Michael Galligan, Attorney

Mr. Galligan founded his law practice in l97l following graduation from the University of Tennessee School of Law, and he established the firm of Galligan & Newman in 1982. His successful law practice includes the following areas: personal injury, medical malpractice, civil rights and employment, contested estate cases, complex criminal cases and workers’ compensation. During his more than 30 years as an attorney, Mr. Galligan has represented many high-profile clients including cases televised on Court TV and reported in national newspapers and magazines. Mr. Galligan has also settled and tried many Plaintiffs’ cases involving large monetary awards.

Mr. Galligan is an adjunct professor and lecturer at the University of Tennessee School of Law, as well as a speaker at other seminars. He is a member of the McMinnville, Warren County, Tennessee and American Bar Associations and the Tennessee Association for Justice, serving as a past member of the Board of Governors. Mr. Galligan has been appointed by the Governor to serve on the Tennessee Judicial Council. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee, and the Tennessee Supreme Court and all state courts in Tennessee. He is a past President of “Main Street McMinnville,” past Chairman of the City of McMinnville Board of Zoning Appeals, and past Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of River Park Hospital. Born in Washington, D.C., in 1941, Mr. Galligan served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1965-1968, rising to the rank of Captain. Outside of his time at the firm, Mr. Galligan’s interests include painting, athletics, cooking, reading and traveling. 

Robert Newman, Attorney

Mr. Newman joined Mr. Galligan in 1982 to establish the firm of Galligan & Newman. With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Newman specializes in the areas of general litigation, including domestic cases, divorce, child custody and adoptions; criminal law; and Social Security. He also represents area utilities. He is former President of the Warren County Bar Association and a member of the Tennessee Bar Association. Other memberships include the Tennessee Association for Justice and the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. After he graduated from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis, Mr. Newman was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1982, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in 1985 and U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in 1991. Born in McMinnville, Tennessee, in 1951, Mr. Newman is married to Marsha Newman, who is principal of West Elementary School in McMinnville. They have four sons, two of whom are law students. Mr. Newman also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Security Federal Bank and as past President of the Breakfast Rotary Club.

Susan Marttala, Attorney

Joining Galligan & Newman in 1996, Ms. Marttala concentrates in the practice areas of municipal law, employment discrimination, malpractice, estates and general civil cases in state and federal courts. Prior to joining Galligan & Newman, she was a partner with her husband in the law firm of Marttala & Marttala. She was the first female District Attorney General in Tennessee history, serving an interim position by appointment of Governor Ned McWherter. She served five years as the Municipal Judge for the City of McMinnville and is currently the McMinnville City Attorney. Ms. Marttala has a B.A. from the University of the South and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University. She received an American Jurisprudence Award in Evidence. She was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1986, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in 1987, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in 2006, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in 2007. he is a member of the Tennessee Association for Justice and is the Middle Tennessee Director for the Tennessee Municipal Attorney’s Association. Born and raised in McMinnville, she is married to David Marttala, who is in-house legal counsel for the First National Bank of McMinnville. They have three children.

John Partin, Attorney

Mr. Partin has practiced law at Galligan & Newman since 2000, primarily in the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation, criminal and civil appellate work, and domestic law. He also serves as Municipal Judge for the town of Morrison and as County Attorney for Van Buren County, Tennessee. Mr. Partin holds a B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University and a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law. He was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 2000 and to the U. S. District Court, Eastern District in 2007. He is a member of the Warren County and Tennessee Bar Associations, as well as the Tennessee Association for Justice. Born in Murfreesboro and raised in McMinnville, John’s interests outside of practicing law include sports, music and politics. He is a local radio personality, serving as a frequent contributor to “Viewpoints” and as a host of “Pigskin Panel.” He has also served as the attorney advisor for the Warren County High School Mock Trial Team.