rhendrix@finchmccranie.com

Richard W. Hendrix is a former state and federal prosecutor who has more than 40 years of experience in complex civil and criminal litigation. Since joining Finch McCranie LLP in 1985, Mr. Hendrix has built an extensive litigation practice focusing on wrongful death and serious personal injury cases as well as federal white collar criminal defense cases. Richard has tried dozens and dozens of civil and criminal cases, resulting in record verdicts, including a recent November 2023 medical malpractice verdict against Emory University in excess of $38 million, and acquittals in criminal cases.

He has successfully represented injured parties in personal injury cases throughout the state of Georgia and beyond. Mr. Hendrix has also effectively defended business and individuals, including a former US Congressman, against indictments and grand jury investigations. Richard has been selected and recognized as an outstanding lawyer in all major publications, including Chambers, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and many others.

He is admitted to practice in Georgia and South Carolina, and he is licensed to appear before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and the District of South Carolina as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Fifth Circuit, and Eleventh Circuit.

From 1979-1985, Mr. Hendrix served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. He was also Associate Independent Counsel for the investigation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1991-1992.

Education

Mr. Hendrix graduated with cum laude honors from Davidson College and he received his law degree from Emory University. Since 1992, Mr. Hendrix has been an Adjunct Professor of Litigation at Georgia State University College of Law. He is also a Master of the Bench with the Lamar American Inn of Court where he works to enhance the professional, ethics and skills of the legal community.

Articles & Reported Cases

Mr. Hendrix has also authored numerous articles including: “High Speed Police Chases and Injured Innocent By-Standers,” The Verdict (Summer, 2015) “Tolling the Statute of Limitations in Tort Cases for Victims of a Crime,” The Verdict (Fall, 2007); “A Refresher On the Federal Tort Claims Act,” The Verdict (Winter, 1999); “Rule 16 and the Jencks Act: A Need for Legal Reform,” Calendar Call (Winter, 1996); “Corporate Criminal Liability: The Need for Effective Compliance Programs,” South Carolina Lawyer (March/April, 1993); “Crossing State Lines in Wrongful Death Actions: Traps for the Unwary,” The Verdict (Fall, 1990); and “White Collar Crime: New Tools for Prosecution,” The Atlanta Lawyer (Summer, 1986)

Federal

• Ayers v. Harrison, 506 Fed. Appx. 883, 2013 WL 411352 (11th Cir. 2013)
• Kolencik v. Progressive Preferred Ins. Co., 2006 WL 738715 (N.D.Ga. 2006)
• Kolencik v. Stratford Ins. Co., 195 Fed.Appx. 855, 2006 WL 2466182 (11th Cir. 2006)
• Sales v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 849 F.2d 1383 (11th Cir. 1988)
• Sales v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 902 F.2d 933 (11th Cir. 1990)
• United States v. Herbst, 641 F.2d 1161 (5th Cir. 1981)
• United States v. Killingsworth, 719 F.2d 1130 (11th Cir. 1983)
• United States v. Melton, 739 F.2d 576 (11th Cir. 1984)
• United States v. Mills, 704 F.2d 1553 (11th Cir. 1983)
• United States v. Sneed, 732 F.2d 886 (11th Cir. 1984)

State

• Atlanta Casualty Co. v. Watson, 204 Ga. App. 584, 420 S.E.2d 344 (1992)
• Banks v. City of Hampton, 280 Ga. App. 432, 634 S.E.2d 192 (2006)
• Canal Ins. Co. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 256 Ga. App. 866, 570 S.E.2d 60 (2002)
• Clayton County v. Austin-Powell, 321 Ga. App. 12, 740 S.E.2d 831 (2013)
• Columbia County v. Branton, 304 Ga. App. 149, 695 S.E.2d 674 (2010)
• Harkins v. Progressive Gulf Ins. Co., 262 Ga. App. 559, 586 S.E.2d 1 (2003)
• McCobb v. Clayton County, 309 Ga. App. 217, 710 S.E.2d 207 (2011)
• Potts v. Roller, 232 Ga. App. 696, 503 S.E.2d 587 (1998)
• Ramsdell v. State Auto Mut. Ins. Co., 206 Ga. App. 357, 425 S.E.2d 661 (1992)
• Strength v. Lovett, 311 Ga. App. 35, 714 S.E.2d 723 (2011)