Savannah-based HunterMaclean is the leading business law firm in Georgia outside of Atlanta, and the largest law firm in the "other Georgia."  For over 100 years, the firm has been the leading legal voice for businesses locating or expanding into the coastal Georgia area.  With two offices and over 50 practicing attorneys, HunterMaclean has extensive experience representing businesses and individuals in all areas of litigation, and in corporate, tax, real estate, business planning and maritime law. Its clients include Fortune 500 manufacturing companies, banks and hospitals, professional service organizations, an industrial development authority, and nonprofit corporations.

The firm's economic development team of Brooks Stillwell, Drew Ernst, Harold Yellin, Scott Tobin and Triece Gignilliat Ziblut have substantial experience in all phases of economic development including site identification, land acquisition, environmental permitting, zoning, ad valorem taxation, industrial incentives, real estate financing and leasing.  All have been directly involved for many years in developing public-private partnerships with state and local governments to produce growth for the region. 

Some of the firm's notable economic development projects include:

• Currently, representing Batson-Cook Company and several other companies in the development of News Place on Ellis Square in the Savannah historic district.  The project, which will open in the summer of 2008, includes a city-owned 1075-space subterranean parking garage, being constructed under a historic square, the restoration of Ellis Square, construction of a new hotel, restoration of the historic Savannah Morning News buildings for a Ruth's Chris Steak House and other retail and restaurant uses, and development of 40 luxury condominium units facing Savannah River.  www.newsplacesavannah.com.  
  
• Representing Grumman Corporation, and later its successor Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in locating its aerospace manufacturing facilities in Savannah in the 1950's.  Gulfstream is now the leading employer in the Savannah area, and remains a valued firm client.
  
• Representing Fort Howard Corporation (now Georgia Pacific Corporation) in locating and constructing the world's most advanced recycled tissue mill, a $750 million investment in Effingham County, Georgia.  Partner Brooks Stillwell represented the company  over several years, and handled land assembly of over thirty separate parcels, governmental relations, local property tax and land use issues, and negotiations with state agencies concerning road construction and environmental permitting. 
  
• Representing CSX Realty, the developer of the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort  on Hutchinson Island, just across the Savannah River from historic downtown Savannah. Over a 12-year period, HunterMaclean partners Drew Ernst and Brooks Stillwell handled land acquisition, environmental permitting, zoning and land use issues, governmental relations including the annexation of the property into the City of Savannah, negotiation of a contract with the City which enabled irrigation of the golf course on the island with treated effluent, and formation of a public-private partnership which developed the infrastructure for the island, and the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, resulting in a combined investment of over $200 million.
  
• Representing Great Dane Trailers in its growth and expansion projects for over 50 years.  
  
• Representing the owners of Oglethorpe Mall, the largest regional shopping center in South Georgia, in developing the mall in 1968, and in its expansions over a 40 year period.
  
• Representing the Savannah Economic Development Authority as its special environmental counsel in the development of Crossroads Business Center.  Partner Drew Ernst was successful in obtaining a first-of-its-kind wetland permit pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which led to the pre-permitting of the wetland development within a 1,750-acre mixed-use industrial park. 
  
• Representing W.E.T., inc. in developing the country's first permitted commercial wetland mitigation bank in Screven County, Georgia, and another company in developing a second mitigation bank at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit near Conyers, Georgia, Southeast of Atlanta.