History

With more than 35 years of legal experience, Jim focuses his practice on all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody, support modifications, as well as prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

Prior to founding The Peterson Firm, Jim worked for a large Atlanta law firm handling complicated corporation litigation cases. This invaluable experience provided Jim the knowledge and skills necessary to handle complex divorce cases involving significant assets and family businesses.

Jim has argued numerous landmark cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court and has earned a reputation for his ability to aggressively pursue a case in the courtroom when necessary, or amicably negotiate a settlement when the other party is ready to deal fairly. Most of Jim's clients come as referrals from other attorneys and former clients who know and respect his professional reputation. Jim's clients have ranged from stay-at-home parents to attorneys, business leaders, professional athletes, professors, airline pilots and doctors.

Consistently recognized as one of the top 5% of all divorce attorneys in the State of Georgia, Jim has been named to the prestigious Super Lawyers list as published in Atlanta Magazine every year since 2008 and has been named as a member of the "Georgia Elite" by Georgia Trend Magazine every year since 2008.

Jim is married and has two children. His wife, Suzanne, teaches at The Paideia School in Atlanta. His son and daughter attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is an avid cyclist, runner and triathlete, and he has competed in numerous marathons, century bike races, four Ironman Triathlons and three half-Ironman Triathlons.

HONORS:

• 2019 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2018 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2018 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2017 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2017 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2016 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2016 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2015 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2015 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2014 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2014 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2014 AVVO Client Choice Award

• 2013 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2013 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2012 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2012 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2011 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2011 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2010 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2010 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2009 Georgia Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine

• 2009 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• 2008 Top Attorneys in Georgia, Super Lawyers Magazine

• Member of Mississippi College Law Review (1982 - 1984)

• State Bar of Georgia Bar Services Committee (1985 - 1994)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

• State Bar of Georgia (Admitted 1984)

• Family Law Section State Bar of Georgia (Admitted in 1984)

• Family Law Section Atlanta Bar Association

• Lawyers Club of Atlanta

• Old War Horse Club

EDUCATION:

• Mississippi College, School of Law (JD, 1984)

• Emory University LLM in Taxation (1984 - 1986)

• Appalachian State University (BA, 1980)