We're here to help
The attorneys in this office limit their practice to defending lawsuits against people like you who are insured by Allstate or one of their subsidiaries. They represent you and will exercise independent professional judgment in your defense.
Understand the process
Take a few minutes to look over this page and get to know the next steps. The more you know about the litigation process, the better.
Meet your team
Take some time to meet your legal team. While your case is pending, you will likely talk to several members of the firm, including your attorney, paralegals, and administrative assistants.
Got questions?
If this is the first time you have been involved in a lawsuit, you likely have questions. We've put together some frequently asked questions to assist you.
The litigation process
What is litigation?
Contesting a legal action in court.
First steps
How to begin the initial steps of your defense. Your legal team will ask you to fill out a detailed questionnaire. Someone from our office will speak with you to discuss the details of your case.
Discovery
What we need to help prepare your case. We will collect information relevant to your case during the "discovery" phase. You may be asked to give a deposition. But your lawyer will be with you.
Resolution
The different ways your case can be finalized. If appropriate, we'll meet with the plaintiff's lawyer to discuss the possibility of settlement. Each case is different. Most do not go to trial and are settled or dismissed.
Glossary
- Discovery
When attorneys learn about their client's case and the other side's case by examining all of the relevant documents, photos, emails, etc. - Deposition
A meeting with your attorney in front of a court reporter where you will give your testimony under oath administered by a court reporter. - Mediation
A meeting before an independent third party who attempts to work out a settlement between the parties. If the case does not settle, it continues through the court system. - Arbitration
Both sides present their case and the arbitrator decides who wins. The arbitration decision may be final, or one party may reject the decision, letting the case proceed through the court system until there is a resolution.
Staff counsel attorneys
Here's the team of attorneys available to defend you.
Marcus A. Blackwell
Lead Counsel
University of Michigan, B.A.
University of Texas, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 678-296-8623
Wendy S. Heiman
Lead Counsel
University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
Mercer University, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 478-207-4595
Leah Abbasi
Attorney at Law
Emory Law School, B.A.
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 678-602-0895
Ana Helena Allen
Attorney at Law
University of NC at Asheville, B.A.
Hamline University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 470-353-8712
Maranda Andrews
Attorney at Law
Lagrange College, B.A.
Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 678-938-9873
Laura Blake
Attorney at Law
University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 470-637-9815
Tana Brackin
Attorney at Law
Troy University, B.A.
Georgia State University, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 770-989-5936
Mobile: 404-697-2773
Rory S. Chadwick
Attorney at Law
Georgia Southern University, B.A.
Arizona State University, J.D.
Practice Location: Savannah, GA
Email me
Phone: 912-553-9512
Jada Clayton-Woods
Attorney at Law
University of Dayton, B.A.
Georgia State University, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-263-4657
Craig N. Cowart
Attorney at Law
University of Georgia, B.B.A.
University of Georgia School of Law, J.D. cum laude
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 478-262-8241
Katrina A. Croom
Attorney at Law
Mercer University, B.A.
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-353-5052
Danielle Douglas
Attorney at Law
North Carolina A&T State University, B.A.
North Carolina Central University, M.A.
Atlanta John Marshall Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 678-216-2815
Kristen N. Guidry
Attorney at Law
Tulane University, School of Engineering, B.S.
Louisiana State University, Law Center, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-360-7887
Rhonda Hill
Attorney at Law
Georgia State University, B.A.
Georgia State University, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 470-448-8038
Kenya Jackson
Attorney at Law
University of Georgia, B. A..
Georgia State University, M.P.A.
John Marshall Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 470-991-5102
Parrie Johnson
Attorney at Law
Agnes Scott College, B. A..
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 678-201-4537
Deanna Jones
Attorney at Law
North Carolina A&T State University, B.A.
Temple University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-234-2489
Keysha Knights
Attorney at Law
Valdosta State University, B.A.
Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 470-302-0754
Caroline Kuruvilla
Attorney at Law
University of Georgia, B.A.
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-219-9670
Sakeena Leben-Yearwood
Attorney at Law
Valdosta State University, B.A.
University of Georgia Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-538-1812
Ashlee Lewis
Attorney at Law
North Carolina Central University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Macon, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-345-8206
Cameil Reddick
Attorney at Law
University of Maryland, B.S.
John Marshall Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 470-216-3550
Lindsay Reese
Attorney at Law
University of Georgia, B.A.
University of Georgia Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-436-3179
Sierra Luckey Rhodes
Attorney at Law
Rollins College, B.A.
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 678-231-4419
Mahi Senthilkumar
Attorney at Law
University of Chicago, B.A.
Emory Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-245-5870
Ammee M. Smith
Attorney at Law
Virginia State University, B.A.
North Carolina Central University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 470-893-4638
Jessica M. Sully
Attorney at Law
Azusa Pacific University, B.A.
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-219-9310
LaShawn Terry
Attorney at Law
Emory University, B.A.
Georgia State University, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 770-598-2307
Alexis Tucker
Attorney at Law
Valdosta State University, B.S.
Florida A&M University College of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 470-351-0773
Naporsha Valentine
Attorney at Law
University of Central Arkansas, B.A.
University of Arkansas William H. Bowen School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 706-416-1916
David W. Wallace
Attorney at Law
Georgia Southern University, B.S.
Mercer University, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 678-296-3493
Erica Williams
Attorney at Law
Southern University at New Orleans, B.S.
Southern University Law Center, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 678-428-8333
Ruolin Fiona Zhu
Attorney at Law
Beijing Foreign Studies University, B.S.
Emory University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Atlanta, GA
Email me
Phone: 404-713-8926
Support staff
Administrative assistants and paralegals work closely with staff attorneys. Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other issues you may have.
Main Number: 770-989-5900
Toll-Free: 877-227-5070
Fax: 866-298-5910
Frequently asked questions
Do you have some general questions? Our FAQs might help. But if you don't find your answers below, feel free to contact our office. Your attorney and the attorney's support staff will be happy to assist you.
Throughout the litigation, you may be required to: answer written questions called interrogatories, give oral testimony under oath at a recorded proceeding called a deposition, and testify at an arbitration hearing and/or a trial. We will give you as much notice as possible of events requiring your presence. To do so, it is extremely important you notify us of all changes to your address, telephone numbers (home, business, mobile), and email address.
Although each case is different, the average lifespan of a case is about one to two years. If your case is one of the few that goes to trial, this time frame may be doubled.
Do not discuss this case with anyone except a representative of your insurance company or the staff of this office. Contact this office if you receive any communication regarding this case from anyone other than a representative of your insurance company or this office.
Our role is to defend the claim that has been filed against you. We do not represent you on a claim that you might want to file against anyone else. If you feel that you may have such a claim, you should contact your personal attorney immediately, at your own expense, or pursue such a claim on your own. There are strict time limitations on actions for damages. Any claim that is not brought within the time limitation may be lost forever.
You must avoid using a workplace device (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.) or any system (for example: a public library computer) where others are able to read information sent to or by you. Communications between you and your legal team can only be kept confidential if they are not disclosed to third parties. If you use a company owned device and your employer has a policy reserving the right to access employees' email correspondence sent using company devices, you may lose the right to keep these communications confidential.
Your legal team may email forms for you to complete and return. If you provide information (including any attachments) that contains personal information such as someone's name and address, social security number, date of birth and/or personal health information, you should respond by U.S. mail. If, however, you do use email containing personal information, the email (including attachments) must be encrypted, password protected and the password shared with your legal team in a separate and confidential communication to better protect the information from being viewable by unintended persons.
Keeping in mind the above precautions, you can email the firm or individual members of your legal team at the addresses provided on this website.
No. Do not communicate with others about this case on the internet in any forum.
It's crucial that we always have your current address, telephone numbers, and email address. If you move or will not be accessible for an extended period of time using the contact information we have for you, please let us know as soon as possible and give us your new or temporary contact information.
Also, we need your responses to the questionnaire that we enclosed with our letter of representation.
Contact
Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other issues you may have.
Law Offices of Marcus A. Blackwell
3200 Windy Hill RD SE
Suite 1525E
Atlanta, GA 30339-8554
Main Number: 770-989-5900
Toll-Free: 877-227-5070
Fax: 866-298-5910
Toll free: 1-888-316-3861
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