"WWHGD has quickly become a go-to firm for high stakes MARTA litigation. They are widely known for their willingness to take problem cases to trial if necessary. I highly recommend them based on expertise, collegiality, and cost-effectiveness.
BEST LAWYERS® | LITIGATION"Our work with Brannon of Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial was what you dream of with legal representation - expertise, effective communication, responsiveness, and a willingness to educate our team every step in the process."
JUSTIN JORDAN, SVP AND COO, ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS | PRODUCT LIABILITY
Overview
Brannon’s practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on product liability, catastrophic injury and professional liability. Admitted to practice in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, Brannon has represented a broad range of clients in cases involving serious injury and wrongful death across the country. Her clients include manufacturers and sellers of heavy equipment, component parts, consumer products, medical devices and automotive equipment, as well as trucking companies, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities and professionals in the construction industry.
As a trial lawyer, Brannon works to successfully resolve difficult issues and develop creative solutions for her clients both inside and outside the courtroom. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers® as part of the Georgia “Rising Star” and "Super Lawyers" lists consecutively for over a decade. Brannon has tried multiple cases to verdict for her clients, two of which were on behalf of a global agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer that Brannon has helped successfully defend in numerous cases across the country. Most recently, she obtained a defense verdict as lead trial counsel on behalf of a trucking company in a case arising out of a deadly tractor trailer accident.
Brannon is actively involved in professional organizations on both a local and national level. She is a founding member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (“GDLA”) Women’s Litigators section for which she serves as Marketing Chair. She is also a faculty member of the GDLA’s Trial & Mediation Academy which is held each year and aims to help defense lawyers become more accomplished and successful at trial or in mediation. In addition, Brannon co-founded the Atlanta Chapter of Ellevate Network, a global women’s networking organization focused on investing in women both professionally and personally. As co-president, she helped build the Atlanta Chapter into one of the most thriving chapters within the network. On a national level, Brannon is actively involved with the Defense Research Institute (“DRI”) where she most recently served on the Product Liability Steering Committee as Panel Counsel Chair for the 2022 Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this role, she was responsible for coordinating with in-house counsel to schedule panel counsel meetings in conjunction with the conference. She currently serves as Networking Vice Chair for the 2023 Conference in Austin, Texas.
Education & Admissions
Education
University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2008
- Phi Delta Phi
University of South Carolina, B.A., magna cum laude, 2005
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors College
Admissions
Florida
Georgia
South Carolina
Georgia Court of Appeals
Georgia Supreme Court
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Representative Experience
- Obtained defense verdict as lead trial counsel on behalf of trucking company in case arising out of deadly tractor trailer accident.
- Obtained defense verdict on behalf of tractor manufacturer in a wrongful death case alleging claims of defective design and failure to warn.
- Obtained summary judgment on a design-builder’s claims against WWHGD construction consultant client in excess of $60 million. In addition, South Carolina Court of Common Pleas denied design-builder’s Motion to Vacate.
- Obtained defense award in two different arbitrations on behalf of the nation’s largest automotive retailer faced with claims for breach of contract, bad faith, fraud and violation of Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act.
- Currently defending street sweeper manufacturer in two wrongful death cases alleging defective product design and warnings.
- Currently defending multinational technology company in a products case involving a lithium battery that exploded causing personal injury.
- Currently defending national pest control company in multiple personal injury cases arising out of motor vehicle accidents.
- Currently assisting in the defense of global supplier of automotive systems, modules, and components in wrongful death case alleging defective occupant restraint system.
- Currently defending public transit operator in wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims.
- Currently defending Georgia senior living communities against allegations of abuse and neglect.
- Assisted in the defense of lift truck manufacturer and dealer in multiple cases alleging design and manufacturing defects.
- Assisted in the defense of global technology company against claims of vicarious liability and negligent hiring, training and supervision in multiple personal injury cases arising out of deadly motor vehicle accident.
- Assisted in defense of nationally-known trucking company in multi-death accident involving more than 20 other vehicles.
- Assisted in the defense of two Korean tire manufacturers in cases alleging design and manufacturing defects and failure to warn.
- Assisted in defense of global architectural firm against claims arising out of the design and construction of a new 860-room army lodge facility.
- Assisted in defense of wrongful death case alleging that negligent design of roadway caused deadly traffic accident.
- Assisted in defense of driver and employer in catastrophic bus rollover accident resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries.
- Assisted in defense of nationally known medical device manufacturer against claims of design defect and failure to warn regarding spinal cord stimulator, stent and vaginal mesh products.
- Assisted in defense of nationally known truck rental company against claims arising from motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls and rental agreements.
Recent Wins
- Summary Judgment$60M
- Construction
South CarolinaA design-builder brought claims of $60M+ against a WWHGD client. After 3+ years, the arbitration panel granted summary judgment to firm's client on all but one minor claim, which was later voluntarily dismissed.
- Defense Verdict$3.5M
- Catastrophic Injury
GeorgiaWWHGD secured a defense verdict in a trucking case which resulted in the death of one motorist and severe injuries of another.
Practices & Industries
Awards & Recognition
ALM, Georgia Legal Awards, On the Rise, 2022
The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2024 - 2025
The Best Lawyers in America®, Health Care Law, 2022 - 2025
The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation, Health Care, 2024 - 2025
The Best Lawyers in America®, Personal Injury Litigation, Defendants, 2021 - 2025
The Best Lawyers in America®, Product Liability Litigation, Defendants, 2021 - 2025
Super Lawyers®, Georgia Super Lawyers, Personal Injury, Products: Defense, 2024
Super Lawyers®, Georgia Rising Stars List, Personal Injury, Products: Defense, 2013-2023
News & Publications
- Association of Corporate Counsel Docket
- Risk & Insurance
- ACC Georgia Newsletter
- Law 360
- WWHGD Firm News
- ACC Georgia Newletter
- Bloomberg Law
- Daily Report
- Inside Medical Liability
- McKnight's"Arbitration Agreement Case in Georgia: What to Understand."
- Lexis Nexis
Events & Speaking Engagements
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Las Vegas, NV
- New Orleans, LA“U Can’t Touch This: Challenges in Autonomous Equipment."
- Atlanta, GA“The #MeToo Backlash, Violence in the Workplace and Other L&E Hot Topics.”
- Atlanta, GA“Combating the 'Rambo' Litigator."
- Atlanta, GA“Banter, Business and Better Relationships.”
- Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta, GA“Navigating Litigation Landmines.”
- New Orleans, LA"Combating the 'Rambo' Litigator- Learn How to Defeat Lawyers Who Employ Dirty Litigation Tactics to Win at Any Cost."
Professional & Community Activities
Defense Research Institute, Networking Vice Chair for the 2023 Product Liability Conference
Defense Research Institute, Panel Counsel Chair for the 2022 Product Liability Conference; Panel Counsel Vice Chair for the 2021 Product Liability Conference; Vice Chair of Marketing for the 2019 Product Liability Conference
Defense Research Institute, Chair of Marketing for the 2020 Product Liability Conference
Ellevate Network, Founding Member and Former President of Atlanta Chapter
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, Member
Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, Board Member and Frequent Speaker
Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, Women's Litigators Section, Faculty Member of Trial & Mediation Academy
Lawyers Club of Atlanta, Member
OnBoard, Member
Women Litigators Section of Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, Founding Member