10 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Atlanta, GA

This guide profiles 10 criminal defense lawyers and law firms serving Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, and the surrounding metro. Each firm was evaluated on how much of its practice is devoted to criminal defense, the trial results and dismissals it publishes, whether its attorneys bring prosecutor or public defender experience, and how comfortable it is in both Georgia state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

When comparing options, ask three practical questions. First, which courts does the firm appear in every week: the Municipal Court of Atlanta, the State and Superior Courts of Fulton or DeKalb County, or federal court on Ted Turner Drive? Second, will the attorney you meet be the one who tries your case if it does not resolve? Third, how is the fee structured, and does it cover a jury trial and any related license hearing? This is not a ranked or sponsored list. Firm details were drawn from each firm’s own website, attorney directories such as Avvo, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers, and public business listings.

1. Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman

• Key Attorneys: Lawrence J. Zimmerman, Founder; Paul Arena Camarillo, Of Counsel
• Headquarters: 1800 Peachtree Rd NW, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30309 (additional office at 269 Roswell St NE, 3rd Floor, Marietta, GA 30060)
• Phone: (404) 351-3000
• Website: atlantanotguilty.com
• Practice Areas: Federal Crimes, Violent Crimes, Sex Crimes, Drug Crimes, Theft and White Collar Offenses, DUI, Appeals
• Firm Size: Boutique criminal defense practice led by a trial attorney with more than 25 years of state and federal experience
• Practice Area Page: Atlanta Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Social & Professional Profiles: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Super Lawyers

Lawrence J. Zimmerman has spent more than 25 years defending people charged in Georgia state courts and in federal court, and he opened his own firm just six months after finishing law school at Roger Williams University. His practice is built around trial work. He has won acquittals in cases ranging from murder to rape, secured appellate reversals, and in May 2019 obtained not guilty verdicts on every count in a child molestation trial, including a directed verdict. Not every win comes from a jury: in a Cobb County cocaine possession case, he persuaded the court to send his client to treatment instead of a five-year sentence, and he regularly resolves shoplifting and other first-time charges with dismissals.

Peers have recognized that record. Zimmerman served as president of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2020, holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, is a member of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and has been selected for Super Lawyers and Avvo Clients’ Choice honors. He is also a familiar voice in criminal law media, appearing on Court TV, Fox, and ABC and on Vinnie Politan’s “Closing Arguments.” With offices in Midtown Atlanta and Marietta, the firm covers Fulton, Cobb, and the surrounding counties as well as the Northern District of Georgia.

2. Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC

• Key Attorneys: Jess Johnson, Partner; Cary Citronberg, Partner
• Atlanta Office: 1100 Peachtree St NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30309 (headquarters at 421 King St, Suite 505, Alexandria, VA 22314)
• Phone: (855) 959-4003
• Website: jzcclaw.com
• Practice Areas: Federal Criminal Defense, Internet and Child Pornography Offenses, Drug Conspiracy, White Collar Crime, Autism and Criminal Justice Defense, Pre-Charge Investigations
• Firm Size: Small federal-focused defense firm; reports nearly 40 years of combined experience
• Practice Area Page: Federal Criminal Defense
• Social & Professional Profiles: YouTube | Yelp | USLegal

Johnson/Citronberg concentrates on federal criminal defense, the type of case where an indictment often follows months of quiet investigation and the stakes include mandatory minimum sentences. Partners Jess Johnson and Cary Citronberg bring nearly 40 years of combined experience and are routinely selected for Super Lawyers. The firm’s published results include a not guilty verdict in a federal drug conspiracy case (U.S. v. V.W.), a dismissal in a federal child pornography case (U.S. v. C.K.), and a dismissed state charge in Virginia v. M.T.

The firm prepares federal cases the way large white collar firms do. It works with private investigators, forensic computer experts, and forensic psychologists, and it uses focus groups to test how jurors may react to the evidence before trial. Caseloads are kept deliberately small, and the firm has published a free handbook for people facing federal internet sex crime investigations. It has also developed a distinct practice defending autistic individuals accused of crimes, an area where diagnosis and intent can change the outcome of a case. Atlanta clients facing charges in the Northern District of Georgia can meet the team at its Peachtree Street office.

3. Bixon Law

• Key Attorneys: Michael Bixon, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 260 Peachtree St NW, Suite 2200, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: (404) 551-5684
• Website: bixonlaw.com
• Practice Areas: Violent Crimes, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Drug Offenses, Theft, Sex Crimes, DUI, Probation Violations
• Firm Size: Solo-led downtown criminal defense firm; attorney licensed since 2010
• Practice Area Page: Practice Areas
• Social Profiles: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube

Michael Bixon has practiced criminal defense for roughly 15 years and founded Bixon Law after serving as a senior associate at Reynolds Law Group. A graduate of the University of Central Florida and Barry University School of Law, he is a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. His downtown office on Peachtree Street sits a short walk from the Fulton County Courthouse, where many of his felony cases are heard.

The firm’s published results lean toward serious felonies. They include dismissals in an armed robbery and aggravated assault case and in an aggravated assault case involving the discharge of a firearm, along with other dismissed and reduced charges. Clients can reach the firm 24/7, consultations are free, and payment plans are available. With a 4.9-star Google rating across more than 170 reviews, Bixon Law has one of the strongest client feedback records among Atlanta defense firms.

4. Garland, Samuel & Loeb, P.C.

• Key Attorneys: Edward T.M. Garland, Partner; Donald F. Samuel, Partner; Robin N. Loeb, Partner; John A. Garland, Partner; Amanda R. Clark Palmer, Partner; Kristen W. Novay, Partner
• Headquarters: Garland Law Building, 3151 Maple Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
• Phone: (404) 262-2225
• Website: gsllaw.com
• Practice Areas: Federal Charges, White Collar Crime, Murder Defense, Serious Felonies, Sex Crimes, Drug Trafficking, Firearm Offenses, Criminal Appeals, Habeas Corpus, Catastrophic Personal Injury
• Firm Size: Established Buckhead trial firm serving clients for more than 75 years; reports 300+ trials to verdict and 100+ appellate decisions
• Practice Area Page: Criminal Defense
• Social Profiles: Facebook | LinkedIn | X

Garland, Samuel & Loeb is one of the most established criminal defense firms in Georgia, and many of the state’s highest-profile cases have passed through its Buckhead offices. Founding partner Ed Garland, a former president of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, has been licensed for more than six decades. Partner Don Samuel argued the Fourth Amendment case Georgia v. Randolph before the U.S. Supreme Court, is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and wrote several of the treatises Georgia judges and lawyers rely on, including the Georgia Criminal Law Case Finder and The Eleventh Circuit Criminal Handbook.

The firm reports more than 300 trials to verdict and more than 100 appellate decisions, and its lawyers have represented athletes, public officials, and professionals in state and federal court. Clients describe the second-generation partners, including John Garland and Amanda Clark Palmer, as communicative and closely involved, with recent reviews describing full dismissals after lengthy prosecutions. Because the firm handles federal indictments, murder trials, and appeals under one roof, it is often a first call when a case may need to be tried and then defended on appeal.

5. Lawson & Berry

• Key Attorneys: Richard Lawson, Partner; Kimberly Berry, Partner; Sara Gheesling; David Heath
• Atlanta Office: 10 Glenlake Pkwy NE, Suite 130, Atlanta, GA 30328 (additional offices in Lawrenceville, Roswell, Marietta, Dunwoody, Dahlonega, and Dawsonville)
• Phone: (404) 800-5810
• Website: georgiacriminallawyer.com
• Practice Areas: Felony Defense, Sex Offenses, Drug Crimes, Violent Crimes, DUI, Theft, Probation Violations, Federal Defense
• Firm Size: Multi-office metro Atlanta criminal defense firm; reports 50 combined years of experience
• Practice Area Page: Atlanta Criminal Attorney
• Social Profiles: Not listed on the firm website

Lawson & Berry is built around trial experience and wide geographic coverage. Partner Kimberly Berry, who trained at Vanderbilt University Law School, has handled more than 100 trials and contested motions and holds an Avvo Rating of 10.0 (Superb), and the firm practices in federal court in the Northern District of Georgia as well as in state courts across the metro. Partner Richard Lawson leads alongside her, and the firm’s 50 combined years of experience are concentrated on felony, sex offense, and drug cases.

The practical advantage is reach. With offices in Sandy Springs, Lawrenceville, Roswell, Marietta, Dunwoody, Dahlonega, and Dawsonville, the firm can cover Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, and the North Georgia mountain counties without hand-offs between firms. It answers calls 24/7 and offers free case evaluations, and its 4.9-star Google rating across more than 150 reviews reflects consistent client feedback.

6. The Church Law Firm

• Key Attorneys: Tom Church, Founder; Reid Koski, Trial Attorney
• Headquarters: Centennial Tower, 101 Marietta St NW, Suite 3300, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: (404) 223-3310
• Website: church.law
• Practice Areas: Federal Crimes, State Felonies, Criminal Appeals, Cannabis and Hemp Defense, Whistleblower Representation
• Firm Size: Boutique trial firm founded in 2022
• Practice Area Page: Georgia Criminal Defense
• Social Profiles: Not listed on the firm website

Tom Church was hired out of the University of Georgia School of Law by the late Atlanta defense lawyer Page Pate, became a partner at Pate, Johnson & Church in 2019, and founded The Church Law Firm in late 2022. He has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star every year from 2022 through 2025, was selected for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in 2025, and was named to The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 in 2020. He also speaks Spanish, which matters for many clients and families in metro Atlanta.

The firm’s results show range. In April 2025 the Eleventh Circuit overturned a six-year federal sentence after the government breached a plea agreement; in December 2024 a 300-pound marijuana trafficking case was dismissed; and in a false labor trafficking accusation, the client was released with time served. The firm also handles state and federal appeals, cannabis and hemp matters, and whistleblower cases. It takes a selective approach to intake, which keeps attorney attention on each file but means not every case will be accepted.

7. George C. Creal Jr., P.C., Trial Lawyers

• Key Attorneys: George C. Creal Jr., Founder; Eric Bernstein; Justin Goodman; Claudia Creal
• Headquarters: 480 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Unit 190, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Phone: (404) 333-0706
• Website: georgecreal.com
• Practice Areas: DUI, Drug Charges, Traffic Offenses, Theft, Misdemeanors, Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation
• Firm Size: Small Old Fourth Ward firm with a DUI and misdemeanor focus; caseload kept under 100 open matters
• Practice Area Page: Atlanta DUI Lawyer
• Social Profiles: Facebook

George Creal has built one of Atlanta’s best-known DUI defense practices. He holds an AV Preeminent rating and an Avvo Rating of 10.0, serves on the faculty of the National College for DUI Defense, was named a Lawyer of the Year in 2022, and has argued twice before the Supreme Court of Georgia. Associate Eric Bernstein is a former assistant public defender, and Justin Goodman and Claudia Creal were recognized by Best Lawyers in 2025.

The firm’s model is designed around attention. It caps its caseload below 100 matters and follows a “One Client, One Lawyer” approach, so the attorney who meets you stays with the case. Fees are flat, set in two tiers, which lets clients know the cost up front. The trade-off is scope: the firm’s criminal work centers on DUI, drug, and misdemeanor charges, so clients facing complex federal or violent felony cases may be better served by a firm that concentrates on those charges.

8. Schnipper Law, P.C.

• Key Attorneys: David Schnipper, Founder
• Headquarters: 2300 Henderson Mill Rd, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30345 (satellite office in Buckhead)
• Phone: (404) 545-5845
• Website: selectschnipper.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Drug Charges, Theft, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Offenses, Personal Injury
• Firm Size: Small DeKalb-based firm led by a former prosecutor; attorney licensed since 2011
• Practice Area Page: Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Social Profiles: Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Instagram

David Schnipper worked in two district attorney’s offices before moving to the defense side, and that background shapes how he evaluates a case: he looks for the weaknesses a prosecutor would worry about and the deals a prosecutor is likely to offer. He earned his law degree in 2011, holds an Avvo Rating of 10.0 and an Avvo Clients’ Choice award, and has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers. Attorney at Law Magazine featured him as an Attorney of the Month.

The firm offers a free one-hour consultation, which is longer than many firms provide, and its Henderson Mill Road office is convenient for clients in DeKalb County and the northeast suburbs, with a satellite in Buckhead for clients closer to the city. Clients describe cases being thrown out and out-of-state clients being guided through Georgia proceedings remotely. The firm also handles personal injury matters, so criminal defense is a primary focus rather than its only one.

9. Arora Law

• Key Attorneys: Manny Arora, Founding Partner; Jennifer Hyman; Robert Wilson; Beth Noble; Courtney Whitt; Alex Patafio; David Lee Windecher; Ashlie Forrester
• Headquarters: 75 W Wieuca Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
• Phone: (404) 609-4664
• Website: thearoralawfirm.com
• Practice Areas: Homicide, Gun and Weapons Offenses, White Collar Crime, Fraud, Drug Trafficking, DUI, Federal Crimes, Appeals, Expungement
• Firm Size: Mid-size criminal defense and trial firm with eight attorneys
• Practice Area Page: Criminal Defense
• Social Profiles: Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn

Manny Arora began his career as a prosecutor for the U.S. Air Force from 1994 to 1998, then prosecuted serious felonies in the Major Crimes Division of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office until 2001. He later became a partner at Garland, Samuel & Loeb before founding his own firm. He is board certified in criminal law, has taught as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University College of Law, holds an AV Preeminent rating and an Avvo Rating of 10.0, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

Arora has handled some of the most closely watched criminal cases in Georgia, including the defense of a defendant in the 2023 Fulton County election interference indictment, and his firm regularly defends homicide, major drug, and complex fraud charges in state and federal court. With eight attorneys in its Buckhead office, the firm can staff a long trial without overloading one lawyer. Its 4.9-star Google rating across more than 140 reviews includes clients describing expungements, dismissals, and acquittals after years of litigation.

10. Law Office of Ahmad R. Crews

• Key Attorneys: Ahmad R. Crews, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 1800 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 335, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Phone: (404) 996-1366
• Website: ahmadrcrews.com
• Practice Areas: Murder Defense, Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery, Drug Crimes, Gun Crimes, Sex Crimes, White Collar Crime, Federal Defense, Bond Hearings, Appeals and Habeas Corpus
• Firm Size: Solo criminal defense practice; attorney licensed since 2017
• Practice Area Page: Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorney
• Social Profiles: Facebook | X

Ahmad R. Crews earned his law degree from Howard University School of Law in 2016 and was admitted to practice in Georgia in 2017. He has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and is active in the Gate City Bar Association, Atlanta’s historic association of Black attorneys. His practice covers the full range of state and federal criminal charges, from misdemeanors and probation revocations to murder, armed robbery, and white collar cases.

Two parts of his practice stand out. He handles bond hearings, which can decide whether a client waits for trial at home or in jail, and he takes on appeals and habeas corpus petitions for people already convicted. His Peachtree Road office in Buckhead is convenient to both the Fulton County courthouse and the federal courthouse downtown. As a solo practitioner with fewer years in practice than some firms on this list, he offers direct attorney contact, but clients facing a lengthy multi-defendant trial may want to ask about support staff and co-counsel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do about my license after a DUI arrest in Georgia?

Act quickly. If you refused testing or tested at or above the legal limit, the arresting officer can begin an administrative suspension of your license. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1, you have 30 days to request an administrative license suspension hearing (with a $150 fee) or, in some cases, to install an ignition interlock device instead, which waives the hearing. Missing the deadline can mean an automatic suspension even if the criminal case is later dismissed. DUI-focused firms such as George C. Creal Jr., P.C. handle these hearings alongside the criminal case.

What is Georgia’s First Offender Act?

The First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60, allows a person without a prior felony conviction to plead guilty or no contest and be sentenced without an adjudication of guilt. If the sentence is completed successfully, the person is discharged without a criminal conviction. Not every charge qualifies: DUI, serious violent felonies, and many sexual offenses are excluded. Whether First Offender treatment is available, and whether the prosecutor will agree to it, is often one of the most important questions in a plea negotiation.

Can I get an arrest record restricted in Georgia?

Often, yes. Georgia uses “record restriction” rather than traditional expungement. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrests that end in dismissal, a nolle prosequi, or an acquittal can generally be restricted so they no longer appear on most employer background checks, though exceptions apply, especially where the dismissal was part of a plea on other charges. Firms such as Arora Law handle record restriction as a follow-up to a favorable result.

Which court will hear my Atlanta criminal case?

It depends on the charge and where the arrest happened. Traffic offenses, many DUIs, and city ordinance violations inside the city limits start in the Municipal Court of Atlanta at 150 Garnett Street. Misdemeanors can also be heard in the State Court of Fulton or DeKalb County, while felonies are prosecuted in Fulton County Superior Court or DeKalb County Superior Court. Federal charges are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, where firms such as Johnson/Citronberg and Garland, Samuel & Loeb regularly appear.

Do I need a lawyer who used to be a prosecutor?

Not necessarily, but it can help. Former prosecutors such as Manny Arora and David Schnipper know how charging decisions and plea offers are made from the inside, and former public defenders bring heavy trial experience. What matters most is how often the lawyer actually tries cases in the court where yours is pending, and whether the lawyer you hire is the one who will stand up in court.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Atlanta?

Most Atlanta defense lawyers charge flat fees rather than hourly rates, and the fee generally rises with the seriousness of the charge and whether the case goes to trial. A misdemeanor or first-offense DUI may be handled for a few thousand dollars, while a serious felony or federal case can cost much more. Ask whether the quoted fee includes a jury trial, motions hearings, and any related license hearing, and whether payment plans are available. Several firms on this list, including Bixon Law, offer payment plans.

Disclaimer: This guide to Atlanta criminal defense attorneys is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an attorney referral. This is not a ranked or sponsored list, and inclusion does not imply an endorsement by, or affiliation with, any named criminal defense law firm beyond what is stated. Attorney credentials, case results, and contact details change over time; please confirm current information directly with each firm before making a hiring decision. Past results described here do not guarantee similar outcomes in any other criminal case.