Your Legal Team

IN MEMORIAM: SAMUEL  "SAM" 2/5/2001-5/14/2015)

Samuel "Sam", Mr. Villanueva's faithful and loyal dog of 14 years ended his long fight with cancer. Sam would often accompany Mr. Villanueva to the office and keep watch over him during the long nights working on complex cases. Sam would also go with Mr. Villanueva to court as well as travel to military bases with Mr. Villanueva during his reserve drill weekends. Sam enjoyed watching sports, playing with other children and dogs and fishing with his "Dad" on the lake. Sam was loved by all who knew him and will be missed dearly. Sam is currently buried at Oakrest Pet Cemetary in Bethlehem, Georgia. 

LEGAL STAFF CONTACT:

Ariel Blair, Receptionist

Sam Smith, Legal Assistant

Grace Ward, Paralegal 

Phone: 770-220-0818

Fax:      770-220-0814

ATTORNEYS:

WINN KEATHLEY, ESQ. Of Counsel

JD, Georgia State University School of Law 

SUSAN GANTT, ESQ Of Counsel

JD, Nova Southeastern University

DERICK C. VILLANUEVA, ESQ. Principal Attorney and Owner 

JD/MA, Syracuse University College of Law 

Biography/Education: 

Born: 1977 Agana, Guam (US Naval Base), Education: Emory University Magna Cum Laude Political Science and Economics 2000, JD, Syracuse University College of Law 2003 , Executive Editor Syracuse Law and Technology Journal, MA in Economics Syracuse University, 

Military Decorations: National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy and Marine Achievement Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Medal, NATO Non-Article5 Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Reserve Medal, Navy and Marine Overseas Medal, Joint Meritorius Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal. 

Areas of Practice

• Automobile Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Trucking Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Dog Bites
• Slip and Fall
• Consumer and Business Bankruptcy
• Simple Wills/Estate Planning
• General Civil Matters

Pro Bono/Community Service

• Georgia Legal Services Program
• Wounded Warrior Project  
• Furkids​​
• Gwinnett County Police Department
• National Police and Troopers Association
• University of Georgia Veterinarian School
• National Association of Disabled Veterans
• American Veterans Foundation
• National Veterans Legal Services Program
• Atlanta Children's Hospital
• Atlanta Community Food Bank
• Alzheimer's Association

​Memberships and Associations

• Military/Veterans Section, Georgia State Bar
• Veterans of Foreign Wars, Member at Large
• The American Legion, Member Post 1 Atlanta
• Gwinnett County Bar Association
• Georgia Hispanic Bar Association
• Blue Ridge Bar Association

Awards and Accolades

• AVVO Rating: Superb
• Martindale Hubble and Lawyers.Com Client Distinction Award
• The National Association of Distinguished Counsel Top One Percent
• Super Lawyers Georgia Rising Stars 2016, 2017 
• Top 40 Under 40 American Society of Legal Advocates 2016, 2017
• Top 10 Under 40, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 2016, 2017
• Top 10 Under 40, National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys 2017

Attorney Villanueva graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Political Science and a Minor in Economics from Emory University in 2000 and then attended Syracuse University where he obtained both his Juris Doctor in Law and his Masters in Economics in 2003. Attorney Villanueva was a former judicial clerk to the Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to opening his law practice in 2007, Attorney Villanueva worked for a mid-sized law firm in Atlanta, Georgia as well as some notable mortgage companies in the real estate finance industry. 

Attorney Villanuvea served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy Reserve and served in Afghanistan, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Korea in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (Middle East), Ulchi-Freedom Guardian (Korea) and Operation Resolute Support (Afghanistan) respectively. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Navy and Marine Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, NATO Medal, the Navy Expert Pistol and Navy Marksman Rifle Medals.  In addition to his overseas deployments, Mr. Villanueva has served at Dobbins Air Base Atlanta, Georgia, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, Navy Base Newport, Rhode Island, Ft. Bliss, Texas, Ft. Wood, Missouri and Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. Mr. Villanueva was previously assigned to the USS Mt. Whitney (LCC 20). 

Aside from practicing law, Attorney Villanueva is heavily involved with supporting our military veterans through his membership with the Military/Veterans Section of the State Bar of Georgia, The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as other local non-profit organizations. In his spare time, Mr. Villanueva enjoys fitness, traveling, boating and running.

Tam