Savannah-based law firm Brennan & Wasden LLC is expanding its medical and professional negligence practice with the addition of three prominent attorneys and the opening of an office in Augusta.

Augusta attorneys James V. Painter, F. Michael Taylor and Amanda D. Lynde, formerly with Hull Barrett PC, are joining Brennan & Wasden.  Painter joins as a partner and the firm will now operate as Brennan, Wasden & Painter, LLC. 

Established in 1989, Brennan & Wasden has grown to become one of the most respected law firms in the state, with a staff of 14 attorneys representing clients throughout southeast Georgia and South Carolina in a wide range of legal areas.  The new partnership will employ 32 attorneys and support staff in Savannah and Augusta. 

While general civil litigation has been a core strength of Brennan & Wasden for 25 years, professional liability and medical malpractice defense has been a major growth area during the past decade for the firm.  The three attorneys joining Brennan & Wasden are recognized as one of the leading medical malpractice defense teams in the state. 

“The driving force behind this expansion is synergy,” said Wiley Wasden III, managing partner for Brennan & Wasden.  “By joining together, we provide a solid base for representing professionals and businesses throughout southeastern Georgia and South Carolina, particularly those in the medical field.  Our two teams represent major healthcare providers throughout the region, and now as a single firm, we deliver an enhanced level of specialization plus continuity of service throughout two states,” Wasden noted.

Jim Painter will serve as the managing partner for the new Augusta firm.  He has 20 years experience as an attorney, the majority of which has been dedicated to representing hospitals and physicians. For Painter, the new venture is a career coming full circle as he entered the legal profession as an associate with Brennan & Wasden in Savannah in 1994. 

“This new partnership is based on years of mutual respect and friendship.  I’ve known Joe Brennan and Wiley Wasden for my entire career and I am truly excited to be working with them again.  Our combined professional skills will reinforce the results we achieve for our respective clients and also allow us to broaden our client base,” Painter said.