Robert Bourne

Professional Background

Attorney Robert E. Bourne is a seasoned trial lawyer with over 35 years of experience advocating for injured individuals. He focuses his practice on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, including automobile accidents, wrongful death claims, and workplace injury matters. Throughout his career, Mr. Bourne has built a reputation for skilled and compassionate representation, securing significant recoveries for clients and ensuring their rights are protected. He holds a Martindale-Hubbell “Distinguished” peer-review rating, an honor indicating he is widely respected by fellow attorneys for high professional achievement and ethical standards. Robert also hold a 10/10 rating on Avvo, a legal directory that rates attorneys based on client reviews and peer endorsements.

Mr. Bourne’s dedication to workers’ rights is deeply personal. Raised in Orange County, he worked in a factory assembling prefabricated chimneys before becoming a lawyer. After suffering a back injury on the job, he experienced firsthand the challenges injured workers face. This pivotal experience sparked his lifelong passion for workers’ compensation law and inspired him to champion the rights of injured employees. He carries that perspective into his legal practice, fighting to improve the system for those who have been hurt at work.

In addition to his extensive legal practice, Robert Bourne is committed to continual learning and excellence. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Georgia for his undergraduate studies, reflecting top academic honors. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law, launching a professional journey that has positively impacted thousands of clients across Georgia. Robert also achieved signifigant legal experience prior to graduating law school, including:

1989 - 1990 Law Clerk, The Honorable Michael Stoddard Cobb County State Court

1988 - 1989 Legal Intern, Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation

1987 - 1988 Legal Aide, Georgia House of Representatives Judiciary Committee

1985 - 1987 Legal Aide, Executive Counsel’s Office Governor Joe Frank Harris

Throughout his career, Mr. Bourne has been involved in numerous high-profile cases and has successfully represented clients in complex litigation matters. He has helped hundreds of injured Georgians recover settlements and verdicts, including multi-million dollar recoveries in cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and significant property damage.

Since 1990, Robert has been the managing partner of Bourne Law Firm, a firm he founded to provide dedicated legal representation to individuals facing the challenges of personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. Under his leadership, the firm has grown into a respected practice known for its commitment to clients and its track record of success. Bourne law has always focused on the needs of injured individuals and their families, providing personalized attention and aggressive advocacy to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

Speaking Engagements & Publications

Robert Bourne is a frequent speaker and educator in the legal community on topics of personal injury and workers’ compensation law. He has spoken at numerous Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars, bar conferences, and industry workshops, sharing his extensive knowledge with other attorneys. In these presentations, he educates fellow lawyers on strategic litigation practices, trial techniques, and developments in Georgia workers’ compensation law.

As a recognized expert in his field, Mr. Bourne has been invited to lecture at statewide programs – including seminars organized by the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and the annual Georgia Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference – to help practitioners stay current on evolving legal standards. He also contributes to professional publications and CLE course materials. Through his speaking engagements and written materials, Mr. Bourne demonstrates a commitment to improving the practice of law and mentoring other attorneys, ultimately advancing the standards of advocacy for injured individuals.

Leadership & Advocacy

Mr. Bourne has distinguished himself not only in court but also through leadership roles in professional organizations and public advocacy efforts. His contributions include:

• Former Vice President, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA): Served in the executive leadership of GTLA, which is Georgia’s leading organization of plaintiff trial attorneys dedicated to protecting the right to trial by jury and upholding a fair civil justice system. In this role, Mr. Bourne worked with fellow trial lawyers to promote justice for injury victims and to provide networking and education for attorneys statewide.

• Past President, GTLA Workers’ Compensation Section: Led the workers’ compensation section of GTLA, a specialized division of the association focused on the interests of injured workers and the attorneys who represent them. As section president, Mr. Bourne organized educational programs and initiatives to improve the practice of workers’ compensation law and to share best practices among claimant attorneys.

• Appointee, Governor’s Advisory Council for Workers’ Compensation: Appointed by Governor Roy Barnes, Mr. Bourne served on the Governor’s Advisory Council, a select committee of experts convened to advise Georgia’s governor on workers’ compensation policy and potential reforms. In this capacity, he contributed his frontline experience to recommendations aimed at improving the state’s workers’ compensation system for both employees and employers.

• Member, Chairman’s Advisory Council – State Board of Workers’ Compensation: Served on the Chairman’s Advisory Council of Georgia’s State Board of Workers’ Compensation. This council is a broad-based advisory body composed of judges, attorneys, medical professionals, insurance representatives, and other stakeholders who review and vet proposed changes to Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws and regulations. Mr. Bourne’s involvement on the council helped shape consensus recommendations on complex and potentially divisive issues affecting the $2 billion Georgia workers’ comp system, ensuring that any reforms considered are fair and well-balanced.

• Advocacy & Legislative Efforts: Outside of formal titles, Mr. Bourne has been a strong advocate for systemic improvements in workers’ compensation. He has spoken before the Georgia legislature on pending laws, using his real-world expertise to inform lawmakers about the impact of proposed changes on injured workers. Whether testifying in committee hearings or working behind the scenes with legislators, he consistently pushes for reforms that protect workers’ rights and improve access to benefits. This advocacy, combined with his leadership roles, underscores Mr. Bourne’s dedication to making the legal system more just and effective for those it serves.

By combining decades of legal experience with personal passion and community leadership, Robert Bourne provides clients with knowledgeable representation and genuine compassion. His professional biography reflects not only a history of legal success but also a deep commitment to justice both in and out of the courtroom – the qualities that make him a trusted attorney for those who have been injured and seek a champion for their rights.

Notable Cases

Over decades of practice, Mr. Bourne has handled numerous significant cases, including several that set important legal precedents or affirmed vital rights for injury victims. Notable examples include:

Massey v. Allstate Insurance Co. (2017): In this insurance coverage dispute, Mr. Bourne represented an injured motorist seeking uninsured motorist benefits under an umbrella policy. The Georgia Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s summary judgment for the insurer, siding with the plaintiff and allowing her uninsured motorist claim to proceed. This reversal in favor of the injured driver clarified policy coverage issues and ensured the availability of promised umbrella coverage for the accident victim.

Russ v. American Telephone & Telegraph (1997): Mr. Bourne successfully appealed on behalf of an injured AT&T employee whose workers’ compensation benefits had been wrongly denied by a lower court. In a published decision, the Georgia Court of Appeals found that the superior court had applied an improper standard of review and reinstated the claimant’s compensation award. This outcome protected the rights of the injured worker and affirmed the correct review standard for workers’ compensation cases, underscoring the principle that appellate courts will uphold workers’ benefits when supported by the evidence.

Frett v. State Farm (2020): In a landmark workers’ compensation case before the Supreme Court of Georgia, Mr. Bourne was part of the legal team that achieved a significant victory for injured employees. The case involved a worker who was hurt during a lunch break. The Georgia Supreme Court overruled an 85-year-old precedent that had previously barred compensation for injuries occurring during scheduled breaks, and reversed the lower courts’ denial of benefits. This watershed decision expanded protections for workers by recognizing that injuries on routine breaks can indeed “arise out of” employment, thereby entitling employees like Ms. Frett to workers’ compensation coverage.

Personal Interests

Outside the courtroom, Robert’s passion for justice is matched only by his love for the Georgia Bulldogs and the great outdoors. Robert lives in Forsyth County and enjoys spending time with his family, riding his motorcycle, and hiking.