Marquetta J. Bryan currently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Atlanta. Marquetta is admitted to practice law in Georgia, New York, and before the Supreme Court of the United States. She is a highly respected attorney, mediator, and strategic advisor known for her commitment to resolving complex disputes with precision, empathy, and integrity. Marquetta has over twenty years of experience spanning employment litigation and counseling, training and investigations, commercial litigation, contracting and procurement disputes, and multi-party negotiations. Immediately prior to joining the City, Marquetta was a Litigation Partner with Pierson Ferdinand LLP, and a mediator and arbitrator with Henning Mediation & Arbitration Services. She is a former Partner with the firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, where she chaired the Firm’s Ethics Committee for two terms, and Carlock Copeland, & Stair LLP (currently known as Copeland Stair Valz & Lovell, LLP). In addition to serving as legal counsel to private entities, Marquetta has served as outside general counsel to a host of public-school districts, and nonprofit organizations. Marquetta has also served as a neutral hearing officer in ethics and personnel disputes related to public employees and elected officials. Marquetta began her legal career as a Trial Attorney/Regional Advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), gaining invaluable insight into federal regulatory frameworks and public service.

An Atlanta native and proud graduate of Emory University, Marquetta continues to give back to her alma mater through her service as a member of the Executive Committee of the Emory Alumni Board of Directors. She went on to earn her J.D., cum laude, from Cleveland State University College of Law, where she distinguished herself as a member of Law Review, Vice-Chair of the Student Discipline Tribunal, President of the Black Law Students Association, a Teaching and Research Assistant, and represented plaintiffs in the school’s Employment Law Clinic.

Beyond her professional achievements, Marquetta has received numerous awards and honors for her service to the community and legal profession, including Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta “Lawyer of the Year” Award, Nelson Mullins Scarborough Award for Pro Bono Service, the prestigious Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service, Rolling Out Magazine Woman to Watch, Atlanta Magazine Women Making a Mark, the Profiles in Diversity Journal Leadership Award, and the Emory University Caucus of Emory Black Alumni Excellence in Professional Achievement. Marquetta is a 2016 graduate of Leadership DeKalb and served as Chair of the Leadership DeKalb Board of Directors for two terms. She is also a 2017 graduate of the Georgia Education Policy Fellowship Program.