The Law Firm of Tom B. Kirkbride, PC.

09/01/2026

YOUR CAREER. YOUR BADGE. YOUR POST CERTIFICATION.

If you are a Georgia public safety officer facing an internal investigation, disciplinary action, or a matter that could affect your Georgia POST certification, the decisions you make early in the process can have lasting consequences.

An allegation alone can jeopardize a career, a reputation, and years of dedicated service before the facts are ever fully examined.

You may only get one meaningful opportunity to protect your POST certification. Experience counts.

Attorney Tom Kirkbride brings decades of law enforcement experience together with legal experience representing public safety professionals in administrative, disciplinary, and Georgia POST matters.

When your livelihood, certification, reputation, and professional future are at stake, experienced representation matters.

Concerned about your POST certification? Call Attorney Tom Kirkbride. 404-800-8080

Protect the career you spent years building.

Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each matter depends upon its individual facts and circumstances.

08/26/2026

If you are in an accident, look for a lawyer, not a LAW FIRM that has your best interest at heart. All the TV & radio ad’s the billboards, the marketing who pays for that?….. YOU DO! If you are injured and want to talk about your options, call me Tom (404) 800-8080 no pressure just conversation, you decide who to hire.

Robert Wyrosdick accused law firm Morgan & Morgan of settling his lawsuit for $45,000 without his permission. He won $4.3 million in his legal malpractice fight.

08/18/2026

ENTRY LEVEL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Full Time | South Metro Atlanta
The Law Firm of Tom Kirkbride, P.C. is seeking a motivated entry level attorney to join its criminal defense practice on a full time basis.
This position is well suited for a newly admitted attorney or recent law school graduate seeking substantial, hands on courtroom experience and the opportunity to develop as a criminal defense trial attorney.
Position Responsibilities
The attorney will assist with and ultimately assume primary responsibility for a criminal caseload that may include:
Misdemeanor and felony criminal defense
DUI and other serious traffic offenses
Municipal and State Court matters
Probation and revocation proceedings
Bond hearings and preliminary hearings
Motions practice and evidentiary hearings
Client consultations and case evaluations
Plea negotiations and case resolution
Trial preparation and courtroom appearances
The majority of the firm's work is located on the Southside of Metropolitan Atlanta, including Fayette, Clayton, Henry, Coweta and surrounding counties. The position, however, requires the ability and willingness to appear in courts throughout metropolitan Atlanta and, when necessary, other areas of Georgia.
Qualifications
Applicants should:
Hold a J.D. from an accredited law school
Be admitted to the State Bar of Georgia, or be awaiting admission with eligibility to practice upon admission
Have a strong interest in criminal defense and courtroom advocacy
Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
Be capable of working independently while accepting supervision and mentoring
Demonstrate sound professional judgment and strong ethical standards
Be organized and capable of managing multiple cases, court appearances and deadlines
Have reliable transportation and be willing to travel to courts throughout Georgia as required
Prior criminal law, prosecution, public defender, judicial clerkship, law enforcement, military, or courtroom experience is beneficial but not required.
What We Offer
This position provides an opportunity for meaningful courtroom experience rather than exclusively research or administrative work. The successful candidate will work directly with experienced counsel, interact with clients, negotiate with prosecutors, appear before judges, prepare motions and develop the practical skills necessary to become an effective criminal defense attorney.
Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application
Qualified applicants should submit a resume and salary expectations to:
[email protected]
Please include “Entry Level Criminal Defense Attorney” in the subject line.
The Law Firm of Tom Kirkbride, P.C.
South Metro Atlanta, Georgia

Call now to connect with business.

08/02/2026

Some requests are more personal than others.

If you know Steven Sweatt, then you already know the kind of man he is. He has dedicated his life to serving others with integrity, humility, and honor. He is one of the finest lawmen I have had the privilege of knowing.

Just two weeks after saving his wife Heidi's life during her heart attack, Steven suffered a devastating stroke of his own. Their family now faces a long and difficult road to recovery.
I have known Steven for many years, and this one truly hurts.
If you are able, please consider making a donation. No amount is too small, and every contribution will help with medical expenses, recovery, and family needs.

If you cannot give financially, I ask that you do something just as important: please keep Steven, Heidi, their family, and their medical team in your prayers.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, compassion, and prayers. Together, we can help carry this family through one of the most difficult times of their lives.

Please consider donating, sharing this post, and keeping the Sweatt family in your prayers. ❤️🙏

07/22/2026

Distractions are everywhere! An accident can happen in less than a second! If you are hurt in an accident, call for a no-cost consultation (404) 800-8080

07/03/2026

On the eve of our 250th anniversary of this great country, I’m worried, this is an ominous observation from a man with more years behind me than in-front of me.

Many Americans believe our nation is changing in ways that should concern every citizen. Whether those changes are viewed as progress or decline depends on one’s perspective, but history teaches that freedom is rarely lost all at once. More often, it is surrendered gradually through a series of small compromises.

Reminder of what Khrushchev said 60 years ago...."Your children's children will live under communism. You Americans are so gullible. No, you won't accept communism outright; but, we will keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you will finally wake up and find you already have Communism. We will not have to fight you. We will so weaken your economy, until you will fall like overripe fruit into our hands. The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not" It was September 29, 1959, when Nikita Khrushchev delivered his prediction for America at the United Nations. Remember the television coverage of him banging his shoe on the podium? At that time, just the word "communism" was feared throughout our nation.

Some argue that excessive government control can expand in several key areas:

1. Healthcare: As government involvement increases, concerns grow about personal choice, access, and individual autonomy.

2. Poverty: Persistent poverty can create greater dependence on government programs rather than long term economic independence.

3. National Debt: Unsustainable debt may lead to higher taxes, inflation, and fewer opportunities for future generations.

4. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms: Many believe that protecting the Second Amendment preserves an important safeguard against government overreach and protects the right of self defense.

5. Government Assistance: While safety net programs serve important purposes, critics caution that long term dependence can reduce individual opportunity and self sufficiency.

6. Education: Parents and citizens should remain engaged in what is taught in schools and encourage critical thinking rather than political indoctrination from any direction.

7. Religious Liberty: The protection of religious freedom remains a cornerstone of American constitutional principles, allowing individuals to practice their faith without government interference.

8. Economic Division: Increasing polarization between the wealthy and the poor, along with the shrinking middle class, can deepen social conflict and make constructive solutions more difficult.

Whether you agree with these concerns or not, every American should remain informed, engaged, and willing to defend the constitutional principles of liberty, limited government, individual responsibility, and equal opportunity.

The future of our republic will not be determined by one political party or one election. It will be determined by whether citizens remain vigilant, informed, and committed to preserving the freedoms that have defined America for generations.

The real question is not whether we have already arrived at a dangerous point. The question is whether we are paying enough attention to recognize challenges as they arise and whether we are willing to engage respectfully, think critically, and participate in our constitutional system before it is too late.

06/27/2026

New Ga Laws effective July 1st

July 1:

State Budget

HB 974 – Fiscal Year 2027 state budget

Funds Georgia state government and agencies for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Animals

HB 668 – Service dog protections

Increases penalties for harming or interfering with service dogs and makes it illegal to falsely claim an animal is a service dog.
Business

HB 1129 – Enterprise zone updates

Revises rules governing local enterprise zones, including tax incentives and qualification requirements.
HB 1470 – Website accessibility litigation

Creates legal remedies aimed at discouraging abusive lawsuits over website accessibility claims while encouraging businesses to correct accessibility issues.
SB 447 – Building permit transparency

Requires local governments to provide real-time online updates on the status of building permit applications.
Children & families

SB 383 – Child fatality review updates

Expands child fatality review committees and strengthens training, reporting and investigation requirements.
HB 350 – Safe Haven law expansion

Expands Georgia's Safe Haven law by allowing newborns to be safely surrendered at ambulances, public safety vehicles and approved newborn safety devices.
HB 1283 – Family Justice Centers

Authorizes Family Justice Centers that provide coordinated services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse and human trafficking, and extends evidence retention in sexual assault cases.
Consumer protection

HB 1112 – Cash rounding law

Creates rules for cash transactions if the U.S. stops using pennies. Businesses must accept exact change if offered, and sales tax must be calculated before any rounding occurs. (This only applies if pennies are discontinued.)
HB 945 – Financial fraud and cryptocurrency protections

Allows banks to freeze suspicious transactions involving elderly or disabled adults and adds new consumer protections for cryptocurrency kiosks.
Courts & Judicial System

HB 999 – Magistrate court updates

Raises the maximum amount for civil cases in Georgia magistrate courts from $15,000 to $25,000 and updates court procedures. (One section takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.)
HB 1020 – Judicial Retirement System changes

Updates retirement benefits and survivor benefit calculations for district attorneys participating in Georgia's Judicial Retirement System.
Criminal & Public Safety

SB 470 – Emergency & Public Safety Signal Protection Act

Bans the possession, sale, manufacture and use of signal jammers, with limited exceptions.
SB 542 – Clergy sexual misconduct law

Creates new criminal offenses for improper sexual contact by clergy members and establishes a 15-year statute of limitations.
SB 587 – Abuse investigations and animal cruelty

Allows courts to order the location of alleged child or elder abuse victims and creates a statewide animal cruelty database.
HB 1075 – Human trafficking penalties

Increases penalties for people previously convicted of human trafficking who commit certain sexual offenses.
SB 570 – Georgia Human Trafficking Prevention Training Act

Requires hotels, inns and short-term rental operators to provide human trafficking awareness training for employees.
HB 1097 – Caregiver background checks

Requires criminal background and registry checks for caregivers and employees at facilities serving children, older adults and people with disabilities.
SB 547 – Pimping and pandering penalties

Raises pimping and pandering offenses from misdemeanors to felonies, increasing criminal penalties.
HB 447 – Gift card fraud

Creates new felony offenses for stealing, forging or fraudulently using gift cards.
Education

HB 340 – Distraction-Free Education Act

Prohibits public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade from using personal electronic devices during the school day, with limited exceptions.
HB 651 – School-zone automated enforcement

Updates how school-zone speed cameras are enforced and allows prosecutors to pursue unpaid civil penalties generated by camera citations.
HB 1164 – State Board of Education audit committee

Requires the State Board of Education to establish an audit committee to improve oversight and accountability.
HB 1030 – Math Matters Act

Expands access to advanced math courses and updates teacher preparation requirements for math instruction.
HB 1302 – Education and Workforce Strategy Act

Reorganizes Georgia's education and workforce planning offices to better align schools, apprenticeships and career training.
HB 1284 – Terminally ill students

Allows Georgia high schools to award diplomas early to students with terminal illnesses who are receiving end-of-life care.
SB 589 – School enrollment age changes

Changes the age cutoff for kindergarten and first-grade enrollment and expands some voluntary Pre-K options.
SB 552 – Student political expression

Protects public school students' rights to political expression and guarantees equal access to school political groups.
SB 369 – Education program updates

Expands opportunities for virtual students, creates dropout recovery charter schools and sets new rules for nontraditional education programs.
SB 179 – Computer science education

Requires computer science to become a high school graduation requirement beginning with the 2031-32 school year and classifies virtual-only nonpublic schools as private schools.
Employment

HB 1118 – Paid maternal leave

Provides eligible state employees with 120 hours of paid maternity leave after childbirth and protects them from workplace retaliation for taking the leave.
HB 987 – Voluntary Portable Benefits Act

Creates a voluntary system that allows independent contractors to receive benefits, such as health or retirement contributions, through portable benefit accounts without changing their employment status.
HB 483 – Code enforcement protections

Creates stronger criminal penalties for assaults against code enforcement officers while performing their duties. The enhanced penalties apply specifically to offenses committed after July 1, 2026.
Entertainment & Gaming

HB 455 – Bingo law changes

Expands where bingo games can be held, increases the amount of prize money that can be awarded and limits how many bingo sessions can be held each day and month.
Food, Drugs & Cosmetics

HB 117 – Imported shrimp labeling

Requires restaurants to disclose when shrimp served is imported rather than wild-caught or domestic.
SB 551 – Egg law repeal

Repeals Georgia's laws governing egg grading, labeling and quality standards.
Homeowners

SB 406 – Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act (section 7 only)

Gives homeowners more HOA protections by requiring certified notice before collection actions, increasing transparency and creating a state complaint process for HOA disputes. Only Section 7, which deals with attorney's fees, goes into effect on July 1.
Hunting

HB 946 – Feral hog control

Allows people to trap feral hogs without a license and use drones to locate them. Captured hogs must be euthanized.
SB 148 – Hunting safety in schools

Allows public schools to offer hunting safety courses for students in grades 6-12 and creates a pilot program for outdoor learning spaces.
Medical

HB 227 – Medical cannabis updates

Renames Georgia's "low THC oil" program to medical cannabis and updates state laws and criminal penalties related to medical cannabis use and regulation.
SB 195 – Pharmacist PrEP and PEP law

Allows specially trained pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention medications without a traditional prescription under certain conditions.
Money & Finances

HB 945 – Financial fraud and cryptocurrency protections

Allows banks to temporarily freeze accounts when elder financial exploitation is suspected and creates new regulations for cryptocurrency kiosks, including transaction limits, fee caps and fraud warnings.
Motor Vehicles & Traffic

HB 1161 – Traffic safety updates

Updates Georgia's laws on yielding to emergency vehicles, fleeing from police and traffic stops. (The window tint section takes effect July 1, 2027.)
HB 651 – School-zone speed cameras

Updates rules for school-zone speed cameras, adds penalties for misuse and limits new camera programs after 2027 without voter approval. (Some provisions take effect July 1, 2027.)
SB 293 – Odometer fraud law

Makes odometer tampering a felony and significantly increases penalties for vehicle mileage and title fraud.
Protecting the disabled

SB 433 – Autism awareness and training

Creates autism awareness license plates and requires Georgia law enforcement officers to receive training on interacting with people with autism or developmental disabilities.
Religion

SB 591 – Disrupting religious services

Increases penalties for intentionally disrupting religious services, funerals and memorial services. Penalties are even tougher for military funerals.
Senior citizen protection

SB 439 – Senior living referral transparency

Requires senior living referral agencies to disclose key information to prospective residents and limits when they can collect referral fees.

06/27/2026

Therapy helps you move on. Lawyers help you get even. Justice > revenge ✨️

06/15/2026

New week. New mindset. Same commitment to making a difference. Keep pushing forward, stay positive, and remember—every effort counts.

06/15/2026

Honored to Serve the Georgia Prison Wardens’ Association

This week, I had the privilege of attending the 2026 Georgia Prison Wardens’ Association Leadership and Training Conference at beautiful Lake Lanier Islands. As General Counsel for the Association, I am continually reminded of the professionalism, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by Georgia’s correctional leaders.

Our wardens and correctional executives face extraordinary challenges every day. They are responsible not only for the safe and secure operation of our correctional institutions, but also for the development of future leaders, the protection of staff, and the successful management of complex organizations that play a critical role in public safety.

I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the outstanding members of the Georgia Prison Wardens’ Association as we continue to strengthen our profession through education, leadership development, mentorship, and collaboration.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is the Association’s continued commitment to supporting our membership through scholarship opportunities, advanced training programs, professional development initiatives, and mentoring relationships that help prepare the next generation of correctional leaders. Investing in our people is investing in the future of corrections in Georgia.

The conference provided an excellent opportunity for members to exchange ideas, discuss emerging challenges, learn from industry experts, and build the professional relationships that make our correctional community stronger.

Thank you to the Association’s leadership, board members, sponsors, and partners whose support makes these programs possible. Together, we are helping develop capable, ethical, and effective leaders who will continue to serve the citizens of Georgia with honor and distinction.

I look forward to continuing our mission of supporting correctional professionals, promoting excellence in leadership, and advancing the profession through education, mentorship, and service.