Emeritus

James Polk McLain

James Polk McLain (September 27, 1923-November 2, 2008) lived 85 full years as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and trusted counselor. Like many young men his age, he served his country in the Pacific theatre during World War II attaining the rank of Lieutenant.

Upon returning from the war, he enrolled in the University of Georgia and graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and was honored by being inducted in the Psi Chi honor society. Following graduation, he enrolled in the University of Georgia School of Law. He graduated with a J.D. degree and passed the Bar in 1950. He began working for C&S Bank after graduation before organizing the firm now known as McLain & Merritt with Marvin H. Shoob in 1957.

Jim McLain was very active in the Atlanta community and beyond. He served on the Boards of Trustees of Oglethorpe University, Columbia Theological Seminary, Queens College, Presbyterian College, the Atlanta Humane Society, and the Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center. And he was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a Master Falconer. Mr. McLain was also active in professional activities and served as President of the Atlanta Lawyers Club; President of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Atlanta Lawyer Foundation; as Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and was a law instructor at Georgia State University.

Mr. McLain was a member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and served as a Deacon and an Elder; served as the Chairman of the Board of Deacons; and was on the Board of Trustees of the Peachtree Presbyterian Trust Fund.

M. David Merritt

M. David Merritt was a leader in the Georgia insurance defense bar, having tried hundreds of personal injury cases to jury verdict. Mr. Merritt is a 1955 graduate of the University of Alabama, where he played defensive end for the Crimson Tide. He is a 1964 graduate of Emory Law School, where he served as Student Editor-in-Chief of the Georgia Bar Journal. Mr. Merritt is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, Lawyers Club of Atlanta and Defense Research Institute. Mr. Merritt practiced law for over 50 years, and actively practiced with McLain & Merritt for 48 of those years.

Chris Olmstead

Chris Olmstead was a trusted leader in the practice of family law, not only at McLain & Merritt, but in the state of Georgia. He was awarded the Jack P. Turner Award by the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia in 2005, the highest honor bestowed upon a family law practitioner. In addition, Mr. Olmstead was named by his peers as one of the top 100 lawyers in the State of Georgia in both 2005 and 2006. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, where he also served as President of the Georgia chapter and is a past chairperson of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Mr. Olmstead is a 1964 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and a 1969 graduate of Emory Law School.