Balch & Bingham has opened an office in Augusta, Georgia, with a seasoned trial lawyer, Ben Brewton, who joined as a partner from local civil defense litigation boutique Tucker Long.

Balch, based in Birmingham, also has a Georgia outpost in Vidalia and a 25-lawyer Atlanta office. The Augusta location is the ninth location for Balch, which has more than 200 lawyers firmwide.

Brewton, who joined Balch on May 1, said his move is more “an evolution than a sharp change,” because he had an of counsel relationship with Balch while at Tucker Long since 2013.

As part of that relationship, Brewton said, he has often worked with lawyers in Balch's Atlanta office, including well-known trial lawyer Hugh McNatt.

“I got to know those lawyers very well and we share some common clients. I find them to be hard-working, competent lawyers and a pleasure to work with,” he said.

Brewton handles business disputes, personal injury and wrongful death cases, mainly for public utilities, medical practices, doctors and other clients in the energy and health care industries.

“I decided a larger firm offers the resources and expertise to expand my practice,” Brewton said. “Balch has a deep bench of lawyers and deep expertise in these areas that will work hand-in-glove with what I'm doing,” he said.

In addition to Georgia, Balch has offices in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and Washington, D.C.

“Ben is a terrific, widely-respected litigator who will contribute to our continued growth,” said Balch's managing partner, Stan Blanton, in a statement.

“We have worked in Augusta for many years from our other offices,” Blanton said. “Our new location will help us increase support for many of our longstanding clients in Georgia, as well as grow our presence in the region.”

Brewton has tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict in his 31 years in practice, and he is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is also a past president of the Augusta Bar Association and the Younger Lawyers Club of Augusta.

Brewton said Balch is interested in expanding the new Augusta office, located in the SunTrust Building at 801 Broad St., “as opportunities present themselves.”