Attorney

Donna Negus Crawford

 Ms. Crawford graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1996.  Following graduation, Ms. Crawford practiced for several years in various areas involving tax expertise, including municipal finance and employee compensation and benefits.  For seven years, she practiced at one of Atlanta's largest and most prestigious law firms, Troutman Sanders LLP (now known as Troutman Pepper).  While Ms. Crawford gained experience working with large clients on complex, specialized matters during her time at Troutman Sanders, she also spent eight years working with smaller businesses on general corporate and transactional matters at reputable firms in West Georgia.  Practicing law in both large and small firms for over twenty-five years has provided Ms. Crawford with the experience and insight to quickly and efficiently address the legal needs of smaller clients while also enabling her to skillfully tackle complex matters.  Her practice seamlessly blends highly technical expertise with practical, real world advice.

Ms. Crawford’s practice focuses on counseling businesses regarding general corporate legal matters.  She routinely assists clients with the selection and formation of the most appropriate legal entities for their new businesses, the preparation and negotiation of buy-sell and shareholder agreements between co-owners of businesses, the purchase and sale of existing businesses, succession planning, and the dissolution and liquidation of businesses.  Ms. Crawford has extensive experience with for-profit corporations, non-profit corporations, and limited liability companies.  In addition, as a significant part of her practice, she advises clients regarding business-related contracts, including covenants not to compete, confidentiality agreements, independent contractor agreements, employment contracts, and separation agreements.

 Education 

• University of Alabama School of Law

  • LL.M. in Tax, Summa Cum Laude, August 2011

• University of Georgia School of Law

  • J.D., Cum Laude, May 1996

  • Welborn B. Cody Scholarship

  • Georgia Law Review, Editorial Board, 1994-95; Articles Editor, 1995-96

• Southern Methodist University

  • B.A., Summa Cum Laude, May 1993

  • Phi Beta Kappa

 Community Involvement 

• Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville / Douglas County Board Member (2014 - 2018)

• City of Douglasville Planning and Zoning Board Member (2011 - 2015)

• Douglas County Chamber of Commerce Board Member (2011- 2014)

• Douglasville Downtown Development Authority

  • Board Member 2006 - 2010

  • Treasurer 2006 - 2008

  • Co-Chair 2008 - 2010

  • Organization Committee Chairperson 2006 - 2007

  • Design Committee Chairperson 2007 - 2010

• Recipient of Donald Bennett Memorial Award for Historic Preservation Efforts in the City of Douglasville, 2010

• Leadership Douglas, Class of 2006

• State Bar of Georgia

 Presentations 

• “Choosing the Appropriate Business Entity: Tax Advantages and Liability Protection,” American Business Women’s Association, Douglas County Chapter, Monthly Meeting, June 2010.

• “Legal Issues of the Small Business,” University of West Georgia Small Business Development Center, Entrepreneur Class, Legal Aspects of Small Business, April and October 2006 and October 2007, 2008 and 2009.

• “Disciplining & Terminating Employees: Major Pitfalls and Avoidance Strategies,” Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, Greystone Power Luncheon Series, February 2007.

• “Addressing the Legal Issues of the Small Business,”  Douglasville Downtown Development Authority, Spring Training Series, April 2006.

• “Choosing the Appropriate Business Unit: Tax Advantages and Liability Protection,” West Georgia Green Association, November Meeting, November 2005.

• “Same Gender Marriages: Issues and Implications in Employee Benefit Plans,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Recent Developments in Employment Law, September 2004 and Worldwide Employee Benefits Network, Luncheon Meeting, September 2004.

• “What Employers Really Need to Know About Severance Plans,” Worldwide Employee Benefits Network, Boot Camp, March 2004.

• “Employee Attraction and Retention,” Troutman Sanders LLP, Compensation & Employee Benefits Breakfast Seminar, November 2000.