Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Georgia since: 2009
Education: Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2020 - 2023 Details
Attorney Michael E. Mayo is a partner with the Mayo | Hill law firm in Macon, Georgia. A top-rated trial attorney with more than 10 years of legal experience, Mr. Mayo represents the rights and entitlements of clients across the state who suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to the negligent, careless or unlawful actions of others. Throughout the course of his career, he has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and awards for those with legal claims against trucking companies, insurance companies, financial institutions and medical providers.
Early in his career, Mr. Mayo worked as an insurance defense attorney, so he has invaluable insight into the industry and the tactics insurance providers use to deny claims to those in need. Armed with this experience, he is able to better address his clients' needs and devise the most effective strategies possible to help them secure the full amount of compensation they deserve. Along with maintaining a successful trial practice, Mr. Mayo is equally effective in mediation and arbitration, and he has successfully handled numerous appeals.
Recognized for his efforts, Mr. Mayo has earned recognition by the Daily Report as one of 20 lawyers "On the Rise" in the State of Georgia, a Top 40 Under 40 designation from The National Trial Lawyers, along with a multitude of other accolades from his peers. He has also received high peer review ratings from Martindale-Hubbell as well as "Excellent" client ratings on Avvo.
A 2006 magna cum laude graduate of Mercer University, Mr. Mayo returned to his alma mater and obtained his Juris Doctor from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law in 2009. While there, he received the Woodruff Scholarship (top scholarship) and graduated with dean's list honors. Since entering private practice, he has proven himself a leader in his field, and he has conducted numerous continuing legal education seminars across his region along with serving on the adjunct faculty at Mercer University, facilitating classes on political science and American government.
An active member of his legal community, Mr. Mayo served as President of the William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court, which promotes ethics and professionalism among the local bench and bar. Among his other professional associations, he has annually served as Host and Chair of the Macon Bar Association Golf Tournament aimed at encouraging closer relationships and civility between attorneys in the area.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Personal Injury - Plaintiff
- 50% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
- 50% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2009, Georgia
Professional Webpage: https://mayohill.law/michael-e-mayo/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2021
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2021
- Voted Best Law Firm in Macon Telegraph's Best of Middle Georgia, 2022
- Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers, 2022
- Voted Best Law Practice in the Macon Telegraph's Best of the Best, 2021
- Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers, 2021
- Daily Report "On the Rise" , 2021
- Board of Trustees - Woodfield - 5+ years serving local school dedicated to children with learning differences or difficulties, engaging other board members and staff with implementation of "nature smart" curriculum designed to assist target students with adjustment to learning environment, assist with renovation of current school premises, and taking steps to make Woodfield an exemplar for others schools seeking to make a similar impact., 2021
- Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Medical Malpractice, 2020
- President, William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court - The largest of all the American Inns of Court, which inspire the legal community to advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education, and mentoring. The vision is to create a legal profession and judiciary dedicated to professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence., 2020
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, 2020
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- Vice President, William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court - The largest of all the American Inns of Court, which inspire the legal community to advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education, and mentoring. The vision is to create a legal profession and judiciary dedicated to professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence., 2019
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Chairman, Macon Bar Association Annual Golf Tournament - Develop, plan, and coordinate large golf tournament and activities day for the Macon Bar Association, which has been well attended for several years. As Chairman since 2017, Mr. Mayo has explored ways to increase sponsorship and engagement from the community and successfully leading to increased turnout and enjoyment., 2019
- Adjunct Professor - Mercer University - Introduction to American Government, since 2018 serving alma mater following invitation from department head, classes held after close of law firm business., 2019
- Woodruff Scholar - Walter F. George School of Law - Return each year to participate in activities surrounding selection and recognition of Mercer Law's top incoming scholar. Received honor while attending in 2006-2009., 2019
- Continuing Legal Education Presenter: Pro Se Litigants in the Civil Arena (Gate City Bar Association), 2018
- Volunteerism - Walter F. George School of Law - Consistently engaged in local law school community, serves on Woodruff Scholarship (Top Scholar) selection committee, frequent guest speaker for recruitment, judges first year mock trial finals, and many other activities., 2019
- Volunteerism - Macon Bar Association - Heavily involved in opportunities to give back to the community to include Mock Trial jury/judge service, guest speaking, attending Macon Bar Association Executive Committee meetings, etc., 2019
- Pupilage Group Leader, William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court, 2016
- Barrister, William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court, 2013
- Member, State Bar of Georgia, 2009
- Member, Macon Bar Association, 2009
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- $1,000,000 partial settlement of medical malpractice claim, 2023
- $9.6 Million - Whistleblower Judgment, 2022
- Successful resolved multi-million dollar business dissolution involving various business tort claims., 2022
- $200,000 - Motor Vehicle Collision, 2022
- Successfully defeated County's Motion to Dismiss Zoning Appeal for project valued over $300 Million. Separately received award of attorney's fees against County for putting forth defenses lacking substantial justification pursuant to Section 9-15-14, 2021
- Successfully defeated $16,000,000 claim in medical billing case, earned settlement award of $100,000 on counterclaim, 2021
- $100,000 - Motor vehicle collision, 2021
- $1,000,000 - Settlement negligent security, 2020
- $50,000 - Partial Settlement of motor vehicle collision injury, additional work on Uninsured Motorist coverage continues, 2020
- $330,000 - Settlement of motor vehicle collision involving broken ribs, 2020
- $1,600,000 Trial verdict protected through appellate process. 100% recovery involving breach of trust and tort claims. Phillips v. Phillips, Civil Action No 2013V-0349Superior Court of Bleckley County (2015); confirmed by Georgia Court of Appeals in Appeal No. A15D0448 (2015). Judgment satisfied through complex set of garnishment actions against brokerage firms and retirement accounts., 2015
- $500,000 - Settlement in medical malpractice case involving negligence and failure to diagnose, 2020
- $1,487,000 - Combined settlement and judgment of commercial dispute requiring complex litigation strategies, depositions, and alternative dispute resolution. SPP Investments, LLC v. Kimco Facilities Svcs, et al, Civil Action No. 17-CV-67432, Superior Court of Bibb County., 2018
- $1,250,000 - Settlement of policy limits in fatal vehicle collision, Scott v. Schmitz, Civil Action No 87362, State Court of Bibb County (2018), 2018
- $500,000 - Medical Malpractice settlement related to improper management of patient's airway; Collier v. Phoebe Putney Memorial Hosp., Civil Action NO SU-18-CV-3142, Superior Court of Muscogee County, 2019
- $300,000 Settlement of serious injuries in trucking case. Kelsay v. Chappell, LCJ Trucking, Gregory Johnson; Case settled in pursuit mediation., 2016
- $238,000 Jury Verdict for breach of fiduciary duty. Jury awarded all damages, plus attorney's fees/expenses. George v. Wagner, Civil Case No 14103225, Superior Court of Cobb County , 2016
- $200,000 - Settlement of Medicare fraud allegations between medical providers, Sai Rehab, Inc. v. Beacon Health Management, LLC, Civil Action No 87839, State Court of Bibb County, 2019
- Defense Verdict (Jury): Lawyer represented insured defendant in case stemming from motor vehicle collision. Facts of case included rear-end collision. Jury found Plaintiff's injuries unrelated to motor vehicle collision in question. Gunnell v. Rawlings, Civil Court of Bibb County, 2016
- Summary Judgment Case affirmed by Court of Appeals. Case involved defense of company in multi-million dollar action. Extremely document intensive. TNT Pawn, LLC v. Ga Asphalt, Inc., Civil Action No. 79589 State Court of Bibb County; affirmed by Court of Appeals in Appeal No. A15A0810, 2015
Videos:
- Video shows Court of Appeals oral argument on behalf of Appellant regarding lawsuit for intentional torts derived from constitutional violations and deprivation of rights under application for special use permit., Oral Argument, Court of Appeals, 2019
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Board of Trustees - Woodfield, 2023
- Presenter for Mercer University School of Law "Life of Lawyering" as mentor to first-year students., 2023
- Board of Trustees - Woodfield Academy, 2022
- Continued assistance with Middle Georgia Access to Justice, 2022
- Board of Trustees - Woodfield Academy, 2021
- Volunteer as Mock Trial judge for finals of Mercer Law First Year competition., 2019
- Served as a member of the Justice Brigade for Middle Georgia Justice - Pro Bono service to assist clients in need of legal representation but without sufficient resources, 2020
- Board of Trustees - Woodfield - 4+ years serving local school dedicated to children with learning differences or difficulties, engaging other board members and staff with implementation of "nature smart" curriculum designed to assist target students with adjustment to learning environment, assist with renovation of current school premises, and taking steps to make Woodfield an exemplar for others schools seeking to make a similar impact., 2020
Honors/Awards:
- Invited to evaluate the applicants for the Georgia Legal Award's "On the Rise" category. Selected winners based on application process., Attorney Judge for Daily Report's On the Rise Category, Everett Catts, Editor of the Daily Report, 2022
- Invited to evaluate applicants for the Georgia Legal Awards "On the Rise" category. Select winners based on application process., Attorney Judge for Daily Report's On the Rise Category, Everett Catts, Editor of the Daily Report, 2023
- Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers, https://thenationaltriallawyers.org/profile-view/Michael/Mayo/18629/, 2022
- On the Rise - Under 40, https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2021/07/12/georgia-legal-awards-honorees-including-attorney-of-the-year-finalists-announced/?kw=Georgia%20Legal%20Awards%20Honorees%26mdash%3BIncluding%20Attorney%20of%20the%20Year%20Finalists%26mdash%3BAnnounced&, 2021
- 2018-2019 The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 is a professional organization comprised of America’s top young trial attorneys. Membership into The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 is by invitation only, and is extended exclusively to those individuals who meet stringent qualifications and specialize in the legal practice of criminal defense or civil plaintiff., Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, https://www.thenationaltriallawyers.org/profile-view/Michael/Mayo/18629/, 2019
- Recognized on home page of Mid Georgia Access to Justice and at annual banquet as premier leader of the Justice Brigade, receiving Silver Star designation., Recognized Member of the Justice Brigade for Mid Georgia Access to Justice, https://www.facebook.com/mgajustice/posts/821967188244229, 2020
- Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations, Super Lawyers - Rising Star, Medical Malpractice, https://www.thenationaltriallawyers.org/profile-view/Michael/Mayo/18629/, 2019
- 2019-2020The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 is a professional organization comprised of America’s top young trial attorneys. Membership into The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 is by invitation only, and is extended exclusively to those individuals who meet stringent qualifications and specialize in the legal practice of criminal defense or civil plaintiff., National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, https://www.thenationaltriallawyers.org/profile-view/Michael/Mayo/18629/, 2020
- Top scholarship offered for incoming students at Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law. Scholarship based on prior academic performance, writing submission, and extensive interview process. Honor carried forward with demonstration of academic excellence. Past scholars continue work with present and future scholars as part of mentor program., Woodruff Scholar, Mercer University, 2006
Educational Background:
- Walter F. George School of Law - Mercer University (Juris Doctor, 2009), 2009
- Mercer University (BA Political Science, magna cum laude), 2006
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Returned by invitation to Alma Mater, Mercer University, to teach Introduction to American Government during semesters where schedule allows., Adjunct Professor, Introduction to American Government, 2019
- During the Pandemic, hosted a series of lectures and interviews with prominent attorneys and judges to help the legal community adapt to the changing circumstances and judicial state of emergency brought on by the Pandemic., Presenter, The Times They are A-Changin, YouTube - Bootle Inn Macon, Law, 2021
- Invited to speak at Walter F. George School of Law regarding the maturation and evolution of a lawyer from beginning studies, through the large firm, and into self-employment., Guest Speaker, The Evolution of a Lawyer, 2018
- Invited to speak before the Gate City Bar Association for Continuing Legal Education., Lecturer, Pro Se Litigants in the Civil Arena, 2017
- Invited to speak to Mercer University students regarding the daily life and trials of the modern day attorney., Guest Speaker, Life of a Lawyer, 2016
Selections
2 Years Super Lawyers
4 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2020 - 2023
