Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/153540
ADVERTISEMENT Buzzell, Graham & Welsh, LLP 200 Third Street P.O. Box 1017 Macon, Georgia 31202 What is the focus of Buzzell, Graham & Welsh's, LLP law practice? Buzzell, Graham & Welsh, LLP formed a partnership in 1998. We have seven attorneys and approximately fifteen support staff. Our practice centers on trial advocacy for personal injury, workers' compensation, nursing home litigation and Social Security Disability, but we also help our clients with whatever their legal needs may be. Our success originates from our single-minded belief in practicing law with our clients' best interest in mind. We do a great deal of pro bono work for individuals and play an active role volunteering for such organizations as Central Georgia CASA, Macon Civic Club and the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, which we feel are vital to the Middle Georgia community. We believe that volunteering is an investment in the community and fosters growth as a leader. (478) 742-8820 www.bgwlaw.com With so many attorneys moving their offices to North Macon, why did Buzzell, Graham & Welsh, LLP decide to locate downtown? We feel that Macon is the center of Middle Georgia and its health is vital to our community. There is still a lot of work to do, but historic downtown Macon is improving every day. We are proud to be a part of this and hopefully, one day, everyone will be trying to move back downtown. What sets your firm apart from other law firms in this community? Our firm operates like a close-knit family. Hiring an attorney at Buzzell, Graham & Welsh, LLP is actually hiring seven attorneys to work on your case for the price of one. We have strong professional relationships with one another and consult one another when encountering novel or unusual issues. This ensures that we are able to tackle just about any legal issue that could possibly arise. We have a true and genuine interest in supporting each other personally and professionally, making us better attorneys. The legal market nationwide has recently taken a hit due to the economic downturn. How do you believe Macon's legal market has been affected, and has Macon been better or worse off than other legal markets? Of course, the economy impacts all businesses and professions. People have less money to spend and fewer jobs, and these factors affect everyone. We have noticed that the new hiring and starting salaries for young lawyers have declined. However, we are beginning to see a turn-around and since most local firms have strong ties to in-state law schools, our profession's future remains bright for graduates seeking a legal career here. Pictured above: Jed Hill, Stephen Welsh, Debra Kent, Bill Buzzell (seated) Neal Graham (behind Bill), Steven McNeel, and Josh Carroll. Not pictured: Camille D. Dizon. 56 l MACON MAGAZINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013