Knowledge Center

Handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers
GMA's essential guide to serving in Georgia municipal office is getting a top-to-bottom revision. The Handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers is designed to help city elected officials navigate their responsibilities with confidence. Updated chapters are available now, covering ethics and conflicts of interest, suspension and removal of elected officials, and liability of public officials and cities.

Investing in Creativity: Perry Partners with Georgia Tech to Strengthen Local Arts Organizations
Across Georgia, cities are increasingly recognizing that arts and culture are not simply amenities—they are essential infrastructure. From activating downtown spaces to attracting visitors and supporting small businesses, creative initiatives play a central role in community vitality.

Georgia Supreme Court Restores Clarity for Municipal Liability Standards
The Georgia Supreme Court has vacated the Court of Appeals decision in City of Milton v. Chang and remanded, clarifying legal standards governing municipal liability for public rights-of-way. This ruling preserves the commonsense distinction between roadways intended for ordinary use of travel and adjacent areas within the right-of-way.

Municipal Law
Article
ADA Web Accessibility Deadlines Extended for Local Governments
April 17, 2026
The U.S. DOJ has issued an interim final rule extending key compliance deadlines for state and local governments under the ADA’s web accessibility requirements. Cities and other local governments with populations of 50,000 or more now have until April 26, 2027 to comply, while smaller jurisdictions and special districts have until April 26, 2028.

Municipal Law
Article
Brookhaven v. Ardent: A Final Victory for Municipal Decision-Making
April 17, 2026
After years of high-stakes litigation, the long-running case The Ardent Companies, LLC et al. City of Brookhaven has officially come to an end—and the final outcome is an important victory for municipal governments across Georgia.
Insurance & Risk Management | Municipal Law
Handbook for Mayors and Councilmemebrs
Liability of Public Officials and the City
Cities – as well as city officials – can be subject to liability in a variety of situations under both state and federal law. However, both cities and city officials are immune from certain types of liability in specific circumstances.

Arts & Culture | Downtown Development | Economic Development
Article
Investing in Creativity: Perry Partners with Georgia Tech to Strengthen Local Arts Organizations
March 17, 2026
Across Georgia, cities are increasingly recognizing that arts and culture are not simply amenities—they are essential infrastructure. From activating downtown spaces to attracting visitors and supporting small businesses, creative initiatives play a central role in community vitality.

Insurance & Risk Management | Municipal Law
Article
Georgia Supreme Court Restores Clarity for Municipal Liability Standards
March 12, 2026
The Georgia Supreme Court has vacated the Court of Appeals decision in City of Milton v. Chang and remanded, clarifying legal standards governing municipal liability for public rights-of-way. This ruling preserves the commonsense distinction between roadways intended for ordinary use of travel and adjacent areas within the right-of-way.