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October 20, 2026

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.

Congratulations, Chris and Catherine!

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October 5, 2026

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!

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August 21, 2026

MSP attorneys and clients following jury trial

Jury verdict form

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.

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August 12, 2026

We’re pleased to share three recent personal injury settlements by MSP Partner Jule Peek and Associate Kelsey Allred, totaling nearly $200,000 for our clients. In one case, Jule and Kelsey secured the maximum settlement of $100,000 from the at-fault driver’s insurance for a client who was injured in an car collision in Polk County. Jule and Kelsey also settled two additional car wreck cases for the maximum insurance limits available, one for $65,000 and the other for $25,000. MSP paralegals, Jessica Gallmon and Ashley Furr, provided litigation support and helped resolve the clients’ medical liens. Please call us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case if you or a loved one have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence.

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July 24, 2026

Congratulations to our associate, Morgan Mathis, and her family on the recent arrival of their daughter, Avery Rebecca Mathis!

Avery weighed 8 pounds, 19.5 inches at birth. We are happy to report that Mom and baby are both healthy and doing great. Please join all of us at MSPin congratulating Morgan and wishing the Mathis family all the best as they begin this exciting new chapter.

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May 1, 2026

Two recent jury trial successes! MSP is pleased to recognize Partner Lee Niedrach for two favorable results.

Lee defended a local contractor in a contract dispute brought by a dissatisfied homeowner. Pictures of the completed work and other evidence showed the jury that the contractor not only performed as required, but went above and beyond. The jury rejected the claims and awarded Lee’s client all of its attorneys’ fees.

This result follows a separate jury trial several months earlier, in which Lee successfully defended a homeowner against a neighboring landowner’s contamination claim.

MSP congratulates Lee on these results and his continued success in the courtroom.

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April 2, 2026

We’re pleased to share two recent workers’ compensation resolutions by MSP Partner Rob Monroe, totaling $180,000 for injured workers.

In one case, Rob secured a $100,000 settlement for a an employee of a manufacturing company who tore his quad tendon on the job. Before Rob got involved, the insurer had offered approximately $30,000 to resolve the claim.

In another matter, Rob obtained an $80,000 settlement for a utility worker who injured her knee on the job. She first underwent meniscus surgery and later required a total knee replacement.

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February 19, 2026

MSP is pleased to announce the election of Trey Newton as Partner at the firm, effective January 1, 2026.

Trey’s practice is wide-ranging. He enjoys helping families and businesses navigate estate planning, corporate planning, tax planning, special needs planning, and Medicaid planning, and he has experience with both routine and highly complex planning strategies. Trey also represents individuals and corporate entities in probate, corporate, tax, and property litigation.

Originally from Augusta, Trey came to Rome to attend Berry College, where he was a member of the inaugural football team and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Finance. After graduation, Trey earned his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in 2020, graduating Cum Laude. While in law school, he gained valuable experience working with the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office and the school’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, and he finished top of his class in both Torts and Contracts. Trey joined MSP in 2020 following a summer of clerking at the firm.

Trey and his wife, Megan, live in Rome with their three children. He teaches at Berry College, has been appointed as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church, and serves on the board of Haven Health Clinic for Women. He is also currently pursuing his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University.

Please join us in congratulating Trey on this well-deserved recognition.

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February 13, 2026

MSP is proud to celebrate 125 years of service by investing in the next generation of leaders in our community. In partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Rome, we’re now accepting applications for the MSP 125th Anniversary Scholarship Opportunity for 2026. The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors in Floyd and Polk County who are interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession. Apply until March 27, 2026. Details are available at cffgr.org/scholarship.

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December 31, 2025

Yesterday we celebrated the retirement of Wanda Milam at a luncheon hosted by the Coosa Country Club. Wanda dedicated more than 40 years of service to the firm, working alongside generations of attorneys and staff and playing an important role in MSP’s history. It was especially meaningful to gather past and present MSP colleagues to thank Wanda for her years of dedication and to celebrate her next chapter. Congratulations, Wanda!