Martin A. Levinson
Martin Levinson is an associate in the Atlanta office of Hawkins Parnell Thackston & Young LLP. Martin represents businesses and individuals in various types of liability defense and litigation, including premises liability, product liability, trucking and transportation law, and insurance and bad faith litigation. Martin handles matters in all phases of the litigation process, including advising clients on litigation avoidance, pre-suit liability and/or coverage analysis, handling matters in active litigation, mediation and settlement, trial, and appeals. In every case, Martin’s primary focus is obtaining the best possible result for his client.
Professional Experience
Business Litigation
Martin represents and advises businesses in various types of litigation, including contract disputes, indemnity claims, major property damage claims, employment discrimination claims, and general liability matters.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of client in business dispute alleging conversion of over $400,000 in merchandise
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of major textile manufacturer in wrongful death/contractual indemnity case
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of employment agency in employment discrimination lawsuit brought by former employee
- Defeated summary judgment in suit brought on behalf of real estate developer for fraud and misrepresentation by seller in commercial land transaction
Premises Liability
Martin vigorously defends businesses and individuals in all manner of premises liability litigation, including slip-and-fall cases, negligent security cases, claims for third-party criminal conduct, and claims alleging false imprisonment.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of occupier of property, and successfully defended same on appeal, in suit where worker sued to recover for paraplegia and other injuries allegedly resulting from worker's fall from ladder
- Obtained dismissal of wrongful death action in which plaintiff sought to recover for accidental shooting death of plaintiff's son on defendant's property
- Obtained dismissal of premises liability action against proprietor of medical facility for alleged liability pertaining to handicapped access ramp
Product Liability
Martin represents businesses in cases alleging the manufacture and/or sale of defective products.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of commercial equipment broker in suit brought by major chewing gum manufacturer alleging defect in piece of commercial equipment and claiming over $1,000,000 in damages
Bad Faith and Coverage Liability
Martin analyzes, evaluates, and advises clients on issues relating to insurance coverage disputes and bad faith, including representing insurance carriers in declaratory judgment and bad faith actions.
- Greatly limited insurer's potential liability and eliminated any potential for bad faith claim by settling coverage matter in case involving multi-million dollar potential liability across several insurance policies for a fraction of total policy limits
- Obtained dismissal of bad faith action against insurer seeking remuneration for total fire loss to alleged insured's house
- Advised numerous insurers on applicability of various policy coverages and exclusions in policies of all types, including commercial general liability (CGL) policies, special-purpose business liability policies, homeowner's policies, personal and commercial automobile insurance policies, and umbrella insurance policies
Transportation
Martin advises and represents trucking and transportation companies in commercial disputes and personal injury lawsuits, including cases involving severe injury, alleged wrongful death, and claims for punitive damages.
- Obtained favorable settlement for motor carrier in suit involving serious injuries, alleged failure to properly maintain carrier's commercial vehicles, and multiple alleged violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)
- Obtained favorable settlements for non-emergency medical transport carriers in cases alleging serious injury resulting from failure to properly assist disabled passengers and/or to install appropriate restraints for wheelchair-bound patients.
Professional affiliations
- State Bar of Georgia
- Atlanta Bar Association
- DeKalb Bar Association
- Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (GDLA)
- Vice Chair, Premises Liability Section (2011-present)
- Defense Research Institute
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
Trials
Practice areas
Education
J.D., University of Georgia School of Law, cum laude, 2004
- Editorial Board, Journal of Intellectual Property Law
- Prosecutorial Clinic (Office of the Solicitor-General, Gwinnett County)
- Senator, Student Bar Association
B.A., University of Georgia, 2001
Bar admissions
- Georgia
Courts
- All Georgia State and Superior Courts
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Court of Appeals of Georgia
- United States District Court (Northern District of Georgia)
- United States District Court (Middle District of Georgia)