Matt Bentley

Experience

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  The Bentley Law Firm

  Jun 2007 - Jan 2019

  • Contract drafting & negotiations• Extensive title work (GSCCCA.org and real estate record rooms)• Resolve collection matters for HOAs (lead counsel - small collection efforts from pre-litigation demand through post-judgment enforcement)• Significant court room experience including mediations, pre-trial work, settlement, hearings, oral argument, and second chair trial• Appellate practice in Georgia/Florida including drafting of interlocutory and direct appeals, preparing for oral arguments, and all other procedural aspects of handling appeals• Local government work for Cobb County and City of Kennesaw including litigation: zoning, business, and various land use matters• Lobbyist at the state legislative level (2012); aid in lobbying (2013-2017)• Extensive litigation involving interpretation of complex contracts / insurance policies• Insurance Defense regarding risk assessment and litigation; claims: drafting Policy Limit Demands / Bad Faith Claims • Personal favorable settlements: (1) trespass to chattels claim and (2) insurance breach of contract claim Show less Bentley, Bentley, & Bentley Law Firm is a family law firm in Marietta, Ga founded by my grandfather (Fred D. Bentley Sr.) in 1948.Working for the family firm gave me opportunities in the legal field that most interns don't receive. On top of researching Westlaw and writing various memos and briefs, I was able to attend hearings, depositions, mediations, and many trials getting to sit and strategize with accomplished attorneys throughout the process. One of those trials I was able to work with former Governor, Roy Barnes, and my father, Fred D. Bentley, Jr., throughout the trial process, which ended in a 75 million dollar judgment. Show less

  • Associate Attorney

    Jul 2014 - Jan 2019

  • Legal Research Assistant

    Jun 2007 - Jul 2014
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  Emory University School of Law

  Aug 2011 - May 2014

  J.D. Candidate, 2014

  Emory Law School provides students with the technical and theoretical knowledge necessary to become a successful lawyer and a leader in their respective fields. These skills are enhanced through the Business Transactional Program, which gives law students both business and legal knowledge to add value to any business deal. After taking interactive classes such as, Contract Drafting, Deal Skills, Commercial Lending, and Private Equity, I can now add value from the dual perspective of business and law. Business Transactional Classes (At Emory Law or Emory Goizueta School of Business) 1. Contract Drafting2. Deal Skills3. Business Associations4. Banking Law5. Law and Economics6. Commercial Lending7. Private Equity8. Real Estate Finance9. Bankruptcy10. Federal Income Taxation11. Secured Transactions12. Patent Law Show less

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  Court of Appeals of Georgia

  Jan 2013 - Jun 2013

  Legal Research and Writing Assistant

  • Analyzed cases; drafted appellate opinions • Persuaded staff attorney to re-review easement abandonment case resulting in a reversal

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  NAI Brannen Goddard

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2019

  Commercial Real Estate Advisor
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  NAI Brannen Goddard

  Dec 2019 - now

  • Managing Director

    Mar 2023 - now

  • Senior Vice President

    Mar 2021 - Jun 2023

  • Vice President

    Dec 2019 - Mar 2021