Senior Counsel
Wayne S. Tartline is Senior Counsel - Complex Litigation. He has been a litigator in the Atlanta area since 1999, litigating hundreds of highly contested cases. Mr. Tartline has trial litigation experience encompassing matters in all of Georgia's courts, in Federal Courts and in the State of Florida.
Mr. Tartline's practice is devoted to complex litigation, including business litigation, personal injury litigation, commercial liability disputes, legal and medical malpractice, commercial development/construction/erosion litigation, and intellectual property infringement and trade secrets litigation.
Areas of Practice
Commercial Litigation
Serious Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Medical Malpractice
Professional Liability and Legal Malpractice
Bar Admissions
State Bar of Georgia, 1999
U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 1999
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 2003
State Bar of Florida, 2002
U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia, 2010
United States Patent Trademark Office, 2008
Education
Georgia State University School of Law, J.D., 1999
Georgia Tech, Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, 1994
Professional or Trade Affiliations
Georgia Tech Bar Association
Tort and Insurance Law Section
Publications
Intellectually Perplexing – Insurance Coverage Issues for Trademark, Copyright, and Advertising Injury Claims, 2013
Community Involvement
- Founding Member , Georgia Innocence Project
Representative Experience
- Obtained a complete defense judgment after a jury trial in an admitted-fault motor vehicle collision in which his client had been arrested and jailed for driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance. Pierce v. Johnson, Glynn County Superior Court, Civil Action No. CE24-00960; Trial March 2026.
- Prevailed in a jury trial obtaining a defense verdict for his client who was sued by a plaintiff who claimed over $106,000.00 in past medical expenses following a motor vehicle collision. The plaintiff claimed severe neck, mid-back, and lower back pain. Of the substantial medical bills, approximately $70,000 related to multiple spinal injections and a lumbar surgical procedure performed by a prominent Atlanta orthopedic practice. Ludeman v Smith; Cobb County State Court, Civil Action No. 23A1043; Trial June 2025.
- Obtained a jury verdict in favor of his client, an HVAC contractor who has been sued by State Farm Insurance Company who claimed his client had negligently repaired a residential heat pump, causing a fire which destroyed the home. Robertson v Dockery's Electrical, Plumbing, Heating and Air, Inc. Habersham County State Court, Civil Action No. 20ST0082; Trial October 2023.
- Obtained summary judgment for defense (upheld on appeal) in trademark dispute filed in U.S. Federal Court, Northern District of Georgia, alleging "Grouchy's" Deli infringed upon prior user's mark "Groucho's." Groucho's Franchise Systems, LLC v. Grouchy's Deli, Inc., 683 Fed. Appx. 826 (2017).
- Obtained reversal of trial court ruling by Georgia Supreme Court excluding defense expert as to causation and limiting defense of apportionment. Supreme Court ruling also upheld constitutionality of Georgia's apportionment statute despite due process challenge. Johnson Street Properties, LLC v. Clure, 302 Ga. 51 (2017).
- Obtained seven figure settlement in favor of commercial lender prior to trial of fraudulent conveyance action where debtor had gifted stock to wife in order to avoid debt. (2013)
- Appeal of trial court order resulted in dismissal of case against local homeowners whose deck had collapsed and resulted in serious injuries to invited guests. Thompson v. Oursler, 318 Ga. App. 377 (2012).
- Negotiated favorable settlement for golf cart dealer of Eastman, Georgia who had been sued for trademark infringement for using the "Beast" mark in connection with the marketing of off-road golf carts. The evidence developed led to a very favorable settlement for the Defendant allowing it to continue sales of its latest product, the "Beast Buggy," as well as receive a substantial cash payment from the Plaintiff. Golf Cart World, Inc. v. Mike's Golf Carts, LLC; U.S. Dist. Ct., Middle Dist. Georgia; Case No.: 5:09-CV-386 (2011).
- Obtained summary judgment and dismissal of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and civil conspiracy claims against regional producer of corn meal, rice, grits, beans, and southern baking mixes. Brown Bark II, L.P. v. Dixie Mills, LLC, 732 F. Supp. 2d 1353 (N.D. Ga. 2010).
- Appeal of Fulton County trial court resulted in reversal in favor of general contractor and finding that arbitration clause was voidable at the pleasure of contractor, Harris v. Albany Lime & Cement Co., 291 Ga. App. 47 (2008).
- Obtained dismissal of legal malpractice claim at trial filed against divorce lawyer by former client by exploiting time limitations codified in O.C.G.A. Section 9-11-9.1. Landau v. Davis Law Group, P.C., 269 Ga. App. 904 (2004).