Jana Lauren Harris

Jana Lauren Harris has expertise in representing celebrities and entertainers in two notable aspects: 1) their needs in entertainment law and projects, and 2) those faced with criminal allegations that may impact their entertainment careers. She also has a general criminal defense practice.

She developed this unusual combination of skills during many years of working with entertainers, rock groups, authors and sports celebrities. As an entertainment lawyer early in her career, Ms. Harris represented clients ranging from Joe South to members of Lynard Skynard, the Byrds, Firefall and provided local Southeastern representation for the Rolling Stones and Foreigner.  She represents her clients in drafting and negotiating agreements, mediating disputes, settling or filing suit concerning business disagreements and protecting intellectual property. She was one of two attorneys responsible for writing the by-laws and lobbying the State Bar of Georgia to form the first independent section on Sports and Entertainment Law. She is currently working as counsel for a newly formed record label and production company as well as handling clients through the firm.

Ms. Harris also represents entertainers with a past history of criminal problems that impact their career or new charges that are lodged. Other entertainment lawyers refer her these types of cases when their clients need criminal representation due to her some twenty years criminal law experience with Edward Garland. She was a member of the Ray Lewis defense team and assisted in the recent case involving the rap star, T.I.

With the Garland, Samuel & Loeb firm, Ms. Harris works on numerous Federal and State criminal cases involving mortgage fraud, sexual assault, and many other white collar offenses as well as State criminal charges.

Additionally, she is a trial consultant who is skilled in jury selection, mock trials, focus groups and voir dire. She uses this unusual combination of skills to select and prepare the most effective courtroom strategy and then deliver a powerful presentation in the courtroom. She conducts these trial preparation tools with the firm as well as for other noted criminal defense lawyers who seek her assistance.

She recently wrote an article concerning jurors' unsanctioned use of the internet and social media and how it can sabotage a trial. In the article, she outlined the problem and provided solutions on how lawyers could protect their clients from abuse of the Internet in the jury room.  Since her publication, most courts have elected a pattern charge or their own charge to curb this use. (Full article available on Publications page.)

Notable cases:
Obtained acquittal of local doctor facing sexual assault charges in federal court on all five counts;                                                                                                                                                                    Representing Star B Entertainment in book and film project; studio disagreement concerning ownership of master recordings; drafting of artists' agreements;
Assisted in the representation of rap star, T.I.;
Represented noted Atlanta rap artist in probation modification;
Dismissal of murder charge against client after battle concerning DNA issues and his mental illness;
Mitigation for a woman in Fayette County, Georgia, charged with attempting to hire a hit man to kill husband due to her mental illness;
Probated Federal drug indictments which included gun and conspiracy charges along with drug trafficking;
Dismissal of pending Indictments in several rape and statutory rape cases;
Dismissal of drug indictment due to severe nature of defendant's cancer pain and self-medication;
Participated in mock trial and legal defense of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis;
Counsel for numerous entertainment acts and projects.

Her practice areas are:
Entertainment Law
Criminal Law - both Federal and State
Plaintiff's Litigation
White Collar Crime
Contested Divorces
Other types of cases selectively
Serves as trial consultant and jury consultant