R. Walker Garrett

R. Walker Garrett graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, in May 2007, Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in Political Science and minors in Business Administration and History. While at Huntingdon, he played varsity tennis, starting at both top singles and top doubles positions. Mr. Garrett graduated from Mercer Law School in May 2010 with a Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research and Drafting. While at Mercer he was awarded the CALI Award for the highest grade in Advanced Legal Research, and he served as research assistant for Tax Professor, Monica Armstrong.

Upon graduating law school, Mr. Garrett joined a boutique litigation firm, Harp & Callier, specializing in catastrophic injury litigation and Federal Employer Liability Act litigation, representing injured railroad union workers.  Mr. Garrett is licensed in the State and Superior Courts of Georgia, the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, Alabama State courts, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. 

In 2012, Mr. Garrett joined the Finley Firm where he continues his personal injury litigation practice, along with handling major mass tort and class action projects.  Mr. Garrett is the lead attorney for the Finley Firm’s representation of hundreds of business and individual clients for the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, recovering millions for business owners throughout the Gulf states.  Mr. Garrett is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the membership committee and has chaired educational seminars for other members of the bar.  Also, Mr. Garrett is on the board of the General Practice and Trial Section of the Georgia bar and has served as co-editor of that section’s quarterly publication, The Calendar Call, since 2012.  He also serves as the city captain for the “Ask-a-Lawyer” pro bono service day in Columbus on an annual basis. 

In the community, Mr. Garrett is now serving his second term as board chairman for The Literacy Alliance, a local charity committed to ending illiteracy in the Chattahoochee Valley.  As part of the organization, Mr. Garrett reads to pre-k students on an individual basis every week in Title I school in Columbus, and takes the adult literacy students to the Georgia Capitol to meet their state legislators for Literacy Day.  Mr. Garrett is also a member of the Rotary Club of Columbus and serves on its board of directors.  Mr. Garrett serves on the boards of the Columbus Iron Works, the Columbus Young Art Patrons, the Greater Columbus Young Professionals, the Hamilton Cemetery Association and he served on the board of the Convention Trade Center Authority.  Additionally, Mr. Garrett is a member of the Columbus Inn of Court and Lawyers Club of Atlanta.  Mr. Garrett also serves his church, First Baptist Church of Columbus, as an usher every Sunday, a Deacon, and member of the Advisory Committee.  Mr. Garrett was awarded the “Five under Forty Award” by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Columbus and the Valley Magazine at the age of twenty nine, in 2013.

In 2016, Mr. Garrett ran for Columbus City Council in the primary election.  Mr. Garrett won both races in District 8, a special election to fill the unexpired term of Councilor C. E. McDaniel and the other to fill the four-year term.  Mr. Garrett is the youngest councilman and is expected to bring diversity to the community.  Mr. Garrett will continue to serve the City of Columbus and bring a new vitality to the city neighborhoods.