Stewart Melvin & Frost

Following nearly a decade of service as an Assistant District Attorney in the State of Georgia in both Superior and Juvenile Courts, Canon Snow joined Stewart Melvin & Frost earlier this year. He has impressive expertise as a civil litigation attorney, and we look forward to his continued success with our team.

We are excited to announce that Stewart, Melvin & Frost was awarded Regional Total Point MVP for the 2024 Georgia Legal Food Frenzy! With your help, we were able to raise $3,996.25 for the Georgia Mountain Food Bank. Thank you for helping us make an impact in the North Georgia community.

This is the last week to join Brook Davidson and Team BGC Lanier - Board of Directors in making waves for a great cause at the 26th Annual Duck Derby this Saturday, May 11th! Adopt your ducks today and help the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier create a safe and encouraging environment for kids in our community - https://www.duckrace.com/gainesville/teams/13569/30883. Learn more about the event and available prizes at https://www.duckrace.com/gainesville.

Join Brook Davidson and Team BGC Lanier - Board of Directors in making waves for a great cause at the 26th Annual Duck Derby on May 11th! Your support by adopting ducks helps the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier create a safe and encouraging environment for kids in our community. Every duck ensures every kid has the chance to soar. Let's rally together - because every duck matters in the race to make a difference. Adopt your ducks today through Brook’s Team Page - https://www.duckrace.com/gainesville/teams/13569/30883. Learn more about the event and available prizes at https://www.duckrace.com/gainesville.

Today's the last day! The final hours of the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy are ticking away, and you still have a chance to make a lasting impact with Stewart Melvin & Frost. Let's come together to deliver one last push for the Georgia Mountain Food Bank. Your donation today means more meals for our neighbors in need. Give through the Stewart Melvin & Frost team fundraising page and let's end this competition strong - https://www.classy.org/team/569623!

Our friends from Stewart Melvin & Frost came out to finish up the week and button up Georgia Legal Food Frenzy!
We are thankful to all of the Law Firms that have participated and look forward keeping it up!
Thanks so much for all of your help!

We're in the final stretch of the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, and Stewart Melvin & Frost is more committed than ever! With just one week left, your support can make all the difference for families facing food insecurity. Every donation to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank fuels our fight against hunger. Donate now via our team page and be part of this vital cause - https://www.classy.org/team/569623.

Let the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy begin! Stewart Melvin and Frost is proud to participate in this annual two-week fundraising competition starting today and running through April 26th. Every donation we collect goes straight to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, providing essential nutrition to those facing food insecurity in our community. Join us on this mission! Donate online through our team page today – https://www.classy.org/team/569623. Together, we can end hunger.

Our firm is participating in the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy again this year! All donations made through our team’s fundraising page from April 15th to 26th will support Georgia Mountain Food Bank’s mission to address hunger, health and quality of life by serving those in need. Stay tuned for the link to our team fundraising page on April 15th! Let's come together and provide essential nutrition to our community members facing food insecurity.
https://www.classy.org/team/569623

Navigating the path of compliance – The Corporate Transparency Act mandates both companies and beneficial owners to file a report with the Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Network (FinCEN). Visit our website for key deadlines and details.

https://smf-law.com/news/beneficial-owner-reporting-required-by-section-6403-of-the-corporate-transparency-act/.

We're proud to be part of the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, an annual fundraising competition in collaboration with the Georgia Attorney General, the State Bar and YLD, and Feeding Georgia. From April 15th through 26th, we’ll be collecting funds through our firm’s team page to benefit Georgia Mountain Food Bank. Keep an eye out for updates and help us provide essential nutrition to families and individuals in our community facing food insecurity.

Friday afternoon some of the ladies of SMF attended the Woman Source Motivating Women Luncheon along with other ladies of the community. At the luncheon they got to hear Keynote Speaker Dr. Patrice Harris present. Dr. Harris is the 174th president of the American Medical Association, and the CEO and co-founder of eMED. We are proud to be a part of a community of accomplished professional women.

Happy 20th Work Anniversary to Jamie Ryal! We are so grateful for you!

We are proud of our very own Anna Adams Orkins, a partner at Stewart Melvin and Frost, for being named to Super Lawyers’ 2024 Rising Stars list for the fourth consecutive year. Being named a Rising Star is an exclusive honor recognizing fewer than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state of Georgia. Anna's practice focuses on estate planning and probate, including the preparation of wills and trusts, along with estate administration.

Google Review of The Month | Thank you Pam Wallace, for your kind words about Attorney Eric Wilborn. At Stewart Melvin & Frost, we prioritize communication and professionalism for all of our clients! To read more about Eric and his practice areas click here: https://www.smf-law.com/attorneys/eric-p-wilborn/

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from your Stewart Melvin and Frost family.
Christmas Hours: We will be closing at 3pm on December 21st and will remain closed until December 26th.
New Years Hours: We will be closed January 1st, 2024.

We wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Meet the Team: Please meet our newest member of the Stewart Melvin and Frost team Sharon Swanson. Sharon was born and raised in England. She met her husband Bryan, who is now retired from the United States Marine Corp while working at the US Embassy in London. In 1990 she moved here to the US where she embarked on her academic journey. She has two daughters, Taylor and Caitlin. Her oldest daughter Taylor is married to Daniel and they have a little girl Olivia.

Sharon has worked in the legal field on and off for the past 30 years, mainly in litigation. She graduated from Brenau University here in Gainesville in 2009 with a BS in Mass Communication and is a lifetime member of the Lambda Phi Eta, the National Communication Association Honor's Society. In 2015, she attended UGA's Continuing Education program and received her Paralegal Certificate.

When asked where her favorite place is? "wherever my family is".

We wish you a safe and restful Labor Day from everyone at Stewart Melvin and Frost. Our office will be closed in observance of Labor Day and will reopen at 8:30am on 9/5.

LAWYER SPOTLIGHT | Justin S. Sheffield

Associate attorney Justin S. Sheffield joined the firm in 2023 as part of the probate and estate planning section. Justin has a passion for helping clients plan for the future and settle the estates of loved ones who have passed.

As a law student, Justin served as Graduate Research Assistant for Professor Mary F. Radford. Justin helped Professor Radford update her publications, including Georgia Trusts and Trustees and Georgia Guardianship and Conservatorship. Justin also interned at the Gwinnett County Probate Court where he assisted judges and court staff with guardianship, conservatorship, and probate matters.

Justin graduated magna cm laude from the Georgia State University College of Law. As a student, Justin earned awards for academic achievement in Research, Remedies, and Lawyering Advocacy. Justin also served as the president of the College of Law’s Estate Planning and Wealth Management Law Society. Now, Justin is a member of the State Bar of Georgia’s Fiduciary Law section.

Justin graduated from the University of Georgia as a vocal music major studying under Professor Gregory Broughton. Prior to attending law school, Justin served as a church music director and taught private music lessons. He enjoys singing and playing the piano in a wide variety of musical styles. Justin and his wife, Kimber, spend their time singing together and caring for their cat.

Happy Work Anniversary to Partner Ron F. Chicken!

Our very own Tread Syfan was awarded the W.G Mealor Award at the Great Hall Chamber of Commerce Gala. We are so proud of Tread’s accomplishments and appreciate his contributions to the Firm and the Hall County community. Thank you, Tread, and congratulations!

Here is an excerpt from the Times’ piece by Rachel Estes about the award:

“The W.G. Mealor Award was given to Tread Syfan of Stewart, Melvin & Frost.

Named for the chamber’s first chairman, the chairman’s choice award honors civic servants who go “beyond the call of duty” in their work with the chamber and in the community.

A Gainesville native and graduate of Gainesville High School and the University of Georgia School of Law, Syfan serves as general counsel and secretary for the Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority, which has worked with 323 new and expanding companies over the last 15 years to create 15,800 additional jobs with $3.7 billion in capital investment.

Syfan’s involvement in economic development spans 40 years, according to outgoing chamber chairman William Bagwell, and includes projects such as Atex, Koch Foods, King’s Hawaiian, Fox Factory, Kubota and, most recently, the new Northeast Georgia Inland Port.

“One of the things I appreciate about Tread Syfan is that he does not do what he does for accolades,” Bagwell said. “He does it because he enjoys it, it needs doing and he wants to better his community. Tread is a great example of a champion for Gainesville/Hall County.”

Here’s the link to the whole story: https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/life/people/a-community-service-worth-celebrating-greater-hall-chamber-lauds-leaders-in-business-public-service-at-annual-gala/

Happy Work Anniversary to Ashton Linton!

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Stewart, Melvin & Frost! We hope you had a great weekend celebrating those around you.