Spence v. Hilliard, P. C.

Clarke, Chief Justice.

This appeal arises out of a legal malpractice action that Pat Spence brought against Hilliard and Raeburn. The jury returned a verdict that awarded no “actual damages” but awarded $58,000 in “minimal” damages. Hilliard and Raeburn filed a motion for new trial or to modify the verdict. The judge denied the motion for new trial, but, relying on OCGA § 51-12-12, he reduced the award of damages to $300. Spence appeals, asserting alternatively that the judge misconstrued the statute, or that the statute is unconstitutional.

1. The first issue presented is whether OCGA §…