Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers LLP is pleased to announce that five Atlanta-based attorney, Marc Hood, Marissa Merrill,Thea Nanton-Persaud, Leah Parker and Jon D. Stewart, Jr. have been elected to firm partnership, effective January 1, 2026.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome these five exceptional leaders into partnership,” said Mike Rosetti, managing partner at Swift Currie. “Marc, Marissa, Thea, Leah and Jon each bring as high-quality, client centered approach to their work and have earned reputations for their industry leadership, quality counsel and community involvement through volunteer efforts and mentoring. Their partnership substantially supports Swift Currie’s role as a long-standing pillar of the Atlanta community.”

 

Marc Hood focuses his practice on civil litigation, including premises liability, trucking and transportation, insurance coverage and high-exposure personal injury matters. His prior experience as a teacher and his work in juvenile court deeply shaped his perspective as an attorney. These roles enhanced his communication skills across a range of audiences and helped foster his empathetic, human-centered approach to client advocacy. Known for his ability to break down legal concepts for clients from all walks of life, Hood combines strategic litigation insight with real-world problem solving. Beyond his legal practice, he is a member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (GDLA) and DRI, where he serves on the Diversity Seminar Planning Committee. He earned both his law degree and undergraduate degree from Georgia State University.

 

Marissa Merrill defends national insurance carriers and business entities in claims related to automobile litigation, catastrophic injury and wrongful death, medical malpractice and premises liability. She joined Swift Currie after previously serving as a summer associate for the firm. With a robust background in client service, Merrill is adept at building strong relationships with clients, while maintaining a solid working relationship with opposing counsel. Additionally, she has a background in criminal prosecution, giving her a well-rounded view of the legal field. Under the Third Year Practice Act, Merrill argued more than 100 bond motions and presented cases to the grand jury while working for the Macon District Attorney’s Office. She earned her J.D. and certificate in advanced legal writing, research and drafting from Mercer University School of Law, and she earned her B.A. in criminal justice and sociology from the University of Georgia.

 

Thea Nanton-Persaud focuses her practice on all aspects of workers’ compensation defense and represents employers and workers’ compensation insurance companies throughout the state of Georgia. She is trained as a mediator, which provides her with unique insight into considering both sides of a claim and allows her to develop creative solutions for claim resolution. Nanton-Persaud shares her knowledge both with her clients and with the community, regularly speaking at educational seminars to provide information on workers’ compensation law. Nanton-Persaud serves as Chair of the ABA TIPS Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability Committee. In addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Claims Association and serves as Education Chair. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Staffing Association. Nanton-Persaud is a member of the Legal Steering Committee for the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation. She also serves a mentorship role nurturing the next generation of lawyers at Georgia State College of Law. Nanton-Persaud is also involved in the mentorship programs at Gate City Bar Association, along with serving as a coach for the annual Gate City Justice Benham Law Camp for high school students. She earned her J.D. at the Georgia State University College of Law and her B.A in Mass Communications and English from York University.

 

Leah Parker practices in Swift Currie’s premises liability, trucking and transportation litigation, catastrophic and wrongful death, sexual abuse/sexual assault and automobile litigation practice areas. She also has experience working on cases related to slip and falls, dog bites, employment discrimination, and nursing home and long-term care matters. In the past, Parker has also handled workers’ compensation matters.  She represents major insurance companies, as well as the individuals and businesses they insure. Parker also has experience working with many retail stores and restaurants, including large chains and small family-owned businesses. She was recently named by "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" in the category of transportation law, a distinction determined by Best Lawyers in America. Parker also gives back to the community by volunteering at The Children’s School, where her son and daughter are students. She earned her J.D from the University of South Carolina School of Law and her B.A. in philosophy from Furman University.

 

Jon D. Stewart, Jr. focuses his practice on defending insurers, privately held companies, non-profit corporations and individuals in matters pertaining to appellate work, automobile litigation, commercial litigation, construction law, premises liability, products liability and sexual abuse/assault. In addition to his current practice at Swift Currie, Stewart also has extensive experience in the areas of commercial real estate transactions, real estate litigation and probate litigation. As a member of the State Bar of Georgia, he has previously served as Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Young Lawyers Division. Prior to entering law school, he worked in the Commercial Lending Department of Regions Financial Corporation. Stewart earned his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, his B.B.A in finance from North Georgia College (now known as North Georgia University) and his B.A. in history from the University of Georgia.