ATTORNEY PROFILE

Katherine Ventulett Hernacki concentrates her practice on general civil litigation and personal injury matters, representing clients in claims of significant damage.

As protégé and co-counsel to famed attorney L. Lin Wood, Ms. Hernacki has handled several high profile matters including representation of Richard Jewell in matters arising out of reporting about Mr. Jewell in connection with the bombing of Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, representation of John and Patsy Ramsey and their son in matters relating to the 1996 murder of Jon Benèt Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado, and representation of former U.S Congressman Gary Condit in matters relating to the May 2001 abduction and murder of Chandra Levy in Washington. Ms. Hernacki also served as co-counsel representing the victim in the civil action in Colorado against NBA player Kobe Bryant.

In 2006, Ms. Hernacki joined the law firm of Powell Goldstein. During her tenure at Powell Goldstein, and after its combination with Bryan Cave LLP, Ms. Hernacki defended class actions and represented clients in a wide variety of general commercial and personal disputes in state and federal courts around the country. She has significant trial and hearing experience as well as considerable appellate practice, having handled appeals in both state and federal appellate courts, including filing a petition for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court.

Education

Emory University, J.D., Order of Advocates, Order of Barristers, 2000
Northwestern University, B.A., 1996

Admissions

Georgia, 2000
United States Supreme Court
United States Courts of Appeals for the Tenth and Eleventh Circuits
United States District Courts for the District of Colorado, the Middle District of Georgia and the Northern District of Georgia
Georgia Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Georgia

Awards & Recognition

Georgia Super Lawyers 'Rising Stars' 2009
Faculty, Kessler Trial Techniques Program - Emory University School of Law
Leadership Buckhead, 2010.

Publications

"Ag Department Under Fire on Open Records," Fulton Daily Report, quoted December 3, 2007

Speaking Engagements

"Let the Sunshine In: Open Records Acts in Litigation," Powell Goldstein Business Litigation and Arbitration Breakfast Briefing, Fall 2007
"The Do's and Don'ts of Document Retention," Powell Goldstein Business Litigation and Arbitration Breakfast Briefing, Spring 2006
"What Everyone Needs to Know About the Georgia Records Act," Lorman Educational Series, Atlanta, Georgia, July 2008.

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association
Atlanta Lawyers Club
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
State Bar of Georgia