Hiram, GA

Tristan B. Morrison

Tristan Morrison is a founding partner of Morrison & Hughes. Mr. Morrison has more than 20 years of experience handling workers’ compensation and other injury claims. He is a proud UGA Law graduate, is rated AV Preeminent, and has won numerous victories for his clients at trial. He is an active member of the Workers’ Compensation Section and was appointed to the Atlanta Bar Associate’s LRIS Board of Trustees. Mr. Morrison knows the insurance industry from the inside out. He previously worked at two of the best defense firms in Fulton and Cobb counties. He has an intimate knowledge of the law and handles the most serious accidents, including catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and on-the-job car accidents.

James Murphy

James K. Murphy is an Atlanta personal injury lawyer and author. He graduated from SUNY in Geneseo with a major in Political Science and earned his JD from SUNY Buffalo Law School in 1989. Admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1991, he has over 25 years of practice in Georgia. He is recognized as a Best-Selling Author and a Martindale Hubbell “BV” rated attorney. He is known for his client-focused approach, charitable programs, and family values.

Leon Hilliard Hughes

Hil Hughes attended Emory University as an undergraduate, majoring in Chemistry, Philosophy, and Asian Studies. This focus on the study of Asia includes participation in Stanford University’s Japanese program in Kyoto. Hil holds an MBA from both Georgia State and the Sorbonne in Paris. He also earned his law degree from the University of Georgia. Hil has practiced in front of Georgia courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Georgia Supreme Court. He has also zealously advocated for the rights of injured workers in front of the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation and on appeal. He also represents claimants for Social Security Disability and has won benefits for those claimants at Social Security hearings.

Paul L. Jenkins

Paul Jenkins has dedicated his career to passionately defending the rights of injured workers and individuals with disabilities. With over 20 years of legal experience, he has successfully represented clients in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, taking on employers of all sizes and many of the nation’s largest insurance carriers. His personal injury practice includes representing victims of auto accidents, slip-and-falls, and dog bites. Known for his clear and precise counsel, Mr. Jenkins is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients, who respect his tenacity and ability to litigate cases effectively from start to finish. Mr. Jenkins is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and Georgia, including the Georgia Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. A Massachusetts native, he earned his J.D. cum laude from New England Law | Boston, where he was honored as a New England Scholar for his exceptional academic achievements. Since becoming a Partner at Morrison & Hughes in 2018, Mr. Jenkins has leveraged his extensive experience in Social Security Disability law to further support his workers’ compensation and personal injury clients. Before joining the firm, he regularly appeared before U.S. Administrative Law Judges with the Social Security Administration, successfully trying over 2,000 disability hearings across the continental U.S. and Hawaii. As a sought-after speaker, Paul has shared his expertise on Social Security Disability law for organizations such as the International Claim Association, Munich Reinsurance Corporation, the National Organization of Social Security Representatives, the Disability Employer Coalition, and the National Parkinson Foundation. Additionally, he has authored widely recognized multi-media tools used by nationwide disability firms to educate claimants on the Social Security Disability process. Outside of work, Paul is an avid traveler and a passionate foodie who enjoys exploring international cuisine. His perfect morning consists of reading The New York Times with a coffee in hand while tossing a ball to his beloved labradoodle, Buckley.

Robert Burke

Robert “Bo” Burke is a Georgia native born and raised in the Atlanta area. After graduating from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, he started his career as a file clerk at a large defense firm in Atlanta. He worked his way up to a paralegal before deciding to go to law school. He attended the Charleston School of Law in South Carolina and graduated in 2011 with honors. After passing the Georgia Bar exam, Bo began his legal career at a specialized litigation firm in Atlanta. There, he represented international corporations in litigation involving people the corporations had injured. He litigated cases in more than twenty-four states and became well versed in the tactics companies and insurance carriers use to shield their assets. His practice areas included trucking and car crashes, premises liability (slip and falls), dram shop (drunk driving), construction defects, and business disputes. Nearly a decade later, Bo found greater purpose in using his skills to fight for the rights of injured people rather than protecting corporate interests. He spent two years at a respected plaintiff’s firm before joining Morrison and Hughes, where he has now served as a lead trial attorney for the past three years. In that time, Bo has recovered over $30 million for his clients, including a $20 million judgment in 2024. His results include $600,000 for a go-kart crash, $1.5 million against a trucking company, $2.1 million and $3 million for car crash cases, $3.5 million for a trucking crash, $475,000 for a slip and fall, and $350,000 for a car vs. pedestrian case.

Nick Ponzio

Nick Ponzio, a Georgia native, earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Georgia State University. During that time, he worked as a paralegal, gaining valuable experience assisting personal injury clients. Prior to joining the Morrison and Hughes team, Nick gained valuable experience representing employers and insurance companies at a prominent defense firm. His success stems from his ability to leverage his knowledge and experience to effectively advocate for his clients and secure the results they deserve. Nick is known for going the extra mile to ensure each client receives the best possible outcome. At Morrison and Hughes, Nick brings his personalized approach by providing clear communication, prompt responses, and regular updates throughout the legal process. He thoroughly investigates each claim, working closely with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and other specialists to build a strong case. Nick’s tenacity in negotiating with insurance companies ensures that his clients receive nothing less than what they deserve. Whether through settlement or litigation, he is relentless in pursuing justice and protecting his clients’ rights.

Kait Hayden

Kait Hayden graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in English, specializing in composition and rhetoric, and earned a certificate in interdisciplinary writing. During her time at UGA, Kait excelled as an Academic All-American Second Team student-athlete on the University’s rowing team, where she served as both a coxswain and rower. She also had the honor of studying abroad at Oxford University. Following her undergraduate studies, Kait earned her Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law, focusing her education entirely on criminal defense. Her dedication led her to multiple internships and externships in indigent defense, including roles with the Georgia Capital Defenders, the Georgia Innocence Project, the Georgia Public Defender’s Standard Council, and the Metro Conflict Defenders. As a Graduate Research Assistant, she contributed to challenging the standard of proof required by Georgia courts in cases involving intellectually disabled defendants. Kait began her legal career as an associate attorney at Morrison & Hughes, litigating workers’ compensation claims. After briefly stepping away from legal practice to focus on her family and the birth of her two children, Kait returned to her passion for criminal defense. She served as a public defender in Henry County and Clayton County, handling a range of felony cases. Through this role, Kait gained extensive trial experience and hands-on training in cases ranging from drug possession to serious felony charges, including rape, aggravated child molestation, and murder. Kait is deeply committed to the vital role of criminal defense attorneys in the justice system. She continually enhances her skills through rigorous continuing education and trial advocacy programs to provide the highest level of representation for her clients. She is a proud graduate of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ “Bill Daniel Trial Advocacy Program,” a prestigious and competitive trial skills training led by Georgia’s top criminal defense attorneys.