Katherine L. McArthur

Founding Partner and Board-Certified Georgia Trial Attorney

For more than four decades, Katherine “Kathy” McArthur has represented people with catastrophic injuries and families pursuing wrongful death claims. 

Her practice focuses on truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, premises liability, and other serious injury cases across Georgia.

Her four board certifications include certification in Truck Accident Law, a credential held by fewer than 10 Georgia attorneys. Based in Macon, she leads McArthur Law Firm’s eight-attorney team while representing clients statewide.

Under her leadership, McArthur Law Firm has recovered more than $450 million across its practice areas. Past results do not guarantee or predict the outcome of another case.

A Georgia Trial Practice Built Over More Than Four Decades

Kathy began practicing law in Georgia in 1980. Since then, she has built her career around cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, technical medical evidence, and losses that may continue for years.

Her work includes much more than reviewing an accident report or medical bill. A Georgia catastrophic injury case may involve corporate records, commercial insurance policies, medical specialists, future-care projections, employment evidence, and testimony about how the injury changed the client’s daily life.

Part of that analysis involves bringing those pieces together. She studies the records, identifies weaknesses before the defense relies on them, and develops a clear account of what happened and what the loss means for the client.

That preparation has also shaped her reputation among other lawyers. Peers have described Kathy as a lawyer’s lawyer, reflecting the trust attorneys place in her judgment when a case involves serious injuries, medical questions, or substantial trial risk.

Board-Certified in Four Areas of Law

Four specialty certifications reflect Kathy’s experience in trucking litigation, medical malpractice, civil trials, and broader civil practice. Board certification requires an attorney to satisfy standards involving experience, professional references, continuing legal education, and examination.

Truck Accident Law

In 2025, Kathy became board-certified in Truck Accident Law through the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Fewer than 10 attorneys in Georgia hold this certification.

Truck accident cases may involve federal safety rules, electronic logging data, vehicle records, commercial insurance, company hiring practices, and several businesses connected to the same trip. 

Board certification reflects focused experience with the issues that separate trucking litigation from a standard car accident claim.

In these cases, the analysis extends beyond the driver’s conduct. It may also address driver qualifications, service hours, maintenance, cargo handling, dispatch decisions, and the companies responsible for putting the truck on the road.

Medical Malpractice Law

Board certification in Medical Malpractice Law followed through the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys in 2025.

Medical malpractice cases require a close review of medical records, treatment decisions, professional standards, and causation. 

This background also supports Kathy’s work in catastrophic injury cases involving complicated diagnoses, disputed prognoses, and long-term care needs.

Civil Trial Law

Kathy has held board certification in Civil Trial Law through the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 2005. This certification reflects substantial civil trial experience and an independent review of an attorney’s qualifications. 

Trial experience matters even when a claim settles because both parties evaluate how the evidence may appear before a judge or jury.

Civil Practice Advocacy

Since 2012, Kathy has also held board certification in Civil Practice Advocacy through the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Civil Practice Advocacy addresses the broader work required to prepare and litigate civil cases. 

That work includes case analysis, discovery, motion practice, depositions, negotiation, and trial preparation.

What Kathy’s Approach Looks Like in a Serious Injury Case

Every serious injury case begins with a close review of the facts and the proof needed to support them. Kathy does not rely on assumptions, slogans, or a standard formula.

Depending on the claim, her work may include:

• Identifying every person or business whose conduct contributed to the injury.
• Reviewing medical records for a clear account of diagnosis, treatment, limitations, and future needs.
• Examining insurance policies and corporate relationships for available sources of recovery.
• Working with qualified professionals when a case requires medical, technical, vocational, or economic analysis.
• Preparing the evidence for negotiation while remaining ready to present the case in court.

This method gives the client’s losses a factual structure. It also allows the legal team to address disputes about fault, medical causation, future care, and financial harm with records rather than general claims.

Representing People With Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injury cases involve consequences that may remain long after the lawsuit ends. A brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, organ damage, or permanent mobility limitation may alter a person’s work, independence, medical care, and family responsibilities.

Part of the representation involves evaluating both present losses and supported future needs. Depending on the case, physicians, rehabilitation professionals, vocational specialists, economists, or life-care planners may help document those needs.

The purpose is to show the full course of the injury. A hospital record may explain the diagnosis, but it may not describe the equipment, assistance, treatment, or employment changes the person may face later.

Representing Families After a Wrongful Death

A wrongful death case requires careful attention to both the legal claim and the family behind it. Georgia law may divide the available claims between qualifying family members and the deceased person’s estate.

The analysis includes determining who has authority to bring each claim, which losses belong to the family, and which losses belong to the estate. Income history, family relationships, medical expenses, funeral costs, and the circumstances of the death may also shape the case.

No legal proceeding replaces the person who died. The claim provides a formal way to seek accountability and address the financial value Georgia law assigns to the loss.

Leading an Eight-Attorney Georgia Personal Injury Firm

Kathy founded our firm in Macon and developed it into an eight-attorney personal injury practice serving clients throughout Georgia. We now have offices in Macon, Atlanta, and Warner Robins.

She remains involved in our legal work while mentoring our attorneys. Her leadership emphasizes detailed preparation, direct client relationships, and careful case selection rather than a high-volume model.

That approach reflects the character of the firm she built. Our clients work with a focused legal team that takes time to understand the medical evidence, financial losses, and personal consequences behind the claim.

Leadership Within Georgia’s Legal Community

Service to the legal profession has remained part of Kathy’s career. Her leadership roles involve trial advocacy, attorney education, and professional responsibility.

Leadership Roles

• President of the Georgia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2003.
• President of the William A. Bootle American Inn of Court from 2003 through 2004.
• National Board Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates from 2006 through 2008.
• Special Master for disciplinary matters with the State Bar of Georgia since 2009.

Professional Associations

• Champion Member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association since 1993.
• Member of the American Association for Justice since 1993.
• Member of the Macon Bar Association since 1980.
• Member of the Middle Georgia Trial Lawyers Association since 1995.

These positions reflect decades of participation in Georgia’s trial-lawyer community and the professional standards governing legal practice.

Teaching and Sharing Trial Experience

Through continuing legal education programs and trial demonstrations, Kathy has taught other attorneys about courtroom practice and case preparation. 

Her presentations have addressed jury trials, medical malpractice, motor-vehicle liability, employer responsibility, expert witnesses, and legal ethics.

Selected topics have included:

• Preparing cases for trial rather than settlement.
• Evaluating medical negligence claims.
• Working with expert witnesses.
• Trying cases before rural and urban juries.
• Holding employers responsible for careless drivers.
• Addressing liability involving distracted driving and cellphone use.
• Managing motions and evidentiary issues before trial.

Her professional education work also includes participation in American Board of Trial Advocates Masters in Trial programs in several states. These programs use courtroom demonstrations to teach trial techniques to other attorneys.

Distinguished Fellowships

Professional organizations have selected Kathy for several fellowships, including:

• Life Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
• Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
• Fellow of the International Society of Barristers.

Fellowship criteria differ by organization. These memberships generally reflect peer selection, trial experience, professional conduct, or contributions to the legal profession.

Awards and Professional Recognition

Legal rating and peer-review organizations have recognized Kathy throughout her career.

Her verified recognitions include:

• Selected to Georgia Super Lawyers in 2005 and each year from 2007 through 2026.
• Named to the Georgia Super Lawyers Top 10 list from 2019 through 2026.
• Named to the Georgia Super Lawyers Top 100 list from 2018 through 2026.
• Named to the Georgia Super Lawyers Top 50 Women list from 2015 through 2026.
• Named to the 2026 Georgia Super Lawyers Top 5 list for plaintiff personal injury attorneys.
• AV Preeminent peer-review rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell use their own selection and rating methods. No award or rating guarantees a result in a particular case.

In February 2024, Kathy appeared on the cover of Georgia Super Lawyers Magazine. She has also discussed legal and public-safety issues through national and Georgia media appearances.

Court Admissions

Kathy is admitted to practice in Georgia state courts and several federal courts.

Her admissions include:

• Supreme Court of Georgia.
• Georgia Court of Appeals.
• Supreme Court of the United States.
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Education

Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976. She graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors and received recognition through the Order of the Old Well and the Order of St. Andrews.

While at UNC, she served as co-chair of the university’s Honor Court. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1979.

Frequently Asked Questions About Katherine L. McArthur

Speak With McArthur Law Firm About a Serious Injury Claim

Kathy McArthur and the attorneys at McArthur Law Firm represent people facing catastrophic injuries and families pursuing wrongful death claims across Georgia. Our firm also handles truck accident and medical malpractice cases involving detailed technical and medical evidence.

Call the Macon office at 478-238-6600 to discuss a potential claim. Past results do not guarantee or predict the outcome of another case.

McArthur Law Firm – Main Macon Office

6055 Lakeside Commons Dr #400

Macon, GA 31210

Phone: 478-238-6600