In the News
Best of Forsyth 2026
We are pleased to announce that our firm has been honored with four prestigious awards at the Best of Forsyth 2026:
We’re Celebrating 10 years Formally as Banks, Stubbs & McFarland. It’s Been an Absolute Honor to Serve Our Community and Help Restore Shattered Lives!
Did you know? We’ve had deep roots in the community since 1991 as Banks & Stubbs, founded by partners Rafe Banks and Beau Stubbs. Then, in 2015, they merged with McFarland and became how you know us today as Banks, Stubbs & McFarland.
In 2018, partners Jacob and Eric joined the firm, and there was a separate merger in 2022 which is how partners Amy and Phil became part of our team!
Over the past decade, Banks, Stubbs & McFarland has carried forward the standard of excellence established by Banks & Stubbs as we have stood beside thousands of clients through some of the most difficult chapters of their lives to help them find restoration.
Thank you to our community for your trust, support, and belief in what we do. Here’s to continuing the work of seeking justice, offering compassion, and standing strong for the people we serve.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey so far!
Celebrating 40 Years of Dedication: Honoring Kelli Moore, the Heart of Our Firm
Join us in celebrating a significant milestone as we honor Kelli Moore’s 40th anniversary working alongside Attorney Rafe Banks and her remarkable 35 years with Banks, Stubbs & McFarland. Kelli has truly been the heart of our firm, and we are so grateful for her!
Banks, Stubbs, and McFarland as a Light of Hope Recipient 2024.
We are EXCITED to announce that Affordable Adoption Georgia with Banks, Stubbs & McFarland is a recipient of the Light of Hope Award presented by CASA of Forsyth County, Inc.
The CASA Light of Hope program has a strong belief that protecting and supporting children requires a community effort. Forsyth County CASA recognizes selfless, compassionate individuals who provide a “Light of Hope” to children in helping them to become strong, vibrant, successful adults.
We are grateful for this incredible honor and are thankful to be able to come alongside families and children to provide affordable adoption solutions. We take pride in our pressure-free, intimate, and safe partnerships with expectant parents that allow them space and freedom to make the best decision for their child.
Through Affordable Adoption Georgia we provide children, expectant parents, and families an open adoption alternative that allows children the opportunity to become strong, vibrant, and successful adults!
Best of Forsyth 2024
We are pleased to announce that our firm has been honored with three prestigious awards at the Best of Forsyth 2024:
- Best Criminal Lawyer: Jacob Stidham and Phil Pilgrim
- Best Family Lawyer: Eric Tatum and Amy Carter
- Best Personal Injury Lawyer: Parker McFarland
Amy Carter of Banks & Stubbs, was selected as an Amicable Advocate of the year for 2023.
The Amicable Divorce Network presents Amicable Awards to its members each year in recognition of their accomplishments. At the Amicable Awards Luncheon held at Nashville, Tennessee’s Graduate Hotel, the winners were revealed. Adoption, mediation, divorce, and other family law disputes are among the areas in which Amy Carter of Banks & Stubbs focuses.
March 2023
Banks, Stubbs & McFarland would like to welcome our new Criminal Law Associate, Lindsey McCain
2023
Won Best of Forsyth Criminal Law Attorney 2023
Metro Atlanta Firm Scores Defense Wins in 3 Criminal Cases
A metro Atlanta law firm recently successfully defended three clients in criminal cases where, if convicted, the defendants faced a range of sentences from losing their own business to life in prison.
Partners at Banks Stubbs & McFarland in Gumming represented the accused in the three cases before juries, with Rafe Banks Ill serving on behalf of a man in a DUI case, Amy Carter representing a man accused of rape, and Jacob Stidham serving on behalf of a man accused of sexual assault.
Banks Stubbs & McFarland Merges With Carter Pilgrim to Expand Into Gwinnett County (2022)
Cumming-based law firm Banks Stubbs & McFarland announced Thursday that it will be merging with the law firm Carter Pilgrim in order to expand its reach to Gwinnett County.
With the merger, Banks Stubbs will be working out of its current office and expanding to the Carter Pilgrim office in Suwanee. The firm’s practice areas include criminal defense, DUI, family law, personal injury, wrongful death and estate planning.
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2022
We had a great time celebrating winning Best of Forsyth in the categories Best Personal Injury Law Attorney, Best Criminal Law Attorney, and Best Family Law Attorney! Thank you to everyone who voted.
2021
Our firm won “Best Personal Injury Attorney” and also “Best Criminal Attorney” for 2021 in the Best of Forsyth Contest put on by the Forsyth County News
That is 2 years in a row we were declared best personal Injury attorney.
2020
Won Best of Forsyth for Personal Injury Attorney for 2020
2019
Attorney Mitchell M. McKinney joins Banks, Stubbs & McFarland as Of Counsel.
2019
Attorney Cindy English retires from Firm and accepts position as part-time magistrate with the Magistrate Court of FOCO
2018
Attorneys Kathryn Clark & Jacob Stidham join the firm
Banks, Stubbs & McFarland, LLP Hires Four New Lawyers (pdf)
2018
Attorney Robert “Beau” Stubbs III retired after practicing law for 43 years and after 25 years as a partner in the firm
2018
Attorney Eric Tatum joined the Firm as Partner
Tatum named partner at Banks, Stubbs and McFarland
2018
Won “Best of Forsyth” for Criminal Attorney
2017
Won “Best of Forsyth” for Civil Attorney
2016
Won “Best of Forsyth” for Civil Attorney
2016
Banks, Stubbs & McFarland LLP Announces Cindy English As Partner
2015
McFarland merges with Banks & Stubbs, LLP
Best Of’ winner McFarland merging with Banks & Stubbs
July 2015:
Congratulations to Valerie Stone who has worked as a legal assistant for the firm for 25 years. We are honored the Forsyth County News profiled this accomplishment in the attached article. Firm Marks Employee’s Long Service (pdf)
November 2014:
Congratulations to Kelli Moore who has worked as the legal assistant to Rafe Banks for 30 years. We are honored the Forsyth County News profiled this accomplishment in the article.
May 2013:
Congratulations to Cindy English. She has completed her training to be a mediator in the area of general civil litigation. She will be continuing her training to become certified in the areas of domestic litigation and domestic violence.
Banks, Stubbs & McFarland is pleased to announce that Beau Stubbs attended Georgia’s Family Law Institute in May of 2013 to receive specialized training in the area of family law and related issues.
December 2012:
Banks, Stubbs & McFarland is pleased to sponsor the 2012 Jingle Jog in Forsyth County! Congratulations to our own Sarah English for winning 1st place in the costume contest!
December 2012:
During our annual “Snack-a-Thon” event for the community, Banks, Stubbs & McFarland, held our first food drive to collect items for The Place of Forsyth County. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed making this new event a tremendous success.