Meet the Team

Charles Abernathy

Charles Abernathy brings a fresh perspective and an unwavering dedication to the practice of law. He is deeply committed to defending individuals accused in our local court systems and to helping clients restore their good names. A proud Forsyth County native, Charles graduated from West Forsyth High School before attending the University of North Georgia.

After college, Charles served six years in the United States Marine Corps, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2018. His service earned him multiple commendations, among them the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Following his military career, Charles attended the Florida State University College of Law and passed the Georgia Bar in 2023. He comes from a distinguished family of attorneys: his grandfather began practicing law in the 1950s; his father started his career in 1975; and his mother, Judge Leslie Abernathy-Maddox, became the first woman to serve on the Forsyth County State Court, among many other accomplishments. Inspired by this legacy, Charles is passionate about continuing his family’s commitment to serving the citizens of Forsyth County and the greater Metro Atlanta area.

Charles is an active member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. He also serves as Secretary of the Forsyth County Bar Association and Treasurer of the Forsyth County Defense Bar. He is licensed to practice in all Georgia trial-level courts.

Kristian McPeek

Since his admission to the Georgia Bar, Kristian McPeek has dedicated his practice to criminal defense and issues surrounding them.  In that time, he has handled cases ranging from speeding tickets in Milton to Murder in Fulton County – and everything in between.  This includes misdemeanors, drug offenses, Driving Under the Influence, sexual crimes, and aggravated felony matters.  

As a criminal defense attorney Kristian believes those he represents are more than what they are accused of.  Through this lens he is able to bring each client’s unique story to the forefront during representation.  His approach to criminal defense is to make the State work.  He scours reports for the critical details, files specific and targeted motions where appropriate, and presents his client’s cases with a flair not seen in the North Georgia area.

His notion of service extends to the local community as well.  Kristian is a member of the Forsyth County Bar association, the Marion T. Pope Inn of Court, and presently serves as the President of the Forsyth County Criminal Defense bar.  He is as dedicated to the local community as he is his clients.  This dedication to his community earned him the President’s Award in 2023 from the Forsyth County Bar Association.      

Kristian had the pleasure of graduating from Georgia Southern University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and he received his law degree from the Appalachian School of law where he was the recipient of the Dean’s Merit Scholarship based upon his academic performance.   

After graduating and passing the bar, Kristian began his career with the Enotah Circuit Public Defenders Officer representing clients in Lumpkin, White, Towns and Union Counties.  After a successful tenure there, he was hired by the Northeastern Circuit Public Defenders Office to aid those in Hall and Dawson Counties.  In 2016, Kristian opened his own practice alongside Mr. Jack Spence.  Each of these experiences molded him into the compassionate and fiery attorney he is today.    

While the practice of law is a calling to Kristian, he is also called to family life.  He is a husband, and his blended family has brought him three amazing daughters.   While Kristian is partnering with Charles Abernathy, Pickles the Cat is Kristian’s law partner when he works on client cases from home.