Meet The Beck, Owen & Murray Team
Jim Fortune
Retired Partner
General Civil Matters, Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, and Government Law
James R. Fortune (“Jim”) has been an attorney at Beck, Owen and Murray since 1971. Jim focuses his practice on general civil matters with a primary focus on personal injury litigation and government law. He has tried over 150 cases throughout his career as an attorney. In addition to his experience in a courtroom, Jim has been an AV Preeminent Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rated Attorney for over thirty years. Jim is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and has previously been a member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. Jim also served as a representative in the Georgia General Assembly from 1979 to 1982.
Jim received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, and then attended the University of Georgia School of Law receiving his Juris Doctorate degree in 1969. While in law school, he was a member of the Editorial Board of The Georgia Law Review and assisted a fellow law review member in publishing an article in 1967. He was also a member of Phi Alpha Delta. Following law school, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Jim proudly served in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer in the prestigious 173rd Airborne Brigade. While serving in Vietnam, he also performed some duties as a Judge Advocate General Attorney. During his time in Vietnam, Jim was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and an Army Commendation medal for a combat operation.
Jim has lived in Spalding County his entire life leaving only to attend school and serve in the United States Army. He and his wife have been married since 1972 and are members of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Griffin. They have two adult daughters, and four wonderful grandchildren. Additionally, he participates in several local organizations including The Rotary Club, where he served as President, The Exchange Club, where he served as President, and he was a member of GOALS for Griffin. During his free time, Jim enjoys being outside, and especially enjoys hunting, fishing, and being with his family.
Published Decisions
Wilson v. Malcolm T. Gilliland, 198 Ga. App. 616, 402 S.E.2d 291 (1991)
Bill Dallas
Partner
Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, and Probate
William M. Dallas III (“Bill”) has been an attorney at Beck, Owen and Murray since being sworn into the practice of Law in Georgia on June 20, 1988. Bill mainly practices personal injury litigation, but occasionally works with probate matters, and general tort litigation. During his time as an attorney, Bill has tried over 250 cases and has a vast amount of experience in front of judges and juries. Bill is an AV Preeminent Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rated Attorney and is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (GDLA), and the Spalding County Bar Association.
Bill graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He went on to obtain his legal degree from the University of Georgia. During his time in law school, Bill was a member of Phi Delta Phi and participated in the third‑year practice program with the prosecutor’s office, which allowed him to become comfortable in front of a judge early in his career.
Outside of the legal field, Bill is a member of the local Rotary Club in Spalding County. He also serves on the Griffin Advisory Board for United Bank. Bill is a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church where he has served on the Vestry, as Stewardship Chairman, and as a Senior Warden. Bill has lived in Griffin, Georgia since his first day of work at Beck, Owen and Murray in 1988, and enjoys being involved in the Griffin+Spalding County community.
Bill is married and has three daughters. When he is not working, Bill enjoys cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs. He is an avid Dawgs fan and attends many home games. He also enjoys woodworking and all outdoor activities, including hiking, hunting, and shooting sports.
Published Decisions
Dairyland Ins. Co. v. State Farm Auto Ins. Co., 289 Ga. App. 216, 656 S.E.2d 560 (2008).
Stephanie Windham
Partner
Residential and Commercial Real Estate, Local Government, Wills and Estates, Business Law, and Corporate Formations
Stephanie Windham focuses her practice on residential and commercial real estate, local government, wills and estates, business law, and corporate formations. Stephanie has been at Beck, Owen and Murray since she graduated law school in 1996. Stephanie is an AV Preeminent Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rated Attorney and has been named twice as Affiliate of the Year for the Heart of Georgia Board of Realtors. Stephanie is a member of the State Bar of Georgia. She is also a member of several legal organizations including the American Land Title Association, Southeast Land Title Association, American Bar Association, and Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorney Association. Stephanie serves proudly as the Attorney for Spalding County, Spalding County Board of Elections, Spalding County Water and Sewerage Facilities Authority, Griffin Spalding County Development Authority, and Griffin Spalding County Airport Authority.
Stephanie attended undergraduate school at Georgia Southwestern State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. While in undergrad, she was named Kappa Delta Sorority’s Greek Woman of the Year. Stephanie then went on to obtain her legal degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. While in law school, Stephanie was a teaching fellow for legal research and writing. Stephanie also enjoyed being a member of several organizations, including Phi Alpha Delta, Student Government, and the Cordell Hull Speaker’s Forum. Stephanie was also the Student Materials Editor for the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, in which she had an article selected for publication.
Stephanie has lived in Griffin, Georgia since 1996. As such, Stephanie is actively involved in the community as a member and Past-President of the Rotary Club of Griffin; an Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 6900; District Director for Rotary Leadership Institute, Sunshine Division; Chair of the Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital Health Board; Chair of the Board for the Griffin-Spalding Partners in Education; co-Chair for the Griffin-Spalding Archway Partnership; past-Chair for the Griffin+Spalding Chamber of Commerce; past chair of the March of Dimes March for Babies; and is a current facilitator for Leadership Griffin+Spalding. When she is not involved in community projects and organizations, Stephanie enjoys spending her time with her husband and beagle, as well as cooking and reading.
Publications
Medical Liability—Lay Midwives: Midwifery and the Practice of Medicine,
19 AM. J. TRIAL ADVOC. 233 (1995).
Janice Wallace
Partner
Wills and Probate, Real Estate, Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, and General Civil Litigation
Janice Wallace focuses her law practice on wills and probate, real estate, tort litigation, personal injury, and civil litigation. Janice joined the Beck, Owen and Murray team in 2005. Before joining Beck, Owen and Murray, Janice practiced personal injury work with a firm located in Atlanta, and then spent time as in-house counsel for Travelers and Infinity Insurance Companies where she also practiced personal injury litigation. Throughout her career as an attorney, Janice has tried over 100 cases. Janice is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and has practiced in the State of Georgia since 1998. She is also a member of several other legal organizations including the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Lawyers Club of Atlanta, and the Spalding County Bar Association.
Janice received a Bachelor of Science in Math Education from the University of Georgia. She then decided to pursue a legal career and attended Georgia State University School of Law. During her time in law school, Janice received the award for having the highest grade in her class for both Corporations and Estate Planning Seminar.
Janice grew up in Griffin. She moved back to Griffin in 2005 to work at Beck, Owen and Murray. She has lived in Griffin ever since. She is a proud member of local organizations including the Rotary Club of Griffin, where she served as President; Griffin Spalding County Historical Society, where she served as President; and the Morning Glory Garden Club, where she also served as President. In addition to being a member of these organization, Janice is also on the Board of Directors for the Main Street Players, Salvation Army Advisory Board, and Abundant Life Soup Kitchen Board. In her free time, Janice enjoys spending time with her two dogs: Sugar, who is a Rat Terrier/Jack Russell terrier mix, and Jake, her rescue dog. In addition, Janice enjoys watching the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturdays and reading a good book.
Published Decisions
Brown v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 242 Ga. App. 313 (Feb 10, 2000)
Wolfork v. Tackett, 273 Ga. 328 (Jan 8, 2001)
Wolfork v. Tackett, 241 Ga. App. 633 (Dec 3, 1999)
McCullough v. Reyes, 287 Ga. App. 483 (Sep 11, 2007)
Franchell v. Clark, 241 Ga. App. 128 (Nov 3, 1999)
Dairyland Ins. Co. v. State Farm Auto. Ins. Co., 289 Ga. App. 216 (Jan 17, 2008)
Grant v. Franklin, 244 Ga. App. 370 (Jun 8, 2000)
Ballard v. Meyers, 262 Ga. App. 442 (Jul 17, 2003)
Cole v. Hill, 286 Ga. App. 535 (Jul 11, 2007)
Robinson v. Estate of Jester, 333 Ga. App. 41 (Jul 13, 2015)
Terry v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Ins. Co., 269 Ga. 777 (Sep 21, 1998)
Karl Broder
Partner
Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, and Criminal Misdemeanor Defense
Karl Broder focuses his practice mainly on civil litigation, tort litigation, personal injury, and criminal misdemeanor defense. Prior to joining the Beck, Owen and Murray team, Karl was the law clerk for Chief Judge Julie E. Carnes of the Northern District of Georgia and worked as an associate with a large Atlanta firm practicing commercial, construction, and environmental/toxic tort litigation. Karl has tried roughly ten cases throughout his career and enjoys being in the courtroom vigorously advocating for his clients. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, as well as the Spalding County Bar Association.
Karl is a “Double Dawg,” graduating summa cum laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and continuing at the University of Georgia School of Law to obtain his law degree, where he graduated magna cum laude. While in law school, Karl was not only a member of the Georgia Law Review and Mock Trial team, he also served as the Articles Editor and Chairman of the Mock Trial Executive Board. Karl received several other notable achievements throughout his time at Georgia Law, including becoming a member of the Joseph Henry Lumpkin American Inn of Court, the Order of Barristers, and the Order of the Coif.
Karl is originally from Henry County, Georgia. He has lived in the Griffin Judicial Circuit since 2014 and has lived in Griffin, Georgia since 2017. Karl and his wife have one daughter and attend First United Methodist of Griffin. He is also a member of the local Rotary Club. During Karl’s free time, he enjoys playing the guitar, cooking, and reading.
