Shaun Carter is the latest attorney to join the team at Gary Martin Hays & Associates. It's been over one year since he started back in April 2018, so it's time we introduced Shaun to everyone so you can learn a little bit more about him.
Shaun was born and raised in Fayetteville, Georgia, a small town 25 miles south of Atlanta with a little over 10,000 people.
He traveled to Washington D.C. to attend Howard University, a prestigious historically black university, and graduated cum laude (with distinction) in 2006. He furthered his education at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, graduating from its Law School in 2011.
"Originally, I thought I would be writing and reviewing contracts for professional sports," Shaun said. Life had other plans.
After graduating, a friend referred him to a criminal defense firm. "It sounded interesting and fulfilling being able to help those in need," Shaun explained.
Shaun returned to Georgia and began his legal career in Clayton County as a criminal defense attorney and then Assistant Solicitor General, gathering extensive trial experience. Of his experience, he said he learned that "[n]o matter which side of the coin you are on, you have the choice to do the right thing."
After several years of criminal defense work, Shaun went on to work as staff counsel for one of the nation's largest automobile insurance companies, gaining experience in all phases of litigation. During his time there, the young attorney came to understand the prevailing legal wisdom: the insurance company is not your friend.
With a desire to represent people injured by a negligent party, Shaun joined Gary Martin Hays & Associates. So far, his most memorable case involved a client who was driving through an intersection when a work van tried to make a left turn in front of him, resulting in a T-bone crash.
"My client broke his kneecap and the insurance company acted like it wasn't a big deal because his bone healed quickly without complications," he recalled. Fortunately, the case settled without having to file a lawsuit.
Shaun said it is important people understand that personal injury lawyers are on their side. "We help you get the proper medical care and we make sure the insurance companies do not take advantage of you," he explained.
When Shaun is not working for his clients, he volunteers as a member and a mentor with the Emerging 100 of Atlanta. He also enjoys playing softball, golf, tennis, and watching Atlanta sports.
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