Fortson, Bentley & Griffin, P.A. is adding seasoned local attorney Bill Berryman to its law practice. Berryman, who recently retired as Athens-Clarke County Attorney, will build upon the firm’s expertise in representing local governments and will oversee a variety of civil litigation matters.
 
“Bill has deep experience in government and the private sector, and through the years has earned the trust and respect of our attorneys and more importantly the greater community,” said shareholder David K. Linder. “We are honored and thrilled he has chosen to join our firm.”
 
Berryman is a native of Athens and a graduate of the University of Georgia and the University of Georgia School of Law. He began his career as an assistant district attorney in the Oconee Judicial Circuit before working in private practice in Athens and Toccoa where he specialized in commercial and residential real estate, financial institutions, trust and estates and local government law. In 2003, he was named Attorney for Athens-Clarke County and served in that role until retiring this past June.
 
“As an Athenian, I have been honored to serve this community in a variety of roles,” said Berryman. “I look forward to writing the final chapter of my career alongside the respected team at Fortson, Bentley & Griffin.”
 
Throughout his career, Berryman has taken a service-minded approach to bettering his community and furthering his profession. He has shared his legal acumen with fellow attorneys by leading educational programs at seminars sponsored by the Georgia Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Georgia Institute of Continuing Judicial Education. He has also served on the boards of the Oconee River Land Trust, the Athens-Clarke County Library and the Athens Regional Library System.
 
Berryman and his wife of 40 years, Anne, have two children Sarah Swiatowicz and Charles Berryman and have called the Athens area home for more than 40 years. They enjoy spending their free time cycling, paddling and gardening.