Garvis L. Sams Jr. - a Marietta, Georgia (GA) Local Government Law Lawyer

Marietta Local Government Law Lawyer

Updated: 04/30/2026

Areas of Practice

Local Government Law 20%
Condemnation / Eminent Domain Law 20%
Real Estate Acquisitions and Development 20%
Land Use, Real Estate and Civil Litigation 35%
Estate Planning and Administration 5%

Litigation: 35%

Attorney Information

Overview

Garvis L. Sams, Jr., Managing Partner of Sams, Larkin, Huff & Balli, LLP has practiced law for thirty-five (35) years and is admitted for practice before the Georgia Supreme Court, Georgia Court of Appeals. U.S. District Court, U.S.Court of Appeals (Eleventh Circuit) and the United States Supreme Court. His leadership within the community and of Sams, Larkin, Huff & Balli, LLP continues the tradition beginning in 1956 by Mr. Sams' father, Garvis L. Sams. Sr., whose law practice was also located in Marietta. Georgia. Mr. Sams, a lifelong resident of the City of Marietta has three (3) grown daughters a grandson and resides there with his wife, Cloma.

Mr. Sams is experienced in all areas of general civil trial practice and handles real estate litigation, construction litigation, eminent domain proceedings, estate planning and administration, rezoning and entitlement matters and land acquisition and development issues. Additionally, Mr. Sams and other attorneys within Sams, Larkin, Huff & Balli, LLP are registered lobbyists in the State of Georgia and have represented local governments in zoning and condemnation matters, tax issues, civil litigation, risk management and personnel matters.

Mr. Sams was named one of Georgia's Super Lawyers in the field of Land Use/Zoning in 2011 and 2012.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Garvis L. Sams Jr. included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Georgia Legal Leader (James Magazine), 2005 - 2007
Legion of Honor (Marietta Kiwanis Club), 2006
Supreme Court of Georgia Mentor, 2008 - 2014
Named one of Georgia's Best Lawyers by Fulton County Daily Report, 2009
Named as one of Georgia's Super Lawyers (Land Use/Zoning), 2011 & 2012
Recognized by the Georgia State Senate in 2014 for more than 30 years of legal excellence and service to his clients as one of the preeminent zoning and land development attorneys in the metro Atlanta area

Other Sources of Feedback About Garvis L. Sams Jr.

Included on the 2023 Georgia Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2022 Georgia Super Lawyers list
2012 Georgia Super Lawyers list
2011 Georgia Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- Woodrow Wilson College of Law, Atlanta, Georgia, 1978
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 1975
  B.A.
  Major: English Literature

Current Employment Position(s)

```
Managing Partner
```

Past Positions

County Attorney for Cobb County, Georgia, 1979 - 1987

References

```
Bank of North Georgia
```
```
Bank of America
```
```
United Community Bank
```

Classes and Seminars

Various Courses Related to Zoning and Land Use Law and Litigation, Institute of Continuing Legal Education
Various Courses Related to Zoning, Planning and Code Enforcement, Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators
Zoning & Condemnation Seminar, Cobb County Bar Association

Representative Clients

```
Ashton Woods Homes
```
```
Branch Capital 
```
```
BrandsMart USA
```
```
Chatham Neighborhoods
```
```
Columbia Properties, Inc.
```
```
Coro Realty Advisors
```
```
David Weekly Homes
```
```
Fuqua Acquisition
```
```
Glock Inc. 
```
```
Green Street Properties
```
```
Jamestown Properties
```
```
JLL Realty
```
```
Lowe's Home Centers, Inc.
```
```
Mall Properties, Inc. 
```
```
North American Properties
```
```
North Georgia Presbyterian Homes Inc.
```
```
Pace Academy
```
```
Pacific Group
```
```
Patrick Malloy Communities
```
```
Pollo Tropical
```
```
Prime Interest, Inc.
```
```
RB Capital, LLC
```
```
RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc.
```
```
Ryland Homes
```
```
The Sembler Company
```
```
The Shopping Center Group
```
```
Trammel Crowe Residential
```
```
Venture Homes
```

Ancillary Businesses

```
Registered Lobbyist, State of Georgia
```

Bar Admissions

Georgia, 1979
U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 1979
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1979
Georgia Court of Appeals, 1979
U.S. Supreme Court, 1982

Other Affiliations

Cobb County Bar Association, 1983 - 1984 (Former President YLD & Trustee)
Cobb County Bar Association, 1979 - Present
American Bar Association, 1979 - Present
State of Georgia Bar Association, 1979 - Present
Marietta Kiwanis Club, 1988 - 1989 (President )
Leadership Cobb, 1983 - 1984
Honorary Commanders Association, 1984 - 1985
Kennesaw Wellstar Regional Hospice, 1986 - 1987 (Chairman)
Kennesaw Wellstar Regional Hospice, 1983 - 1987
Red Cross Advisory Board, 1986 - 1987
Wellstar Hospice Advisory Board, 2010 - Present

Be the first to write a review!

There are currently no reviews for Garvis L. Sams Jr.. Be the first to share your experience.

Write a Review

Photo

Contact

Marietta, GA

376 Powder Springs Street
Suite 100
Marietta, GA 30064

Directions

Phone: 770-884-4819

Fax: 770-426-6583

Email: Send a message

Websites:

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations

Contact Sams, Larkin & Huff, LLP Today

First Name (Required)

Last Name (Required)

Email your@email.com (Required)

Phone xxx-xxx-xxxx (Required)

ZIP Code

Tell Us About Your Legal Need (Required)

999 characters remaining

Preferred contact method

Send me a copy of this email

DISCLAIMER: By submitting this form you accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Disclaimer

Your Profile? Update Now

When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.

Garvis L. Sams Jr. - Marietta, GA