BBGA senior firm partner Henry Garrard, III has been recognized by Top 100 Registry Business Leaders and Professionals with the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his exemplary accomplishments and contributions in the field of law. Garrard was also named the 2018 Top 100 Registry Attorney of the Year in Georgia.

Each year, The Top 100 Registry recognizes business professionals who have shown not just exemplary performance in their field, but also extraordinary dedication in their careers and in their communities.

Throughout his extensive career, Garrard has handled a diverse assortment of complex injury claims, including those involving medical malpractice, products liability, asbestos litigation, qui tam litigation, tort liability, and class actions. He is well-versed in handling very complicated litigation, including multidistrict litigation.         

Garrard was appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Mentor OBTape MDL. He also served as the appointed Plaintiffs’ Lead and Liaison Counsel. As lead counsel for the Mentor OBTape MDL’s first jury trial, he was instrumental in reaching a confidential resolution framework after a week-long trial. The case involved a consolidated trial involving four plaintiffs which, in turn, resulted in more than 100 cases receiving substantial awards under Garrard’s and the firm’s counsel.          

“Henry has been a pioneer in mass torts, first as national litigation counsel for asbestos manufacturers and later as lead plaintiff counsel in the largest mass tort MDL in history,” firm partner Jim Matthews said. “He started the vaginal mesh litigation that has resulted in worldwide recalls of products that have harmed tens of thousands of women. His work has made a huge, positive difference in women’s lives. Most importantly, he has done it all with the utmost professionalism.”

Garrard was lead counsel for the defense in one of the largest asbestos-related consolidation/ class actions to take place in the Federal Courts in 1998. He has served as Co-Lead counsel for all the Transvaginal Mesh MDLs in the U.S, involving more than 104,000 cases. He serves on the Executive Committee in Los Angeles, California for litigation involving talc exposure leading to ovarian cancer in women; and he is Co-Lead Counsel in defective hernia mesh litigation in both the Federal courts and in Rhode Island against the pharmaceutical industry.

Henry Garrard is involved in community activities as well. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Athens First United Methodist Church. He has been president of the board of the Samaritan Counseling Center. Additionally, he has served on the board of Trustees of Athens Academy and on the board of governors of Athens Country Club. Annually, he and the firm cook and serve BBQ to raise money for cancer issues and donate through that effort to the Loren Smith Cancer center in Athens. He also cooks BBQ for other charitable events.

“I cannot think of a worthier recipient of a lifetime achievement award than Henry Garrard,” said firm partner Michael Morris. “Henry has been a nationally recognized leader in multiple litigation areas throughout his career, spending the last several years focusing on women’s healthcare issues. He represents all our firm’s clients with superb legal skills coupled with the highest integrity and compassion. Within the firm, he leads by example. I offer my best congratulations to Henry on a career of service,” said Morris.

Garrard has been selected a Super Lawyer each year for the last 16 years, was recently recognized with a certificate of achievement by Roundtable Magazine on March 26, and received the singular honor of being named as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is the highest recognition that a trial lawyer can receive from his peers.

“It’s an honor to be chosen for this award and join the long list of respected business leaders who have been recognized for their professional excellence,” Garrard said. “This recognition would not have been possible without the support of my fellow partners. As a firm, we are committed to fighting for justice and fair compensation for our clients and holding the correct people accountable. We have strong ties to the Athens community and continuously strive to be good stewards through partnerships with local businesses and organizations.”