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Attorney Profiles
H.T. O'Neal
O'Neal, Brown & Gautreaux, P.C. is a plaintiff oriented law firm with its genesis in earlier law firms in which 3rd Street Park H.T. O'Neal, Jr. (1926-1983) was a principal participant.
Mr. O'Neal was a widely respected trial lawyer and former prosecutor who was lead counsel in many of Middle Georgia's most celebrated trials. As an example, Mr. O'Neal was special prosecutor (having been appointed by the Governor) in the Anjette Lyles murder case in which the defendant was accused of gradually poisoning her family with arsenic. The Lyles case is the subject of the recent (1999) Mercer Press Publication Whisper To The Black Candle.
H.T. "Hank" O'Neal was not only a great criminal lawyer (successfully using the Anatomy of a Murder defense in two celebrated acquittals he spearheaded) he was an innovative civil litigator, particularly in the area of wrongful death and personal injury trials.
Mr. O'Neal was among the first plaintiff's attorneys in Middle Georgia to lead his firm in the use of courtroom mock up exhibits (model of a bridge, automobile parts, propane tanks, etc.) and expert witnesses in the area of economics, engineering and medicine. Under his leadership, the firm successfully experimented with and used "day in the life" videos (to illustrate disability), video depositions and accident reconstructionists with engineering backgrounds, many years before this became the common practice.
Manley F. Brown
Manley F. Brown was a former law clerk to retired United States District Judge W.A. Bootle. Continuing the tradition of Mr. O'Neal and his former partners, Mr. Brown graduated from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law in December of 1964, earning an LLB cum laude. Mr. Brown was Editor-in-Chief of the Mercer Law Review while a student at Mercer. Before entering practice with Mr. O'Neal, Mr. Brown was an attorney with the United States Department of Justice, having served as Federal Court Housean Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia for several years. During that period of time, Mr. Brown, working with the F.B.I. and other government agencies, prepared and conducted numerous jury trials.
Mr. Brown and Mr. O'Neal practiced together for 14 years, preparing and trying many cases, both civil and criminal, before juries. In particular, Messrs. O'Neal and Brown tried a series of civil fraud and personal rights infringement cases which resulted in record setting verdicts in the Middle Georgia area. Mr. Brown is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. In 1972, he designed the first trial advocacy course ever taught at the Mercer University Law School and still teaches that course. He has also served as Chairman of the State Disciplinary Board and the State Board of Bar Examiners.
Mr. Brown's current practice involves the preparation and trial of personal injury matters, including medical malpractice and product liability cases. A large portion of the firm's work is referred by other attorneys and law firms seeking assistance with substantial and complex personal injury matters.
- Selected to Georgia Super Lawyers 2004 - 2009 (The top 5% of lawyers in Georgia chosen by peer review)
- Received Best Lawyers in America designation in 2009
Contact Manley F. Brown: brown@obglawfirm.com
Philip M. Brown
Philip M. Brown joined O'Neal, Brown & Gautreaux, P.C. as an associate in 1995 after graduating from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law in 1994. Mr. Brown previously worked for the firm as a legal assistant following his graduation from the University of Georgia in 1990. His memberships include the American Association for Justice, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the Macon Bar Association, and the Middle Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Brown became a partner in O'Neal, Brown & Gautreaux, P.C. in 2001. His primary practice is in personal injury litigation, including motor vehicle collisions, workers compensation, slip and fall incidents, and premises liability matters. Mr. Brown also handles cases involving insurance law, including coverage and payment disputes.
Contact Philip M. Brown: pmb@obglawfirm.com
Jarome E. Gautreaux
Mr. Gautreaux greatly enjoys helping clients through the various problems and ordeals that arise in legal matters. He focuses his practice on representing clients in cases involving defective products, medical negligence, government liability, insurance disputes, and serious personal injury.
Mr. Gautreaux was recently named a "Rising Star" by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine. He served as President of the Middle Georgia Trial Lawyers in 2006. His memberships include the Amicus Curiae committee of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice and the American Bar Association.
Prior to joining O'Neal, Brown & Gautreaux in 2000, Mr. Gautreaux served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard Mills, United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois. He was an editor of the Mercer Law Review and was a member of the 1997 Championship Intrastate Moot Court Team at Mercer. He also holds a Master's Degree from Georgia State University and a Bachelor's Degree from Mercer University.
Mr. Gautreaux has lectured on a variety of legal topics, including government liability, civil procedure, civil rights, and trial preparation.
Contact Jerome E. Gautreaux: jeg@obglawfirm.com
Justin D. Studstill
Mr. Studstill graduated with honors from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in 2004. In 2007, Mr. Studstill graduated with honors from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law. He was a member of the Brainerd Currie Honor Society and a member of the Mercer Law Review. Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Studstill worked at the Atlanta law firm of Balch & Bingham, LLP where he focused his practice on products liability defense and general litigation. After two years at Balch & Bingham, LLP, Mr. Studstill joined our firm where he handles all types of personal injury cases. Mr. Studstill is a member of the Georgia Bar Association, American Association for Justice, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the Macon Bar Association, Middle Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and the William Augustus Bootle American Inn of Court.
Contact Justin D. Studstill: jstudstill@obglawfirm.com
James M. Wootan
James M. Wootan joined the firm in an "of counsel" relationship in 1987. Mr. Wootan graduated from Tulane University and obtained his law degree from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law. He holds a Master's degree in taxation from Emory University. Mr. Wootan's primary areas of practice include taxation, business entities, probate, trust and estates, elder law and general civil litigation.
Contact James M. Wootan:
jmw.law@mindspring.com