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Hall Booth Smith, P.C.Of Counsel
Laura DeMartini
Pro

Laura DeMartini

4.5
11 reviews

191 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Aging Services, Correctional Health Care, Dental and 3 more

About Laura DeMartini

Laura DeMartini is of counsel in our Atlanta office, where she regularly represents providers including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and sub-acute facilities in all phases of litigation related to both general and professional liability claims. She also maintains a regulatory practice, advising providers on regulatory compliance, assisting with internal investigations, self-reporting requirements, risk management, policy development, and legislative interpretation.

Throughout her experience, she has defended numerous medical professionals in medical malpractice cases and in front of their respective licensing boards. She also represents health care providers in Medicare, Medicaid, quality improvement organization, and private health insurance company audits and administrative actions.

Laura’s practice further extends to representing healthcare entities, staffing firms, and mental health facilities in cases of negligent hiring, retention, and credentialing, along with claims of professional negligence, HIPAA violations, and intentional torts. Her legal expertise spans a wide range of industries and cases, including affirmative equitable relief, bankruptcy, catastrophic injury, commercial and construction litigation, contract disputes, insurance coverage, legal and professional malpractice, premises and product liability, real estate disputes, trucking litigation, and wrongful death claims. In addition, Laura regularly represents insurance companies in matters involving bad faith and coverage disputes.

With a national practice, Laura has handled cases across the country and successfully tried jury cases in Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, and South Carolina. She holds bar licenses in Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri, and has been admitted pro hac vice in various other courts.

A native of Atlanta, Laura earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia, cum laude, where she was on the editorial board and was an articles editor of the Journal of Intellectual Property Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia.

Recognition

•The Best Lawyers in America , Best Lawyers, 2026
•Awarded in: Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
•Georgia Super Lawyers, Medical Malpractice Defense, Super Lawyers, 2023 - 2024
•Georgia’s Top Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Hubbell & ALM, 2022
•Top Rated Litigator, Martindale-Hubbell & ALM, 2021 - 2022
•Elite Lawyer of the South, Martindale-Hubbell & ALM, 2021 - 2022

•Woman Leader in the Law, ALM, 2020 - 2022
•Georgia Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2012 - 2020
•America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators, 2019
•America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, 2018
•DRI’s Albert H. Parnell Outstanding Program Chair Award, 2017
•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Presentations

•Administrative Defense Matters, Peer Review, Hospital Privileges and Board Issues
National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly; August 2022
•Sorry, We’ve Been Sued
National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly; August 2022
•Risk Management in 2022 - Real Medical Malpractice Cases, Real Clients and Real Concerns
GPMA; March 2022
•Theater of the Courtroom: The Art of Storytelling
DRI Annual Meeting; October 2021

•Theater of the Courtroom: Overcoming Obstacles at Trial in a Pandemic
DRI Annual Meeting; October 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
The Midwest - IPMA; September 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
SW - TPMA; September 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
APMA - The National; July 2021
•Deposition Maneuvers of Today’s Plaintiff’s Bar: How to Arm Yourself and Your Client for the 30(b)(6) Battle and Beyond
DRI, Medical Liability & Health Care Law Seminar; July 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
Midwest - IPMA; June 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
The Western - CPMA; June 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
OFAAS; June 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
ACFAS; May 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
Goldfarb Region III; May 2021
•Risk Management in 2021: Real Cases, Real Clients and Real Concerns
GPMA; February 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
NY Clinical - NYSPMA; January 2021
•Trending Now: Complex Claims Physicians & Surgeons Face Today
FPMA; January 2021
•Risk Reduction Strategies in 2020 and Beyond
GPMA; Educational Foundation Virtual Conference; October 2020
•How to Reduce the Risk of a Lawsuit in 2020 and Beyond
National Medical Association; Virtual Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly; August 2020
•How to Reduce the Risk of a Lawsuit in 2020 and Beyond
PICA; Educational Webinar CME; July 2020
•Working From Home, Homeschooling, and the Issues Both Present
DRI for Life Podcast; May 2020
•How to Diversify Your Committee
DRI Leadership Conference; January 2020
•30(b)(6) Depositions & Corporate Implications in Litigation
CHG Healthcare Services, Inc.; November 2019
•Watch Your Back for Reptiles - How to Slash Back and Speak the Defense Narrative
Chiropractic and Beyond; Continuing Education Program; September 2019
•Do Not Let Your 30(b)(6) Deponent Get Snaked - Slash Back and Speak the Defense Narrative
American Property Casualty Insurance Association; National General Counsel Conference; September 2019
•Risk Management, Locums, Litigation & Emotions
Weatherby Healthcare; May 2019
•Physician Risk - Concerning Trends and How to Avoid Them
APMA; May 2019
•Newbie Mistakes - Avoiding Risk in the First Ten Years of Physician Practice
GPMA; February 2019
•Physician Risk - Concerning Trends and How to Avoid Them
GPMA; February 2019
•Effective Witness Preparation & Emerging Trends with Opioid Litigation
MagMutual Insurance Company; Claims Professional Continuing Education; January 2019
•Understanding Malpractice Risks and the Claims Process for Chiropractors
OUM Webinar; January 2019
•Lawsuits Are A Pain In The Neck PART II
Chiropractic and Beyond Continuing Education Program; December 2018
•Legal and Risk Management Update
Conference on Foot & Ankle Surgery; November 2018
•How to Better Understand Your Client’s Business and Make Your Claims Professional’s Life Easier
DRI Annual Meeting; Medical Liability & Health Care Law Committee CLE; October 2018
•Lawsuits Are A Pain In The Neck PART II
Chiropractic and Beyond Continuing Education Program; October 2018
•Simple Things You Can Do To Reduce Your Risk of a Lawsuit
OPMA Region 7 Fall 2018 Meeting; September 2018
•Depositions: Medical Reptile Deposition Tactics and How to Prepare for Apex, 30(b)(6), Expert and Client Depositions, Including Physicians, Nurses, Administrators and Other Health Care Employees
DRI; Striking Back Against the Reptile in Medical Malpractice and Long-Term Care Cases Seminar; June 2018
•Top Practice Improvements to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Risks
APMA; 2018 Beachside Scientific Seminar; May 2018
•Top Practice Improvements to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Risks
GPMA; 21st Annual Georgia Summit Program; February 2018
•Why Patients Sue
Heartland Foot & Ankle Conference; October 2016
•Dealing with Audits and Compliance with Medicare, HIPAA and Healthcare Insurance
Chiropractic and Beyond Continuing Education Program; September 2016
•Wound Care: Have a Seat at the High Stakes Table
Conference on Wound Care; May 2016
•Why Patients Sue
Georgia Podiatric Medical Association Meeting; February 2016
•Chiropractic Board Matters: Compliance with Board Rules and What to Do if You Receive a Board Subpoena or Complaint
Chiropractic and Beyond Continuing Education Program; September 2015
•Do You Want to be Dr. Smith or Dr. Jones? Demonstrating and Documenting Careful, Competent and Caring Treatment
North Carolina Foot & Ankle Society 2015 Winter Scientific Seminar; January 2015
•Adjusting Your Behavior to Avoid the Pain of a Lawsuit
Chiropractic and Beyond Continuing Education Program; December 2014
•Don’t Let a Lawsuit Trip You Up
Georgia Podiatric Medical Association Meeting; October 2014
•Adjusting Your Behavior to Avoid the Pain of a Lawsuit
Chiropractic and Beyond Continuing Education Program; September 2014
•Top 10 Reasons for Lawsuits Against Podiatrists
Alabama Podiatric Medical Association Scientific Seminar; May 2013
•Lawsuits Are A Pain In The Neck
Chiropractic and Beyond Continuing Education Program; 2013
•Collaborative Care: The Use of Consultants
The Podiatry Institute; 2010

Publications

•Bibb County Jury Returns $40M Verdict Against Hospitals After Deaf Woman’s Death
Law.com; June 28, 2023
•Drunk, Sleeping Jurors During Virtual Malpractice Trials
Medscape; March 24, 2022
•Slash Back and Speak the Defense Narrative: Do Not Let Your 30(b)(6) Deponent Get Snaked
DRI; For the Defense; May 2019
•How Reptile Theory is Used in Rule 30(b)(6) Depositions in Medical Malpractice / LTC / ALF Litigation
DRI; The Voice of the Defense Bar; December 21, 2018

•What Happens in Vegas Doesn’t Always Have to Stay There: DRI Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar focuses on emerging issues in medical liability litigation
DRI; For the Defense; May 2017
•Fort Oglethorpe Loses Lawsuit Over Cricket Pitch, Ordered to Pay Nearly $90,000
Walker County Messenger; September 10, 2014
•From the Publications Chair: You Get What You Give
DRI; For the Defense; August 2013
•GA Court Strikes Noneconomic Caps; Two Other Tort Reform Provisions Survive
DRI; The Voice of the Defense Bar; December 13, 2010
•Default by Purchaser and Judicial Process After Termination
National Business Institute; Continuing Legal Education; 2003

In the Press

HBS Atlanta Welcomes Two New Attorneys, Laura DeMartini & Nate Chong

November 5, 2024

The Atlanta office is excited to welcome Of Counsel Laura DeMartini and Associate D. Nathan “Nate” Chong.

 

Laura DeMartini (Atlanta, Georgia) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Laura DeMartini got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Laura DeMartini

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Overall Rating
4.5
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11
Lawyers.com
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4.5
Martindale
11
Avvo
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Services

Areas of Law

  • Medical Malpractice
  • Other 5
    • Aging Services
    • Correctional Health Care
    • Dental
    • Entertainment
    • Professional Malpractice & Ethics

Practice Details

  • Video Calls
    Offers Video Calls
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Of Counsel
    Firm Name
    Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Obtained a defense verdict for a surgeon
    his practice in a medical malpractice case in Selma, Alabama in 2012. The plaintiff alleged the defendant surgeon severed the medial
    lateral branches of the posterior tibial nerve as well as the dorsal medial
    lateral cutaneous
    plantar medial
    lateral cutaneous nerves during surgery. The plaintiff additionally alleged that the defendant surgeon altered his records to create fictitious office visits
    that the defendant surgeon wantonly refused to see the plaintiff after surgery. The plaintiff prayed for four million dollars in damages, including two million dollars in punitive damages. Despite these allegations, supported by the plaintiff's subsequent treating doctor, the jury returned a defense verdict for the surgeon
    his practice.

    Obtained affirmative equitable relief in the form of deconstruction of a cricket pitch
    a permanent injunction against the City of Fort Oglethorpe following a jury trial in Ringgold, Georgia in 2012. The jury awarded attorneys' fees in the amount of $80,000.00.

    Obtained a defense verdict for a surgeon
    his practice in a medical malpractice case in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2010. The plaintiff suffered an extremity amputation following the defendant's surgery to the extremity. Despite allegations, supported by the plaintiff's subsequent treating doctors, that the surgeon caused not only the amputation but also CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
    phantom
    chronic pain, the jury returned a defense verdict for the surgeon
    his practice.

    Obtained a defense verdict for a surgeon
    his practice in a medical malpractice case in Charleston, South Carolina in 2009. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant surgeon negligently performed tarsal tunnel release surgery by cutting a nerve
    causing CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) in the plaintiff's foot. The plaintiff's subsequent treating surgeon testified in the plaintiff's favor
    opined that the defendant cut plaintiff's lateral plantar nerve. Despite these allegations, the jury returned a defense verdict for the surgeon
    his practice in under 10 minutes.

    Successfully moved to dismiss an accusation filed by the California Board of Optometry against an optometrist in 2011.

    Successfully set aside, through judicial review, disciplinary sanctions issued by the Nevada Board of Optometry against an optometrist in 2010.

    Successfully moved to dismiss charges filed by the Iowa Board of Podiatry against a podiatrist in 2009.

    Successfully defeated a summary judgment motion brought by a real estate lienholder against a mortgage company. Further defended the ruling in the Georgia Court of Appeals
    Georgia Supreme Court. The case is reported at Deljoo v. SunTrust Mortg., Inc., 295 Ga. App. 187, 671 S.E.2d 234 (2008)
    is cited in secondary sources at Fletcher Cyclopedia Law of Private Corporations § 2467, Necessity
    use of seal--Deeds, mortgages, leases
    contracts respecting real property (2010) HN: 1,2 (S.E.2d)
    Georgia Real Estate Finance
    Foreclosure Law § 3:1, The nature of collateral (2010) HN: 1 (S.E.2d)
    Georgia Real Estate Sales Contracts § 12:11, Mortgages
    security deeds (2010) HN: 1 (S.E.2d)
    Georgia Real Estate Title Exam
    Closings § 2-35, Security deeds (2010) HN: 1 (S.E.2d)
    Georgia Admissibility of Evidence in Civil Cases C33, Corporations (2010) HN: 1,2 (S.E.2d)
    Pindar's Ga. Real Estate Law & Proc. with Forms § 21-16, Execution of security deeds (2010) HN: 1 (S.E.2d)
    Pindar's Ga. Real Estate Law & Proc. with Forms § 21-18, Recording (2010) HN: 1 (S.E.2d)
    Ga. Jur. Corporations, etc. § 5:24, Statutory apparent authority
    effect of attestation (2010).

    Successfully defended a roofing company against claims of negligent construction made by an Atlanta, Georgia nightclub. The case was resolved in 2009 with no payment by the defense
    full payment by the nightclub of amounts owed to the roofing company.

    Obtained a bench trial verdict in favor of a shipping company for amounts owed in 2008.

  • Additional Links
    https://hallboothsmith.com/attorney/laura-demartini/

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    2005, Georgia
    Court of Appeals, Supreme Court
    2006, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
    2009, Alabama
    2009, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    2011, Missouri
    2018, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
    Memberships

    Memberships

    •DRI
    •Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee, 2010-Present
    •Committee Chair, 2021-2023
    •Committee Vice Chair, 2019-2021
    •Seminar Chair 2016-2017
    •DRI For Life Committee, 2015-2022
    •Annual Meeting Steering Committee, 2018-2019
    •Young Lawyers Committee, 2008-2015
    •Complex Medicine Seminar Steering Committee, 2013-2014
    •Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
    •Georgia Defense Lawyers Association
    •International Association of Defense Counsel
    •Lekotek of Georgia, Board of Directors, 2017-2020

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of Georgia
    Class of 2005
    J.D.
    cum laude
    Other Education
    University of Georgia
    Class of 2002
    B.A.
    magna cum laude, Political Science

    Double Minor in Philosophy and Speech Communication

Contact Laura DeMartini

Of Counsel at Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
4.5
11 reviews

Suite 2900, 191 Peachtree Street, NEAtlanta, GA 30303U.S.A.

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Office Hours:
  • Monday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tuesday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wednesday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thursday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Friday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Laura DeMartini was admitted in 2005 to the State of Georgia.
  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, Laura DeMartini is admitted to practice in Alabama, Georgia and Missouri.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Laura DeMartini is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia and United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Laura DeMartini attended University of Georgia.
  • Is this attorney listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers?
    Laura DeMartini is listed in the Civil Trial Practice, Insurance Defense, Intellectual Property Law and Medical Malpractice section of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

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