What Stokes Carmichael & Ernst does

Stokes Carmichael & Ernst LLP (SCE Law) is an Atlanta, Georgia-based limited liability partnership founded in 1972 that provides civil and business litigation legal services across four practice areas: Commercial Law/Collections/Creditor Bankruptcy, Business Law/Litigation, Employment Law/Litigation, and General Civil Litigation. The firm serves a horizontal client base ranging from sole proprietors and small/mid-sized businesses to large multinational corporations, with particular depth in representing financial institutions (banks, lenders, creditors) and the State of Georgia as Special Assistant Attorney General. Its practice emphasizes creditor-side commercial collections, bank loan workouts, bankruptcy representation, foreclosure proceedings, employment defense, contract and commercial lease disputes, and general civil matters at both trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts across the United States.

The firm operates as a traditional professional services partnership with four active attorneys (Managing Partner Michael J. Ernst, Senior Partner William K. Carmichael, Partner Thomas V. Keough, and Counsel J. Griff Lucas) supported by paralegals and administrative staff. SCE Law does not develop proprietary technology products; instead, its deliverables are attorney-provided legal services supplemented by branded content including the LawView newsletter and SMS-based client communication. All partners hold Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent ratings, and the firm carries recognized designations including Silver Preferred Service Provider to the Community Bankers Association of Georgia and Special Assistant Attorney General status for the State of Georgia.

The revenue model is professional services billings against engagement-based quotes; pricing is not publicly disclosed and consultations are scheduled by phone or online form. Client acquisition relies on referrals, professional networks, direct outreach, and content marketing (newsletter, website, social media). The firm is privately held with no external investment, no funding rounds, no subsidiaries, and no parent company, operating as an independent partnership since its founding.

Name

Stokes Carmichael & Ernst

Legal name

Stokes Carmichael & Ernst LLP

Website

https://scelaw.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stokes Carmichael & Ernst LLP is an Atlanta-based civil and business litigation law firm founded in 1972, serving sole proprietors to multinational corporations with creditor-side commercial, business, employment, and general civil litigation across state and federal courts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Other Legal Services (54119)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Employment & Labor Law (BPAHAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Personal Injury & Insurance Defense (BPAHAAAM)

Keywords

• Civil business litigation
• Commercial collections law
• Creditor bankruptcy representation
• Employment law litigation
• Bank loan workouts

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services: Professional legal services billed to clients for civil and business law litigation, commercial collections, business law, employment law, and general civil litigation representation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Stokes Carmichael & Ernst LLP is a civil and business litigation law firm providing legal representation to businesses and individuals across four core practice areas: Commercial Law/Collections/Creditor Bankruptcy, Business Law/Litigation, Employment Law/Litigation, and General Civil Litigation. Services include creditor representation, commercial collections, bank loan workouts, bankruptcies, foreclosures, business formation, contracts, commercial lease disputes, employment advice and litigation, and general civil matters. The firm serves clients ranging from sole proprietorships to large multinational corporations from its Atlanta headquarters.

Product overview

Stokes Carmichael & Ernst LLP is a civil and business litigation law firm offering a unified portfolio of legal services organized into four core practice areas: (1) Commercial Law | Collections | Creditor Bankruptcy, which includes Bank Loan Workouts, Commercial Collections, Creditor Representation in Bankruptcy, Mechanic's & Materialman's Lien Litigation, Personal Property Foreclosures/Replevins, and Real Estate Foreclosure; (2) Business Law | Litigation, which includes Business Advice, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Commercial Lease Law | Litigation, and Contracts; (3) Employment Law | Litigation, which includes Employment Advice, Employment Contracts, and Employment Litigation; and (4) General Civil Litigation. The firm also offers supplementary services including a free LawView Newsletter and SMS text messaging for client communication. The practice areas are integrated under the firm's 'Real World Legal Solutions' and 'Power of Legal Knowledge' brand philosophies, serving clients from sole proprietorships to multinational corporations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Law, Collections, Creditor Bankruptcy Legal representation for creditors in all phases of collections, litigation, bankruptcy, foreclosures, workouts, and liens. This is the firm's core practice area encompassing bank loan workouts, commercial collections, creditor representation in bankruptcy, mechanic's and materialman's lien litigation, personal property foreclosures/replevins, and real estate foreclosure.
• Bank Loan Workouts Legal services for banks and financial institutions to recover payments from debtors in default, including reviewing agreements and maximizing asset or collateral recovery.
• Commercial Collections Legal representation for banks, lenders, financial service providers, and creditors in commercial collections claims involving promissory notes, installment contracts, bank loans, and loan defaults.
• Creditor Representation in Bankruptcy Legal representation for financial institutions, lenders, and creditors in complex bankruptcy matters, including automatic stay issues, adequate protection, and non-dischargeable debts.
• Mechanic's & Materialman's Lien Litigation Legal services protecting subcontractors and vendors through creating, recording, and enforcing mechanic's and materialmen's liens, including Federal Miller Act claims.
• Personal Property Foreclosures/Replevins Legal representation for banks and financial institutions in personal property foreclosure proceedings and replevin proceedings to recover unpaid commercial debt.
• Real Estate Foreclosure Legal representation for financial institutions seeking foreclosures on commercial properties including shopping centers, commercial buildings, and commercial land.
• Business Law & Litigation Comprehensive legal services for businesses including counseling, representation, and support in all phases of business law, covering business advice, business formation, business litigation, commercial lease law, and contracts.
• Business Advice Practical and legal advice to business clients in all phases of their company's life, covering business law, creditor rights, employment law, and more.
• Business Formation Legal counsel for business formation, helping clients establish their businesses with practical and legal experience.
• Business Litigation Advocacy and courtroom representation for businesses in complex business disputes, litigation, and related matters.
• Commercial Lease Law & Litigation Legal representation for commercial landlords and property management companies in Metro Atlanta, including dispossessory proceedings, suits for rent, and landlord-tenant disputes.
• Contracts Full spectrum of contract representation including drafting, analysis, and litigation for contracts and agreements.
• Employment Law & Litigation Legal representation and counsel for employers in all areas of employment law including advice, policies, and courtroom representation. Covers employment advice, employment contracts, and employment litigation.
• Employment Advice Legal counsel for employers on hiring, retention, firing, management practices, employment policies, wage & hour issues, and union relations.
• Employment Contracts Legal services for drafting and analyzing employment contracts, restrictive covenants, non-compete clauses, trade secrets protection, and severance agreements.
• Employment Litigation Representation for employers in lawsuits and arbitrations involving employment litigation, wage & hour claims, wrongful termination, discrimination, and restrictive covenants.
• General Civil Litigation Legal representation for individuals and businesses in a broad range of civil litigation matters including general litigation, personal injury, and contract disputes.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Community Bankers Association of GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCE Law is a Silver Preferred Service Provider to the Community Bankers Association of Georgia, providing specialized legal services to community banks including commercial collections, bank loan workouts, and creditor representation.
• State of GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCE Law serves as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, representing several state agencies in legal matters.

Scale indicators3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC: Large full-service firm with Atlanta office and strong creditor rights, commercial litigation, and banking litigation practices. Competes for the same commercial collections and business litigation clients at a larger scale.
• Fisher Phillips: Large national employment law firm with an Atlanta office. Competes for the same employer-side employment law work as SCE Law's dedicated employment practice, with broader geographic reach and resources.
• Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Large national labor and employment law firm with an Atlanta office. Direct overlap with SCE Law's Employment Law practice, serving similar employer clients with similar services.
• Jackson Lewis P.C. National employment law firm with Atlanta presence. A direct competitor for the same employer-side employment law matters, with broader scale and resources.

Direct peers

• Swift Currie McGhee & Hiers: Atlanta-based litigation firm with comparable commercial litigation, insurance defense, and business law practices. Direct regional competitor for mid-market business clients in the Southeast.
• Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Atlanta-based firm with a broad litigation and business law practice that competes directly for the same regional commercial clients. Has a much larger footprint but shares the same core practice areas.
• Drew Eckl & Farnham, LLP: Atlanta-based litigation firm with overlapping commercial litigation, insurance defense, and general civil litigation practice. Comparable regional positioning and client base.
• Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP: Atlanta-based civil litigation boutique with comparable practice areas in commercial litigation, business law, tort defense, and appellate work. Similar size, similar regional footprint, and directly competes for the same Atlanta-based business clients.
• Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP: Atlanta-based full-service litigation firm with strong commercial litigation, insurance defense, and professional liability practices. Direct competitor for the same business and creditor client base.
• Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP: Atlanta-based employment law firm specializing in employer-side representation in labor, employment, and workers' compensation matters. Directly competes with SCE Law's Employment Law practice group.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SCELAW
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stokes-carmichael-&-ernst-llp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stokes Carmichael & Ernst