Firm News
February 1, 2021
Watson Bonander Obtains Summary Judgment for Co-Executors and Co-Trustees
Wade Watson and Laura Bonander recently obtained summary judgment for clients who were co-executors and co-trustees in a declaratory judgment action seeking guidance from the Long County Superior Court on their responsibilities to provide information to trust beneficiaries when the trust document stated they had no such obligation. The Court agreed that there was no such obligation and granted summary judgment in their favor. Dodd, et al., v. Dodd, et al., Long County Superior Court, Civil Action File No. SUV2018000176 (2020).
In the same case, Wade and Laura obtained summary judgment on counterclaims filed by a trust beneficiary for fraud and breach of trust. The Court held that the trust beneficiary could not prove damages for either claim because he had no right to any trust funds while the lifetime beneficiary was still living. Dodd, et al., v. Dodd, et al., Long County Superior Court, Civil Action File No. SUV2018000176 (2020).
January 20, 2021
Wade Watson Joins Former Atlanta Bar Association Presidents to Applaud Rejection of Election Fraud Lawsuits
Wade Watson, who served as president of the Atlanta Bar Association from 2013 to 2014, joined 32 other past presidents of the association in releasing a joint statement applauding judges for rejecting more than 60 lawsuits that aimed to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Read the article that appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on January 19, 2021 about why the group thought it was important to speak out. To view the complete statement issued, click here.
January 15, 2021
Laura Bonander Obtains Attorney’s Fee Award in Excess of $57,000 for Client
Watson Bonander announces that Laura Bonander obtained an attorney’s fee award of more than $57,000 for a client. The award of fees arose out of Laura's representation of the husband of a decedent who was the co-executor of his wife’s estate in a proceeding to enforce a settlement agreement against the co-executor in Fulton County Probate Court. After Laura obtained a court order for the husband enforcing the settlement agreement and removing the co-executor, she then obtained a subsequent court order in December 2020 awarding the husband his attorney’s fees of more than $57,000 for frivolous litigation by the co-executor. She was then able to collect the payment of those fees for her client.
January 5, 2021
Watson Bonander Obtains Attorney’s Fee Award of $90,000
Wade Watson and Laura Bonander recently obtained an award of $90,000 for attorneys’ fees and expenses their clients incurred in responding to a frivolous motion that accused the firm and its clients of fraud and sought to disqualify the attorneys from the case. After the trial court denied the motion to disqualify, the firm filed a motion seeking an award under the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 9-15-14, which allows recovery of attorney’s fees and expenses where an attorney or party brings or defends an action lacking substantial justification. After holding an evidentiary hearing, the trial court agreed that the opposing party’s motion lacked substantial justification and awarded $90,000 against the opposing party and his lawyers. The Court of Appeals denied an application for interlocutory appeal of the award on December 29, 2020. The case is Dodd et al. v. Dodd et al., Long County Superior Court, Civil Action File No. SUV2018000176.
March 26, 2020
Watson Bonander Announces Retirement of Tracey Paul
Watson Bonander extends a heartfelt farewell to our long-time legal assistant, Tracey Paul. After working for law firms for more than 33 years, including 23 years as Wade Watson’s legal assistant, 11 years as Laura Bonander’s assistant and five years running the firm in every imaginable capacity, Tracey is looking forward to a well-earned retirement in the North Georgia mountains. Her last official day is March 31.
“We are so grateful to Tracey for all she has meant to us over these many years. She is what every lawyer hopes to have in an assistant. She is highly competent, efficient, dependable, loyal, responsible, independent, and like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way. More than that, she has been our friend, and we will miss her terribly,” said Wade.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Watson Bonander Attorneys Featured Presenters at Atlanta Bar Association CLE Breakfast
Wade H. Watson III and Laura Kennedy Bonander were featured presenters at the Atlanta Bar Association’s Estate Planning and Probate Section breakfast on Sept. 13, 2017. Their presentation, “The Case for Going to Court: How Declaratory Judgment Actions Can Help Fiduciaries (and Beneficiaries),” argued that declaratory judgment actions should be used to resolve disputes and controversies involving estates, trusts, and closely held businesses because they provide the fiduciary with direction from the court and protection from liability for following that direction. Watson reviewed the governing law and Bonander explained the practical benefits of declaratory judgment actions, giving examples of their use in various situations. The breakfast was part of the Atlanta Bar Association’s continuing legal education series.
October 17, 2016
The Watson Firm, LLC Changes Name to Watson Bonander, LLC
The Watson Firm, LLC, an Atlanta litigation law firm, is pleased to announce that it has changed its name to Watson Bonander, LLC. The new name reflects Laura Kennedy Bonander becoming a named partner in the firm. Founded in 2015 by Wade H. Watson III and Laura Kennedy Bonander, the firm specializes in fiduciary litigation, business litigation and appeals.
“The new name recognizes the significant contributions Laura makes to the firm and our clients, said Wade H. Watson III. “Laura is a highly skilled attorney who is able to efficiently get to the heart of complex matters, and she has an excellent track record of achieving favorable results for her clients.”
The firm has redesigned and updated its website to reflect its new name and Bonander’s role as a founding partner.
Image Gallery
Photos below are from Wade Watson's year as president of the Atlanta Bar Association.
