Peterman, LLC, he brings over 31 years of trial experience in Georgia and has obtained multiple seven-figure settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Unlike lawyers who handle a handful of personal injury cases a year or work for a television advertising mill, Jody is a career trial lawyer who has tried more than 200 jury trials, making him one of the most experienced trial attorneys in South Georgia. He takes on only serious, high-stakes cases, with a singular focus on securing the best possible outcome for each client.
Part of Jody’s trial practice is a criminal defense practice built around the cases that matter most: self-defense murder cases, where a client’s justified use of force is mischaracterized as a crime, and sex crime allegations where the accused has been wrongly accused by a spouse or family member — often as a tactic in a divorce or custody battle. Jody understands how these accusations are weaponized in family conflict, and he builds an aggressive defense strategy designed to expose the motive behind a false allegation and protect his client’s freedom, reputation, and rights.
In 1995, Jody graduated from Mercer University Law School, where he earned the highest grade in his Torts II class (the American Jurisprudence Award for personal injury law) and the Milton Barwick Pleading and Practice Award for best trial lawyer in trial practice class under Legendary Bibb County Judge J. Taylor Phillips.
Jody is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Court of Appeals for the State of Georgia, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, and Middle Districts of Georgia.
Jody is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Valdosta Bar Association, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, named a Top 100 Georgia Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association, selected to the 2027 Super Lawyers® list, and holds a 10/10 Avvo rating.
Jody has lived in South Georgia his entire life. He has four children, and his wife Mary teaches special education in the Lowndes County School System. In his free time, Jody enjoys attending family sporting events, cooking, reading, and watching the Atlanta Braves and the New England Patriots. He especially enjoys spending time with his one year old grandson.
At a Glance
31 years of trial experience
200 plus jury trials
Multiple seven-figure settlements
AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Top 100 Georgia Trial Lawyer, National Trial Lawyers Association
6
Practice Areas
$ 150-275 per hour
25%-33%
Sometimes
State: Georgia
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Mobile
304 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, GA, 31601
valdostainjurylawyer.com/attorney/delk-stephen/AI-summarized from Avvo client reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 18 reviews
Posted by anonymous | October 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Great guy
Jody is great and helped me with a case involving a car wreck. Jody was very patient with me and helpful during the case
Posted by Jim | September 30, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Get Real Results
This guy really made you feel like family. He was on my side , he really helped me get through times, from planning to preparing me for trail. He is the best !
Posted by Annie | September 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Trustworthy attorney
I highly recommend this attorney. He was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely cared about helping us through a difficult situation. He explained everything clearly, kept us informed throughout the process, and made us feel confident that we were in good hands. We are extremely grate...
Posted by Rodney Brown | September 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Respectful and A Great Friend!
I have tremendous respect for Jody Peterman, both professionally and personally. He is thoughtful, articulate, and very patient when discussing difficult situations. Jody has a way of making complicated matters easier to understand without making you feel rushed. A true professional.
Posted by Trellis | September 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Guidance
I am thankful for the guidance I received from Jody Peterman. He took the time to explain things and helped me better understand my situation and options. His professionalism and willingness to listen stood out to me. I would recommend him to anyone seeking legal assistance.
"I endorse this lawyer. Jody is well know in the Valdosta area as being at the top of his field. I have had many of my Valdosta Bankruptcy clients use Jody for Personal Injury claims and they always give him rave reviews."
"Jody is a skilled litigator. He takes care of his client. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I worked for Jody Peterman as an extern and as a law clerk before I became an attorney. I always found Jody to be an extremely dedicated attorney who goes above and beyond to help his clients. I would recommend Jody Peterman to anyone who needs legal assistance."
"I endorse this lawyer. Creative, fearless, charismatic."
"I have known Jody since we started law school together many years ago. He is excellent litigator and trial lawyer. I have referred him business. He successfully obtained an acquittal for his client over 8 years ago which involved a traffic stop. Jody truly cares about his clients."
"Jody Peterman is the real deal. He eats, breathes and sleeps law. He is extremely tenacious and hard working. I highly recommend Jody Peterman."
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2027
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Top100, American Society of Legal Advocates
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association
2014
Top Lawyer, Atlanta Magazine
2013
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2013
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates
2002
Pro Bono Award, State Bar of Georgia
1995
The Milton Barwick Pleading and Practice Award, Mercer University -Walter F. George School of Law
1993
American Jurisprudence Award, Thomas M. Cooley Law School
N/A
10/10 Avvo Rating, Avvo
2014 - Present
Owner, Jody D. Peterman
2014 - Present
South Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
2011 - Present
Georgia Trial Lawyers AssociationChampion Member
2006 - Present
Valdosta Association of Criminal Defense LawyersTreasurer
1996 - Present
State Bar of Georgia, Criminal Law Section
1995 - 2013
State Bar of Georgia, General Practice and Trial Law Section
After the Court of Appeals reversed the trial court, the case was settled in mediation.
1995
JD - Juris Doctor
1990
B.S.C.J.
2009
Family Law
English
Legal Answers
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07 May 2014
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19 Mar 2014
In GA what is the interest rate a judgment accrues per year?
24 Nov 2013
