Personal and Education Background

Born July 10, 1948 in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Macon, Georgia. Attended Georgia Institute of Technology (1966-1968); Mercer University (1968-1970) A.B. - 1970; Walter F. George School of Law of Mercer University (1970-1973), J.D. - 1973.

Professional Background

From 1973 to 1989, David Rainwater practiced law throughout South Georgia, specializing as a trial lawyer. He was one of the first ten lawyers in the State of Georgia to become Board Certified as a civil trial lawyer by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and one of the few lawyers who became "A" rated and a member of the Bar Registry by Martindale-Hubbell in less than ten years of practice.

From 1990 to 1997, David Rainwater left private practice to serve as First Vice President and General Counsel of Central Bank and Trust in Cordele, Georgia, and later as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for American Network Services, Inc. of Norcross, Georgia. As a co-founder of American Network Services Rainwater was part of the management team that created "DEPONET®" the largest legal support network in the world.

After selling the company in 1997, Rainwater returned to private practice in Cordele in November of 1997. With both a banking and entrepreneurial background, coupled with extensive litigation experience, Rainwater is able to develop creative strategies for individuals and companies to navigate the legal waters of South Georgia. Rainwater has recovered over $50,000,000 in settlements, verdicts and recoveries since 1998 for the citizens of SouthWest Georgia.

Professional Organizations and Honors

Member and past president of the Cordele Judicial Circuit Bar Association.
Member of the State Bar of Georgia, serving on the Board of governors (1983-1985); Member and Chairman of the Committee to Reduce Court Costs and Delays (1983-1989); Member of the Trial Lawyers Competency Committee (1985-1989); Member of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (1982-1989).
Member of the Federal Bar Association (1988-1989).
Fellow of the Georgia Bar Foundation.
Member (1978-1989) and Vice President (1983-1989) of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.
Member and Diplomat of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (1980-1989).
Board Certified as a Specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (1985-1990).
Lecturer at numerous CLE seminars on the subject of insurance law and trial practice, and professor and lecturer of various banking law seminars for American Banking Institute and Community Bankers Association.

Author: "Georgia’s New Collateral Source Rule," Mercer Law Review, 1987; Co-Author: "Annual Survey of Georgia Law, Trial Practice," Mercer Law Review, 1988.

Community Background

Director of Ameris Bank of Cordele, Georgia (1998 - Present
Chairman of the Southwest Georgia Easter Seal Society (1976).
Chairman of the Chehaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America (1977-1978).
Member (1978-1999) and President (1994) of Cordele Rotary Club.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Cordele-Crisp County Chamber of Commerce, serving as President for the 1992-1993 year.
Member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Cordele.