John Aspinwall Garland Atlanta, Georgia
| Associate | |
| phone | (404) 262-2225 |
| fax | (404) 365-5041 |
| Email Me | |
When John Garland graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. degree, magna cum laude, he could have chosen any number of professions to pursue. But his instincts, his innate talents and his family legacy all directed his focus on the law. John's family history is replete with attorneys, including his father, Ed Garland, his grandfather, Reuben A. Garland, his great-grandfathers and numerous uncles. From this heritage came three cherished tenets: Be loyal to the client, be fierce in pursuit of the rights of the client, and shoulder the great responsibility for an individual's freedom.
A native of Atlanta, John selected the law school of the University of Georgia where he graduated cum laude in 2004, and then he joined his father, Ed Garland, at Garland, Samuel & Loeb. He focuses on advocacy at the trial level, including criminal defense, personal injury, and product liability.
John has successfully handled many complex cases. Some notable cases include:
In 2005-06 John represented the former Financial Aid Director of Morris Brown University, Parvesh Singh, in Federal Court in the Northern District of Georgia against the accusation that Mr. Singh committed financial aid fraud that lead to the collapse of Morris Brown University. Though he was potentially facing years in prison, John and Ed Garland negotiated a plea that resulted in 18 months home confinement.
In 2006-08 John represented former City of Atlanta Police Officer Jason R. Smith in both Federal and State court on multiple charges including violation of oath of office and felony murder stemming from the shooting death of Kathryn Johnston by City of Atlanta Police in her home in Atlanta in 2006. Facing overwhelming evidence of guilt and possible life imprisonment, John and Ed Garland negotiated a plea that resulted in 10 years of incarceration.
In 2008 John represented Televangelist preacher Bishop Thomas Wesley Weeks III on charges of aggravated assault based on the allegation that he attacked his wife and fellow preacher Juanita Bynum. Facing a potential 20 years in prison John and Ed Garland were able to resolve the case without a conviction by negotiating a first offender plea to assault with one year on probation and community service.
He currently represents Atlanta based Hip-Hop DJ, DJ Drama on RICO charges arising out of allegations that he produced mix-tapes without the proper authorization from the artists and labels.
He currently represents former Marietta Police Officer Isaac Saleumsy on charges of conspiracy to possess ecstasy with the intent to distribute, stemming from the allegation that he was part of an international ecstasy trafficking ring.
- Year Joined Organization:
- 2004
- Areas of Practice:
- 85% Criminal Trial Practice State & Federal
- 5% Personal Injury
- 5% Professional Malpractice
- 5% Product Liability
- Bar Admissions:
- Georgia, 2004
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 2004
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia, 2006
- Education:
- University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia,
May, 2004
J.D.
Honors: Cum Laude - University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA,
May, 2000
B.A.
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Professional Associations and Memberships:
- State Bar of Georgia, 2004 - Present
- American Bar Association, 2004 - Present
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2004 - Present
- Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2004 - Present
- American Association for Justice, 2004 - Present
- Georgia Association of Trial Lawyers, 2004 - Present
- Atlanta Bar Association, 2004 - Present
