McRae, Smith, Peek is proud to share that partner Chris Jackson, and his wife, Catherine, have been selected to participate in the 2027 Class of Leadership Georgia.
Leadership Georgia is a network of the state’s emerging young leaders and one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious nonprofit leadership training programs, designed to identify, train, and inspire emerging business, civic, and community leaders from the State of Georgia. Chris is one of 63 leaders chosen from across the state who will spend the year learning from each other and exploring the issues and opportunities shaping Georgia’s future.
In his practice at MSP, Chris represents clients in a wide variety of criminal and civil matters, including complex litigation. Additionally, Chris provides legal counsel to several local governments, including Floyd and Gordon Counties, and is Chief Municipal Judge for the City of Rome.
We’re pleased to announce that our newest associate, Bennett Vest, was sworn in to practice law in Georgia on September 30 by Judge Murphy in Polk County Superior Court in Cedartown. MSP partner Mike McRae introduced Bennett to the Court and spoke on his behalf during the ceremony. Having recently passed the Georgia Bar Examination, Bennett is now authorized to practice law in Georgia’s trial courts.
Bennett is a 2019 honor graduate of Rockmart High School and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia, where he studied journalism and political science. He earned his law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law this spring, where he was a member of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy. While at UGA, Bennett also served as a student equipment manager for the Bulldogs’ 2021 and 2022 national championship teams.
Please join us in congratulating Bennett and welcoming him to MSP!
MSP partners Trey Newton and Lee Niedrach recently obtained a favorable jury verdict for family members defending against an adverse possession claim involving a large tract of family property.
Trey, as lead counsel, and Lee were able to show that the claimant’s longstanding use of the property had been allowed by the other family members rather than adverse to their ownership.
After deliberations spanning two days, the jury returned a verdict in favor of our clients.
Congratulations to Trey and Lee on a great result.
October 20, 2026
Leadership Georgia is a network of the state’s emerging young leaders and one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious nonprofit leadership training programs, designed to identify, train, and inspire emerging business, civic, and community leaders from the State of Georgia. Chris is one of 63 leaders chosen from across the state who will spend the year learning from each other and exploring the issues and opportunities shaping Georgia’s future.
In his practice at MSP, Chris represents clients in a wide variety of criminal and civil matters, including complex litigation. Additionally, Chris provides legal counsel to several local governments, including Floyd and Gordon Counties, and is Chief Municipal Judge for the City of Rome.
Congratulations, Chris and Catherine!
October 5, 2026
Bennett is a 2019 honor graduate of Rockmart High School and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia, where he studied journalism and political science. He earned his law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law this spring, where he was a member of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy. While at UGA, Bennett also served as a student equipment manager for the Bulldogs’ 2021 and 2022 national championship teams.
Please join us in congratulating Bennett and welcoming him to MSP!
August 21, 2026
MSP partners Trey Newton and Lee Niedrach recently obtained a favorable jury verdict for family members defending against an adverse possession claim involving a large tract of family property.
Trey, as lead counsel, and Lee were able to show that the claimant’s longstanding use of the property had been allowed by the other family members rather than adverse to their ownership.
After deliberations spanning two days, the jury returned a verdict in favor of our clients.
Congratulations to Trey and Lee on a great result.