Photo of Brannon J. Arnold

Brannon J. Arnold

Partner

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 as a Super Lawyers® “Rising Star” consecutively for the last ten years. 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

University of South Carolina, B.A., magna cum laude, 2005

Phi Beta Kappa
Honors College

University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2008
Phi Delta Phi

Bar & Court Admissions

  • State Bar of Georgia
  • The Florida Bar
  • South Carolina Bar
  • Georgia Supreme Court
  • Georgia Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts 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.

Awards & Recognitions

ALM, Georgia Legal Awards, On the Rise - 2022

Best Lawyers in America®

Commercial Litigation, 2024 - 2025

Health Care Law, 2022 - 2025

Litigation - Health Care, 2024-2025

Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, 2021-2025

Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2021-2025

Super Lawyers® Magazine, Georgia Super Lawyers, Personal Injury - Products: Defense (2024)

Super Lawyers® Magazine, Georgia Rising Stars List, Personal Injury - Products: Defense (2013-2023)

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

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

News & Publications

Is the Litigation Deck Stacked Against You?, Risk & Insurance, May 16, 2022

Combating the 'Rambo' Litigator: Learn How to Defeat Lawyers Who Employ Dirty Litigation Tactics to Win at Any Cost, ACC Georgia Newsletter, February 4, 2020

Proceed With Caution: How E-Scooter Companies Can Protect Riders and Themselves, Fulton County Daily Report, July 12, 2019

Arbitration Agreement Case in Georgia: What to Understand, McKnight’s, March 22, 2017.

Combating the "Rambo" Litigator - Learn How to Defeat Lawyers Who Employ Dirty Litigation Tactics to Win at Any Cost, DRI - Strictly Speaking, Volume 13 Issue 3, August 19, 2016. 

Events & Speaking Engagements

“U Can’t Touch This:  Challenges in Autonomous Equipment," presentation, DRI Product Liability Conference, New Orleans, LA, February 2020. 

“The #MeToo Backlash, Violence in the Workplace and Other L&E Hot Topics” and “Combating the “Rambo” Litigator,” presentation, Georgia ACC Chapter luncheon, Atlanta, GA, October 2019. 

“Banter, Business and Better Relationships,” presentation, ACE March High Potential Group Luncheon, Atlanta, GA, March 2019.

“Life of a Trial Series: Evidence (Real & Demonstrative),” presentation, Atlanta Bar Association Litigation Breakfast Meeting, Atlanta, GA, January 2018

“Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation: Update and Insights on Trends, Damages Exposure and Strategy,” presentation, CPCU Society Atlanta Chapter I-Day, Atlanta, GA, August 2017.

“Navigating Litigation Landmines,” presentation, Georgia ACC Chapter luncheon, Atlanta, GA, October 2016.

"Combating the 'Rambo' Litigator- Learn How to Defeat Lawyers Who Employ Dirty Litigation Tactics to Win at Any Cost," presentation, DRI Product Liability Conference, New Orleans, LA, February 2016.