Atlanta
Language:
Spanish (conversant)
Biography
Professional experience
Education
Cases
Biography
Jeffrey Paul Lutz is the former Chair of CM Law’s litigation practice group and plays an active role in the Firm’s real estate practice group. Jeffrey’s practice focuses on representing individuals and businesses in contract-based disputes. Jeffrey is also a certified mediator and arbitrator, serving as a panelist on multiple dispute resolution platforms.
Due to his past work background and family connections, Mr. Lutz has significant experience working with and for companies involved in commercial and residential development. His many clients are involved in all aspects of development and construction: real estate developers and owners, agents and brokers, design professionals, and general contractors
and specialty subcontractors. Jeffrey represents these companies in contract negotiation, drafting, and myriad construction-related disputes including the following:
- bid protests, mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens, broker’s liens, performance and payment bonds, design defect, workforce supplementation, delay and scheduling, project settlement cramdowns, real property tax assessments, design infringement, project change orders, and extra-contractual performance.
Jeffrey also represents small and large corporations involved in
commercial and business disputes, and has taken a lead role in litigation involving the following claims:
- breach of contract, unfair business and/or trade practices,
defamation, fraudulent transfers or conveyances, covenants not to compete or solicit, breach of fiduciary duty, partnership dissolution, employment litigation, landlord/tenant disputes, trademark and copyright infringement, trade secrets claims, and tortious interference with business and/or contractual relations.
For his many accomplishments, Jeffrey has repeatedly been named a Georgia Super Lawyer® “Rising Star” and Georgia Super Lawyer®, recognized by Atlanta Magazine as one of the top lawyers in Georgia in the field of construction law. Jeffrey has also been named as one of The Best Lawyers in America® in both construction and commercial litigation, representing the top 5% of U.S. attorneys in these fields. Lastly, he has achieved a preeminent “AV” rating in ethics and legal competency with Martindale-Hubbell® from his peers and judiciary, as well as a “Superb” rating from Avvo.com, an independent rating company.
Jeffrey is a 12-year veteran of both the U.S. Army and Georgia Army National Guard. While on active duty, he served as a team leader and Non-Commissioned Officer with the 1st battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, where he was deployed throughout the United States, Central and South Americas, and Europe. Among his many awards, Jeffrey received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (Fourth), Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and the coveted Ranger Tab.
As a passion project, Jeffrey has taken on the role of Team Chaplain and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) coordinator for the Glynn Academy wrestling team.
Jeffrey is married to his college sweetheart, Amber, and they have two energetic sons. He is an avid college football fan and, in his spare time, enjoys coaching youth sports teams, golfing, boating, hunting, hiking and all things outdoors.
Professional experience
- Epstein Becker & Green
- FisherBroyles
Education
- Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University, J.D.
- Georgia Southern University, M.A.
- Georgia Southern University, B.A.
Cases
Reported Decisions: While other litigators are comfortable preparing for and conducting a trial, only, Mr. Lutz also has a proven appellate court record demonstrating his ability to see his client’s successes beyond the courtroom. Mr. Lutz has been the attorney of record or substantively involved in numerous reported and unreported appellate court cases:
- Carolina Cas. Ins. Co. v. Ragan Mech. Contrs., Inc., 262 Ga. App. 6, 584 S.E.2d 646 (2003).
- Vinings Jubilee Partners, Ltd. v. Vinings Dining, Inc., 266 Ga. App. 34,596 S.E.2d 209 (2004).
- SuperValu Inc. v. KR Douglasville, LLC, 272 Ga. App. 710, 613 S.E.2d 154 (2005)(reconsideration denied, cert. denied).
- Groth v. Ace Cash Express, Inc., 276 Ga. App. 350, 623 S.E.2d 208 (2005).
- U.S. Micro v. Atlantix Global Systems, LLC, 278 Ga.App. 599 (2006).
- Williams v. Renaissance Development et. al., Ga. Ct. of Appeals Case No. A11A0817 (January 18, 2011).
- Seaboard Construction Company v. Kent Realty Brunswick, LLC, 331 Ga.App. 742, 771 S.E.2d 429 (2015).
- Homelife on Glynco, LLC v. Gateway Ctr. Comm. Assoc., 348 Ga.App. 97, 819 S.E.2d 723 (2018) (reconsideration denied, cert. denied).
- GunBroker.com, LLC v. Tenor Capital Partners, LLC, Appeal No. 22-13911-HH (11th Circuit).
Publications and Seminars: Speaking and publishing to large industry groups requires a great deal of research, industry knowledge, and experience and credibility. Mr. Lutz is a sought-after writer and speaker who stands at the forefront of his industry. Mr. Lutz frequently speaks and writes about
business and construction-related topics. His recent publications include:
- Georgia Construction Law: What do you do when…?, Co-author, National Business Institute, 2003.
- Georgia Construction Defect and Mold Litigation, Co-author, National Business Institute, 2003.
- Employment Rights Under USERRA, Speaker, Columbus Bar Association, 2004.
- Cybercrime in the U.S.- Protecting Your Clients from Theft by Computer, Co-author, Georgia State Bar, 2006; Intl. Lawyers Network, 2007.
- Construction Law in Georgia, Author and Speaker, American Bar Assoc., Community Outreach, 2006.
- Construction Law Glossary, Contributing Author, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, 2007.
- Construction Management Design/Build, Author and Speaker, Lorman Education Services, 2007.
- Construction Law for the General Practitioner, Author and Speaker, Georgia ICLE, 2007 and 2009.
- Construction Law for Architects, Engineers and Contractors, Author and Speaker, Half Moon Seminars, 2009.
- Construction Law for the General Practitioner, Author and Speaker, Georgia ICLE, 2011 and 2013.
- Filing and Protecting Materialmen’s Liens in Georgia, Author and Speaker, Georgia ICLE, 2014-2026.
