Legal Division/GBI Service of Process
Legal Division/GBI Service of Process
The Division is supervised by the Legal Division Director and is divided into two sections: the Legal Advisor Section and the Privacy and Compliance Section.
The Legal Advisor Section provides a full range of legal services to the GBI’s three operational divisions and serves as the liaison to the Georgia Department of Law. The Legal Advisor Section is responsible for legal oversight and research in operational matters such as policy, administrative issues, personnel law, and the rules of criminal law, procedure, and evidence. Attorneys within the Legal Advisor Section draft, review, and analyze current and proposed legislation, policies and directives, contracts and memoranda of law, and oversee the handling of subpoenas. The section disseminates legal updates to GBI personnel and offers legal training throughout the Bureau. Additionally, attorneys from the Legal Division provide legal and prosecutorial support to the GBI and local jurisdictions to combat public corruption, election crimes, human trafficking, and criminal street gangs. At the request of an appropriate agency and with the approval of the Director, GBI attorneys are authorized to serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys, Assistant District Attorneys, or Assistant Solicitors General. They serve as a legal resource for law enforcement and prosecutors’ offices across Georgia.
The Compliance Section ensures the GBI’s compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, rules, and policies. The Open Records Unit responds to requests for information received pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act and oversees the GBI’s Archives. Additionally, the Compliance Section is responsible for maintaining national accreditations and ensuring state certifications.
GBI Service of Process
Effective July 1, 2023, and pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-21-35, the following individuals shall serve as designees for service of process for civil actions brought against the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and/or the GBI Director in his official capacity:
- Laura McDonald – Legal Director
- Lindsay Gardner – Senior Managing Attorney
- Aristides Passas – Managing Attorney
- Philip Curtis – Managing Attorney
- Cheryl Payton – Open Records Manager
- Brandon Miley – Legal Office Manager
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, Georgia 30034-3830