News — Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP

Sam Funt selected to Best Lawyers in America and Georgia Super Lawyers for 2027

Partner Samantha J. Funt has been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, and selected to the 2027 Georgia Super Lawyers list. Both are peer-reviewed, and the Super Lawyers selection is her first to the main list.

MSGF LLP · August 26, 2026

UM faculty, First Amendment law firm file briefs supporting Lauren Stokes’ lawsuit appeal

Three University of Mississippi faculty members, represented by Andrew Canter of Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit supporting a former university employee who was fired over a social media post, arguing that the university has selectively enforced its own free speech protections.

Mississippi Free Press · August 12, 2026

Sam Funt joins the Henning Mediation panel of neutrals

Henning Mediation & Arbitration has added partner Samantha J. Funt to its panel of neutrals, together with the Atlanta trial lawyer Halsey G. Knapp, Jr. She takes mediation appointments in injury, medical negligence, civil rights, and commercial matters.

MSGF LLP · July 29, 2026

MSGF files free-speech lawsuit against Emory University on behalf of three professors

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP has filed a civil lawsuit in DeKalb County State Court on behalf of three tenured Emory University professors, challenging their wrongful arrests and prosecutions during a 2024 campus protest. Read the update and the filings.

MSGF LLP · April 24, 2026

Emory professors take on their own university after arrests at 2024 Israel-Hamas war protest

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represents three tenured Emory University professors in a civil lawsuit filed in DeKalb County State Court alleging the university violated its own free expression policies when it summoned Atlanta police and Georgia State Patrol to disband a 2024 pro-Palestinian campus protest, leading to 28 arrests.

Associated Press · April 23, 2026

In legal twist, deputy convicted in jail death case after civil suit failed

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP partner Zack Greenamyre was quoted as an outside civil rights authority in this report on former Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy Arron Cook’s guilty plea in the 2018 jail death of Antonio May, a case in which the family’s civil suit had been dismissed on qualified immunity grounds. Greenamyre observed that the outcome “speaks to how qualified immunity can sometimes be especially perverse.”

Atlanta Journal-Constitution · April 22, 2026

Atlanta Woman Files Lawsuit Over Raid by Deputies, U.S. Marshals for Suspect Already in Jail

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Atlanta resident Cathy George after DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals raided her home at 5 a.m. searching for a fugitive who had already been in jail for four months, a fact the Marshals themselves had publicized in a press release.

CBS News Atlanta · April 14, 2026

Atlanta Woman Sues Officers, U.S. Government for Wrongly Raiding Her Home in Search of Man Already in Jail

The Institute for Justice announced it is joining the federal lawsuit brought by Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP client Cathy George, whose Sandy Springs condominium was raided at dawn by U.S. Marshals and DeKalb County deputies searching for a man who had been in jail for four months.

Institute for Justice · April 14, 2026

Midwives sue to challenge Georgia laws restricting their ability to practice

Three midwives filed suit challenging Georgia laws that require costly physician collaboration agreements for nurse-midwives and bar non-nursing midwives from practicing altogether. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represents the plaintiffs with the Center for Reproductive Rights and Covington & Burling LLP, in a case that is part of a growing wave of litigation across the South seeking to expand midwifery access in maternity care deserts.

NBC News · April 2, 2026

Georgia agency punished for destroying video of fatal prison stabbing

A federal judge sanctioned the Georgia Department of Corrections for destroying video footage of a 2022 fatal prison stabbing and permitted the civil lawsuit brought by Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP’s client, the mother of the victim’s child, to proceed to trial, finding that a corrections officer had acted with deliberate indifference to the inmate’s constitutional rights.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution · March 30, 2026

Sanctioned: Ga. Lawyers Clear Evidence Spoliation Hurdle

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt partners Samantha Funt and Zack Greenamyre secured sanctions against the Georgia Department of Corrections and a correctional officer in the civil rights case arising from the 2022 fatal stabbing of handcuffed inmate Hakeem Williams at Valdosta State Prison, after a federal judge found both defendants acted in bad faith by destroying surveillance video and providing false sworn testimony.

Daily Report · March 30, 2026

‘It’s very hard.’ FBI raid on Atlanta family stumps federal judge.

A federal appeals court is weighing a case with major implications for law enforcement liability involving an MSGF client family whose home was mistakenly raided by an FBI SWAT team in 2017. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represents the family in their lawsuit against the federal government, which was revived by a U.S. Supreme Court decision and could reshape police accountability rules nationwide.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution · March 26, 2026

FBI raid on wrong home: Atlanta family’s lawsuit goes back to court after SCOTUS ruling

An MSGF client family whose home was wrongfully raided by the FBI in 2017 returned to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision revived their lawsuit. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represents Trina Martin, Toi Cliatt, and her son Gabriel Watson, who were terrorized when FBI agents used flashbang grenades and broke down their door before realizing they had raided the wrong house.

WSB-TV Channel 2 Atlanta · March 26, 2026

Georgia judge temporarily halts execution over questions about clemency process

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ordered a temporary halt to death row inmate Stacey Humphreys’ execution, ruling that questions about conflicts of interest involving two parole board members must be resolved before his clemency hearing can proceed. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP is part of the legal team representing Humphreys, arguing that board members with prior involvement in his case should recuse themselves to ensure a fair clemency process.

CBS News · December 29, 2025

Secretive Georgia Clemency Board Suspends Execution After Its Conflicts of Interest Are Exposed

Georgia’s Board of Pardons and Parole temporarily suspended the execution of death row inmate Stacey Humphreys after his legal team, which includes Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP, exposed that two board members had conflicts of interest stemming from their involvement in his 2007 trial. The case also involves allegations of juror misconduct that may have improperly swayed the jury toward a death sentence.

The Intercept · December 18, 2025

Notre Dame Law School’s Religious Liberty Clinic Secures Return of Volunteer Stephen Jarrard to County Jail’s Ministry Program After Years of Religious Discrimination

After nearly a decade of being barred from Polk County Jail’s ministry program because officials disagreed with his religious beliefs about baptism, volunteer minister Stephen Jarrard will return to his calling following a successful Eleventh Circuit appeal and settlement. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP’s Zack Greenamyre served on the legal team that secured this First Amendment victory, which affirms that government officials cannot exclude religious volunteers based on disagreement with their beliefs.

Notre Dame Law School News · December 18, 2025

Georgia Trend Legal Elite 2025

MSGF attorney Zack Greenamyre has been honored as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s Legal Elite for 2025. Greenamyre is named as one of the 23 best personal injury attorneys in the state, and is the only attorney on the list primarily dedicated to representing individuals and families in civil rights claims involving police, prison, and other government official misconduct.

Georgia Trend Magazine · December 1, 2025

Officers Assaulted, Threatened to Kill Man at High Security GA Prison, Macon Lawsuit Says

A federal lawsuit filed by MSGF attorney Zack Greenamyre alleges that 15 Georgia corrections officers at the Special Management Unit in Jackson retaliated against an incarcerated man for his participation in a class-action lawsuit challenging unconstitutional prison conditions. The lawsuit claims officers severely beat the plaintiff while he was handcuffed and not resisting, threatened to kill him, and intimidated him by referencing his daughter’s address, requiring 23 staples in his head and treatment for a broken hand and concussion.

The Telegraph (Macon) · October 16, 2025

Mother disputes GDC claim of no foul play after family extorted, daughter found dead in prison

Mother Marcia Turner disputes Georgia Department of Corrections’ claim that no foul play was involved in the death of her 28-year-old daughter Jodie Turner at Lee Arrendale State Prison, alleging her family was extorted by inmates and her daughter was beaten before dying in custody. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP is investigating this case involving potential civil rights violations and failure to protect an inmate from known threats within the state correctional system.

11Alive · October 8, 2025

Georgia sheriff settles pastor’s fight to continue horse trough baptisms

Polk County Sheriff Johnny Moats and former chief jailer settled a five-year federal civil rights lawsuit with evangelist Stephen Jarrard, who claimed his free speech rights were violated when he was banned from performing full-immersion baptisms using a horse trough at the county jail. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represented Jarrard in securing this settlement after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the defendants engaged in viewpoint discrimination based on religious beliefs.

Atlanta Journal Constitution · October 8, 2025

2 ex-officers at Augusta prison face federal charges in inmate’s death

A federal grand jury indicted two former Augusta State Medical Prison officers for violating the constitutional rights of inmate Thomas Henry Giles, who died after being left in his smoke-filled cell for hours during a fire in 2020. The state previously paid $5 million to settle the family’s lawsuit, with Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP representing the family in securing what is believed to be the largest settlement amount for a Georgia prison inmate death.

Atlanta Journal Constitution · August 8, 2025

Former Clayton County Sheriff Can’t Keep Relitigating Same Losing Arguments in 2022 Case, Says Federal Judge

A federal judge ruled that former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill cannot continue to challenge his 2022 conviction for violating detainees’ civil rights, clearing the way for a civil case brought by Raheem Peterkin who was restrained in a chair for hours at Hill’s orders. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represents Peterkin in the civil suit, which also targets CorrectHealth for enabling Hill’s pattern of abuse.

WABE · July 18, 2025

Discretionary lawn care, Agent Orange, and banished from South Georgia

The Eleventh Circuit ruled that a Georgia man can sue probation officers for malicious prosecution after they erroneously sought his arrest and jailed him for 104 days despite his full compliance with court-ordered banishment from five southern Georgia counties. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP secured this significant civil rights victory, with the court finding a clearly established constitutional violation and denying qualified immunity to the officers.

Institute for Justice · June 13, 2025

Law360’s Legal Lions Of The Week

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP was recognized as a Law360 Legal Lion for their role in representing a Georgia family in Martin v. United States, where the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Constitution’s supremacy clause cannot shield the federal government from Federal Tort Claims Act suits following a mistaken FBI raid. The decision revived the family’s claim after FBI agents wrongly raided their Atlanta home in 2017, mistaking it for a gang member’s residence and traumatizing the occupants including a 7-year-old child.

Law360 Pulse · June 13, 2025

U.S. Supreme Court revives Atlanta family’s lawsuit over botched FBI raid

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously revived an Atlanta family’s lawsuit against the federal government over a botched 2017 predawn FBI raid on their home, where agents mistakenly targeted their house instead of an alleged gang member’s residence a block away. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represents the Martin family in this significant civil rights case that could have broad implications for federal law enforcement accountability and the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution · June 12, 2025

Supreme Court Remands Case Over Predawn FBI Raid at Wrong House

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled to remand a federal tort claims case involving a woman whose family was subjected to a predawn FBI raid at the wrong house in 2017, with agents confusing her Atlanta-area home with that of a suspected gang member. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represented the plaintiff in this significant civil rights case, which clarified important issues under the Federal Tort Claims Act and was sent back to the Eleventh Circuit for further examination.

Law.com · June 12, 2025

Supreme Court Revives Suit From Victims of Botched F.B.I. Raid

In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court revived MSGF LLP’s client’s lawsuit after FBI agents raided the wrong home with guns drawn and a flash-bang grenade. The ruling allows the family to challenge the government’s claim of immunity and pursue justice for the botched operation.

New York Times · June 12, 2025

Arresting Someone for Violating a Probation Condition That Doesn’t Exist

The Eleventh Circuit ruled that probation officers violated the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments when they recklessly swore false statements to obtain an arrest warrant for violating nonexistent probation conditions, resulting in 104 days of wrongful imprisonment. MSGF LLP argued successfully on behalf of the plaintiff in this significant civil rights case.

Reason · June 10, 2025

What Can You Read In Prison?

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP is representing Avid Bookshop in a First Amendment lawsuit against Gwinnett County Jail’s mail policy that prevents the independent bookstore from sending books to inmates, highlighting the legal challenges in fighting for incarcerated people’s right to read.

Esquire · November 17, 2024

Fulton DA’s Office Drops Charges Against Man Accused Of Couple’s Murder

After a wrongful arrest in a 2018 double murder case, the Atlanta City Council agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit for the man who spent over a year in jail. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represented the wrongfully accused man, with one of the firm’s attorneys commenting on how police “shoehorned everything” to implicate someone they knew was innocent.

WSB-TV · October 18, 2024

Ga. Judge Says Disorderly Law ‘Likely Survives’ Challenge

A Georgia federal judge indicated that Woodbury’s disorderly conduct ordinance likely survives a constitutional challenge, representing a development in the ongoing First Amendment case. MSGF LLP represents the plaintiff challenging the city ordinance.

Law360 · October 16, 2024

Eleventh Circuit Rules in Favor of Prison Minister in Religious Freedom Case

The firm secured a significant victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (Jarrard v. Sheriff of Polk County) in partnership with Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Clinic and attorney Gerald Weber, defending a minister’s rights to access a jail volunteer program.

Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Clinic · September 26, 2024

Atlanta agrees to pay $1.5M to wrongfully accused man but keeps investigator who put him in jail on police force

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represented Keith Sylvester, who was wrongfully accused of murdering his mother and stepfather and spent 15 months in jail before being exonerated, securing a $1.5 million settlement from the City of Atlanta while continuing to advocate for accountability from the police department.

WABE (Atlanta’s NPR Station) · September 18, 2024

Atlanta to pay $1.5M to wrongfully accused man jailed for 15 months

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP secured a $1.5 million settlement from the city of Atlanta for Keith Sylvester, who spent 15 months in jail after being wrongfully accused of murdering his parents, with the case being revived by a federal appeals court that found the detective had omitted key exonerating evidence.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution · September 16, 2024

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP Receives 2024 Justice Ally of the Year Award

Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP received the “2024 Justice Ally of the Year Award” at SCHR’s Justice Taking Root Benefit Reception, recognizing Zack Greenamyre and Samantha Funt for their civil rights practice representing clients who experienced unlawful law enforcement violence and unjustified arrests.

Southern Center for Human Rights · May 14, 2024

Family of man who drowned in Gainesville pond near Avita files wrongful death lawsuit against center, law enforcement for negligence

The family of 50-year-old Jason Smith filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Avita Community Partners and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, alleging officers attempted to skip required medical clearance before taking Smith to the Gainesville behavioral health crisis center, where he subsequently drowned in a nearby pond. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP represents the family in this civil rights case.

Gainesville Times · April 9, 2024

Athens bookstore Avid files lawsuit against Gwinnett jail for denying books to inmates

Attorney Zack Greenamyre is serving as lead counsel for Avid Bookshop in a federal lawsuit challenging the Gwinnett County Jail’s mail policy that prevents the independent bookstore from sending books to inmates, arguing the policy violates First Amendment rights.

Athens Banner-Herald · March 19, 2024

Georgia prisoner died after being left for hours in smoke-filled cell

The state of Georgia agreed to pay $5 million to settle a lawsuit over the death of a prisoner who was left in a smoke-filled cell for hours after setting his mattress on fire. Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP was part of the legal team that secured what is believed to be the largest settlement ever paid by the state for a prison inmate’s death.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution · February 1, 2024

Ga. Man Says City Conduct Ordinance Is Unconstitutional

A man filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Woodbury, Georgia, a police officer, and a city employee, alleging he was arrested and jailed under an unconstitutional disorderly conduct ordinance after accusing city employees of racism. MSGF LLP represents the plaintiff in this First Amendment case challenging the city’s disorderly conduct ordinance.

Law360 · July 3, 2023

Black Transgender Woman Awarded $1.5 Million After ‘Bogus’ Arrest

A federal jury awarded $1.5 million to a Black transgender woman who was falsely arrested on cocaine trafficking charges and spent nearly six months in jail after a field test showed no evidence of drugs. The firm was part of the legal team that secured this significant civil rights verdict challenging discriminatory police practices.

The New York Times · February 22, 2022

Lawyers of transgender woman awarded $1.5 million verdict call for change

A federal jury awarded Ju’Zema Goldring a $1.5 million verdict against the Atlanta police officer who arrested her. Officer Vladimir Henry was one of two APD officers who stopped Goldring for jaywalking near 3rd and Piedmont in October 2015.

Atlanta News First · February 21, 2022

‘Perverse Incentives’: Judge Suggests Police Reform After $1.5 Million Jury Verdict Against Cop

A federal judge suggested police reform following a $1.5 million jury verdict in a case where a transgender woman was falsely charged with drug trafficking and spent nearly six months in jail. The firm was part of the legal team that secured this significant civil rights verdict.

Daily Report · February 18, 2022

Bartow County Sheriff’s Office Pays $100,000 After Mistaken Identity Leads To Arrest Of Cartersville Woman

Attorneys Zack Greenamyre and Samantha Funt of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP represented Rhonda Walker in a federal lawsuit against Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, securing a $100,000 settlement after their client was wrongfully arrested due to mistaken identity.

Coosa Valley News · January 1, 2022

Family of man killed by authorities serving no-knock warrant wants video released

Zack Greenamyre represented the family of Johnny Bolton, a 49-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by a SWAT team member while unarmed during the execution of a no-knock warrant, with the firm demanding transparency from law enforcement and the release of video footage of the incident.

Fox 5 Atlanta · May 25, 2021

After Atlanta Teen Is Injured in a Police Encounter, Lawyers Call for Change

Attorneys Zack Greenamyre and Samantha Funt represented a 17-year-old who suffered serious injuries after a police chase, demanding justice through dismissal of charges and coverage of medical expenses.

The Appeal · September 17, 2020

Innocent Man Released From Jail After 15 Months In Parents’ Deaths; New Suspect Arrested

The firm represented Keith Sylvester who spent 15 months in jail after being wrongfully accused of murdering his mother and stepfather, with the firm filing suit against detectives who allegedly obtained a warrant “based on deliberate and reckless material falsehoods and omissions.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution · September 2, 2020

Georgia City Settles First Amendment Case with Banned Resident

MSGF LLP secured a $43,697.50 settlement for Catherine Corkren in a First Amendment case challenging her ban from the city of Statham, Georgia.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution · May 9, 2019

Condemned prisoner Son Fleming, who has had three heart attacks on death row, was granted a reprieve

Kenneth A. Shapiro, later a co-founder of this firm, represented death row inmate Son Fleming, securing a stay of execution by arguing that his client’s trial was unfair due to racial discrimination in jury selection.

United Press International (UPI) · June 27, 1986

Press coverage and firm updates

Professors sue Emory over April 25 encampment arrests