M. Eric Eberhardt

M. Eric Eberhardt is a trial specialist who has tried and resolved thousands of cases in the Athens area over the past 20+ years of serving the community.

Eric is a 1993 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law and was admitted to practice law in the State of Georgia the same year. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Furman University in 1990 where he was also a lettermen in Football and member of the 1988 Division I-AA National Champions.

After graduating from Georgia Law, Eric initially practiced in the area of Insurance Defense before becoming a State Prosecutor. As an Assistant District Attorney, he tried and prosecuted the most serious criminal cases, including death penalty cases, homicides, felony sexual assaults, kidnappings, armed robberies, and felony DUIs. Eric still serves as the Traffic Court Solicitor in Oconee County, and has both received and given specialized training on DUIs.

After a successful career as a State Prosecutor and a short term as a partner in another Athens law firm, Eric formed the law firm of Eberhardt & Hale with his current law partner, Bill Hale. In their practice, Eric successfully and effectively represents both civil and criminal clients.

Eric's criminal practice covers all levels of criminal matters in local, state, and federal courts, and he has obtained dismissals and acquittals for countless clients in cases ranging from public intoxication to DUI to murder. When a dismissal or acquittal is not possible, Eric works to ensure that his clients receive the fairest resolution available.

In his civil practice, Eric has effectively helped clients, who have suffered serious physical injury or have suffered or are facing grave financial loss, to obtain the financial recovery they were due. These results for his clients have been accomplished through the method that best served them, be it out of court settlements, mediation, or trials.

In 2003, Athens Magazine did a profile on Eric as a young, successful professional who chose Athens and Northeast Georgia over the larger Metro area to apply his legal skills.

Eric is admitted to practice law in all courts in the State of Georgia, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the Georgia Supreme Court.

Eric is married to Deena Eberhardt, who is a teacher in Athens, and they have two daughters, Madison and Meaghan (M.E.). His family is a committed member of an Athens church, and Eric has served with a number of Athens volunteer organizations he is a Board Member and past President of the Athens Area Habitat For Humanity; he has been an attorney coach for the Athens Academy Mock Trial Team (three State Semifinal finishes and four Region titles); and he has coached several sports at either the local, state, or southeast regional level.