Rick Bold handles complex, high-stakes trial and appellate business litigation, specializing in contract, fraud and business tort matters.  Rick has represented a wide range of clients, from Fortune 50 corporations to individuals, as plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts.

Rick was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers from 2017 to 2021.

He holds numerous leadership roles outside of his legal practice. Currently, Rick serves as the Vice President of the Federalist Society’s Atlanta Lawyers Chapter and as an Elder and the Clerk of the Session at the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. He recently completed service as the Chairperson of the $13+ billion Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Before joining the firm, Rick served as a law clerk to Judge J.L. Edmondson on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. 

He received his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he won the school’s most prestigious moot court competition and where he served as an editor of the Law Review, President of the Federalist Society and was a member of Penn’s United States Supreme Court Litigation Clinic. 

Rick received his Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and economics, magna cum laude, from Davidson College.  He also received a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he graduated near the top of his class.

Representative Work

Regularly represents an Atlanta-based Fortune 50 retailer in business tort and contract disputes involving the company’s many supplier relationships.

Obtained federal court dismissal of claims of an alleged nationwide RICO scheme against a Georgia retailer in the Northern District of Georgia. Rick then argued the case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and expanded the victory to a complete dismissal with prejudice of all claims.

Obtained multi-million award in arbitration trial on behalf of private-equity backed transportation company recovering under a representations and warranties insurance policy.

Successfully defended a California-based food distributor in the Northern District of Georgia against claim for breach of a supply agreement and attorneys’ fees. After his client filed its motion to dismiss, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case without any payment, and the parties entered into a new mutually beneficial contract.

Obtained multi-million award in arbitration trial on behalf of investor whose property development business partners fraudulently siphoned funds from the company and withheld distributions from her.   

Regularly represents a multinational technology company in a series of product liability and/or warranty disputes involving its products in Georgia state and federal courts.

Successfully represented a Fortune 200 company in responding to a Department of Justice grand jury document subpoena. Rick simultaneously conducted an internal investigation regarding the subcontract at issue in the subpoena and reported to the company’s management.

Successfully represented a financial technology company in a series of restrictive-covenant lawsuits on both the plaintiff and defense sides, achieving desired business resolution against a competitor.

Successfully led 28 U.S.C. § 1782 action to obtain documents revealing secret ownership of a Bahamian securities trading company on behalf of a Russian citizen’s litigation against her ex-husband. The U.S. District Court compelled the documents’ production and sanctioned the opposing party that fought for over three years to withhold them. Following Rick’s oral argument, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit unanimously affirmed those orders, becoming the first federal appellate court to hold that the statute at issue could reach documents controlled by a U.S. corporation but held overseas. The opposing party turned over the secret documents, paid all the client’s attorneys’ fees and paid over half a million dollars to settle.     

Defeated multi-million-dollar claims for professional malpractice and fraud against a national law firm, resulting in no liability and dismissal of all claims before discovery. Rick successfully defended the trial court’s order before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court.

Obtained federal court dismissal and transfer of an insurance company’s tactical attempt to litigate a coverage dispute in the Northern District of Georgia instead of in the defendant entities’ and individuals’ home state. 

Defeated multi-million dollar claims for fraud, RICO and breach of fiduciary duty against an Atlanta real-estate investment manager regarding Costa Rican resort property. The case settled on favorable terms for the firm’s client immediately after moving for summary judgment on all of plaintiffs’ claims.

Successfully defended a prominent Atlanta real-estate investor in a trustee fiduciary-duty case and defeated an effort to block a multi-million dollar commercial real estate transaction. The case was settled on favorable terms after defeating the plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction and successfully obtaining an order compelling critical discovery that the plaintiff had refused to produce.

Professional Activities

Federalist Society, Atlanta Chapter: Vice President (2019 – present); Executive Board member (2014 – present). 

Board of Pensions for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Chair of the Board of Directors (2020 – 2022); Chair of the Pension Committee and First Vice Chair of the Board of Directors (2018 – 2020); Board member (2014 – 2022). The Board of Pensions manages $13 billion of assets and oversees the healthcare, pension, and assistance benefits of the national clergy and their families.

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta: Clerk of Session (2019 – present); Ruling Elder (2015 – present); Chair of Personnel Council (2017 – present); Member, Senior Minister Search Committee (2013 – 2014)

Teneo: Atlanta Regional Chair (2014 – 2018); Member (2011 – present). Teneo is a nonpartisan, exceptionally selective organization that educates and connects leaders working to promote human flourishing.  

Board of Court Reporting of the Judicial Council of Georgia: Board member (2019 – 2023). The Board of Court Reporting establishes and enforces standards that govern Georgia court reporters and provides a forum for an exchange of ideas and educational services.

Atlanta Bar Association, Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers: Board member (2012 – 2013)

Associates Campaign for Pro Bono Legal Services: Co-Chair (2012 – 2013)

Bleckley Inn of Court: Barrister (2013 – 2014)

Leadership Gwinnett: Class of 2014

Honors and Awards

Georgia Rising Star, 2017 - 2021