Partner

  • Juris Doctor: Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University
  • Master of Arts in Modern European History: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Bachelor of Arts in History: University of Georgia

Biography

Jacquelyn Saylor, known as Jackie, is a founding partner of The Saylor Law Firm LLP, along with Murray Saylor, her husband. She served as the 107th President of the Atlanta Bar Association and Past Chair of the Estate Planning & Probate Section.

Jackie was honored to receive the 2022-2023 Woman of the Year Law & Justice Award from the Women Works Media Group, naming her as the “Nation’s Most Powerful & Influential Attorney.” She received the 2016 Outstanding Woman in the Profession (WIP) Award from the WIP Section of the Atlanta Bar Association. Earlier, Jackie was awarded the Justice Benham Award for Community Service by the State Bar of Georgia.

Jackie has been selected as a Super Lawyer in Estate Planning & Probate for over ten years and again in 2024. She has also been recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Georgia by that organization. She also has been rated a Preeminent Lawyer, a Legal Leader, a Top Attorney, and a Legal Elite Lawyer by various rating authorities.

Jackie is the Co-Editor and Co-Author of Women and the Law: A Guide to Women’s Legal Rights in Georgia, which she coordinated as a member and officer of The Georgia Commission on Women. Jackie is on the Editorial Boards of The Mortmain, the official newsletter of the Estate Planning & Probate Section, and The Atlanta Lawyer, the official newsletter of the Atlanta Bar Association. She is on the Board of Trustees for the Atlanta Bar Continuing Legal Education Board. Jackie is a longtime member of the Carter Center Board of Councilors.

Prior to founding The Saylor Law Firm, Jackie was Of Counsel to a Peachtree Center law firm, where she practiced Trusts & Estate Law, Probate Law, Business Law, Litigation and Real Estate Law. Previously, she was Legal Counsel to the Special Judiciary Committee of the Georgia House of Representatives, was a Staff Attorney for the Georgia Court of Appeals and worked and volunteered for other governmental and community organizations, such as the Georgia League of Women Voters and the Georgia March of Dimes.

Jackie received her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Georgia, her Master of Arts in Modern European History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia

Notable Publications

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Notable Presentations

  • Planner: Atlanta Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board 2021: Obtained Judge panelists for Professionalism CLE.
  • Moderator & Planner: Atlanta Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board 2021: Planned and moderated Wills & Estates Panel for “But You Said You’re a Lawyer” CLE.
  • Speaker: “Business Professional Connections,” Presentation to Emory Law School Extern Class, April 2019.
  • Speaker: “Building Your Personal Brand,” Presentation to Emory Law School Extern Class, October 2018.
  • Moderator: “Judiciary Preference for Probate Petitions and other Probate Matters” Panel Discussion, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Atlanta Bar Association, October 2017.
  • Speaker: “How to Market as an Individual Attorney,” Presentation to Emory Law School Extern Class, March 2017.
  • Moderator: “Judiciary Preference for Probate Petitions and other Probate Matters,” Panel Discussion with Probate Court Judges, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Atlanta Bar Association, October 2017.
  • Speaker: “Persistence, Determination and Optimism, Words to Live By,” Speech for 2016 Outstanding Woman in the Profession Award, WIP Section, Atlanta Bar Association, June 2016.
  • Speaker: “Self-Marketing and Firm-Marketing,” Presentation to Emory Law School Extern Class, 2016.
  • Speaker: “Ethics and the ‘Vulnerable’ Client with Traumatic Brain Injury- Part 2: Financial Agreements for Lifelong Care,” hosted by Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse, Decatur, GA, December 2015.
  • Speaker: “Looking Back at 2014: The Risk of Engagement and Leadership,” Atlanta Bar Association Annual Meeting, 2015.
  • Speaker: “Networking 101,” Presentation To Emory Law School Extern Class, 2015.
  • Speaker: “Appreciation and Peace Officers Memorial Service,” sponsored by the Atlanta Bar Association and Atlanta Metropolitan Police, 2015.
  • Speaker and Presenter: Atlanta Bar Association Police Officer of the Year Celebration, September 2014.
  • Speaker: “Summer Law Internship Program” (SLIP) Atlanta Bar Association, June 2014.
  • Speaker: “The Risk of Engagement and Leadership” Atlanta Bar Association Annual Meeting, 2014.
  • Teacher: “Why Every Vote Matters,” Therrell High School Law Day Program, 2014.
  • Radio Appearance: Atlanta Legal Experts Radio Show, 2014.
  • Speaker: “What Every Family Lawyer Needs to Know: Estate Planning and Probate,” State Bar of Georgia ICLE, October 2013.
  • Panelist: “Finding Your Work-Life Rhythm: A Discussion of Alternative Work Arrangements and Careers in this New Age,” Atlanta Bar Association, Women in the Profession Section (WIP), 2013.
  • Speaker: “Effective Networking,” Atlanta Bar Association Women in the Profession Section, April 2012.
  • Speaker: “Estate Planning in an Era of Certain Uncertainty: The Tax Relief Act of 2010 and the Revised Georgia Trust Code of 2010,” West Georgia Health Foundation Planned Giving Seminar, May 2011.
  • Panelist: “Award Winning NAWBO Women Business Owners,” NAWBO, March 2011.
  • CLE Speaker: ”Marketing,” State Bar of Georgia, YLD, Women in the Profession Committee, 2009.
  • Facilitator: “The Leader Within,” Women in the Profession Committee, Atlanta Bar Association, 2008.
  • Panelist: “Going Solo/ Small Firm,” Georgia Association of Women Lawyers Symposium, CLE, Fall 2007.
  • Speaker: “Women & Leadership in Law & the Judiciary,” University of Georgia, Women’s Studies Department, 2006.
  • Teacher: “Dialogue on Brown v. Board of Education,” Therrell High School May Day Program, 2005.
  • Teacher: “Dialogue on the American Jury,” Therrell High School May Day Program, 2004.
  • Speaker: “Probate, Beyond the Will,” State Bar of Georgia, CLE, Solo and Small Firm Institute, Savannah, GA, 2004.
  • Speaker: “Effective Uses of Trusts, Estate Planning for the General Practitioner: A Comparison of Wills and Trusts,” Savannah, GA, September 2003.
  • Speaker: “Georgia Commission on Women and Legislative Update,” Zonta International Women’s Tri-State Convention, May 2003.
  • Television Appearance, Segment on Georgia Commission on Women and Atlanta Bar Association Activities on Cafe Central, AIB, Cable Channel 5, April 2003.
  • Panelist: “Hearts and Minds: Investing in Board Leadership,” Women on Board of Atlanta Women’s Foundation Workshop, 2003.
  • Television Appearance: Segment on Living Wills, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, on O.A.K., Older Adult Connections, televised numerous times on AIB, Cable Channel 5 in 2001.
  • Speaker: “Fairness in the Courts,” Southeastern US Conference on Women hosted by the Georgia Commission on Women, April 1995.
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Selected Honors and Awards

Memberships

  • Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board of Trustees, Atlanta Bar, 2021-2024.
  • Estate Planning & Probate Section Board 2009 – 2020; Past Chair 2019-2020; Chair 2018-2019; Vice Chair/Chair Elect 2017-2018; Treasurer 2016-2017, Secretary, 2015-2016, Editorial Board & contributor, The Mortmain, The official newsletter of the Estate Planning & Probate Section, 2005 – present.
  • Atlanta Bar Association Board of Directors,Past President, 2015-2016, Executive Committee, 2006 – 2016, President, 2014 – 2015, Vice President/President Elect, 2013 – 2014; Secretary, 2012 – 2013, Treasurer, 2011 – 2012, 2006 – 2007, Board of Directors, 2004 – 2016.
  • The Atlanta Lawyer, Advisor, 2014-2016; Editorial Board & contributor, 2004 – present.
  • Atlanta Bar Foundation, Board of Directors 2014-2015; Gift Planning Committee 2017-2018, Charter Life Time Fellow-program donates to organizations that help the public receive low cost legal services.
  • Ex-Officio Member, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board of Trustees, Atlanta Bar, 2013-2015.
  • Chair, Public Relations Committee, 2008 – 2012.
  • Chair, Pro Bono Committee 2005-2006.
  • Chair, Women in the Profession (WIP) Committee, 2000 – 2002, Treasurer 2011 – 2012, WIP Section Board 2021-2023, 2010 – 2013, 2005 – 2008, Atlanta Bar Association, Past Founder and Editor, WIP Lash.
  • Past Chair, Sole Practitioner/Small Firm Section, Past Editor, The Information Exchange, SP/SF newsletter, Atlanta Bar Association.
  • Member of the Estate Planning & Probate, Elder Law, Litigation, Sole Practitioner/Small Firm, Tax Law, and Women in the Profession Sections for the Atlanta Bar Association.
  • State Bar of Georgia (Member, Business and Fiduciary Law Sections).
  • Fellow, Lawyers Club of Atlanta & Atlanta Bar Foundation.
  • Vice-Chair 1995-1996, Georgia Department of Corrections, Women’s Advisory Council, 1994-1996. The Council was initiated at the request of Governor Zell Miller to investigate sexual abuse of women in state prisons. Jackie visited all state prisons for women in Georgia.
  • Member, Old War Horse Lawyers Club.
  • Member, Selden Society.
  • Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL), Sisters in Law.
  • American Bar Association, National Council of Bar Presidents,  Gate City Bar, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, past member.

 

Community Involvement

Jackie is active in the Atlanta community; this dedication was recognized when she received the State Bar of Georgia Chief Justice Benham Community Service Award. Jackie is a member of the Carter Center Board of Councilors.

Jackie and Murray have been long time contributors to the “I Have a Dream” program to support students from elementary school through college as well as Sponsors of the Sawbones (doctors) vs. Jawbones (lawyers) basketball games to benefit the Side by Side Brain Injury Center. Jackie and Murray also sponsored the Jawbones vs. Sawbones vs. Backbones Topgolf Edition 2023 tournament to benefit the Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse. They support the High Museum of Art as Circle/Cornerstone Members. Recently they and the High Museum provided tickets for an outing to the High Museum to Shepherd patients.

Jackie and Murray or The Saylor Law Firm have been sponsors of Atlanta Bar Association events, Stonewall Bar Association events, GreenLaw’s “Environmental Heroes” celebration, the Piedmont Park Conservancy’s Landmark Luncheon, and Trees Atlanta events. Jackie and Murray are regular sponsors of the Ansley Park Tour of Homes and Art in the Park. Both Jackie and Murray are Atlanta Bar Foundation Fellows which support Pro Bono Projects in the Bar and the community. Jackie is a member of the Ansley Park Civic Association, the Ansley Park Garden Club and Ansley Park Book Club.

Jackie was a member of the Associate Vestry & was a Sunday School Teacher at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church; now she is a Lector, Intercessor and a member of the Good Shepherd Society. Jackie was an Advisory Board member for Women on Board of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation for eight years. She served on the Atlanta Symphony Ball Committee and was an Arthritis Ball Patron. As Editor & Contributor for the Georgia League of Women Voters, League Legislative Newsletter, she coordinated volunteer advocacy efforts. Jackie served on the Atlanta-Fulton League of Women Voters Board of Directors. Jackie also worked for increased funding and legislation to expand pre-natal care and reduce infant mortality when she was the Public Affairs Chair for the North Georgia March of Dimes. Jackie and Murray previously served as Co-Presidents and Co-Treasurers for the Trinity School Parents Council.

Pro Bono

  • Fulton County Probate Information Center (PIC), Volunteer Attorney through the (AVLF) Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, since 2007.
  • DeKalb County Probate Information Center (PIC), Volunteer Attorney through the (DVLF) DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.
  • Recognized by the Pro Bono Project of the State Bar of Georgia “Outstanding public service in providing legal representation to low income citizens of Georgia,” December 31, 2007.
  • Past Chair, Pro Bono Committee of the Atlanta Bar Association.
  • Volunteer Lawyer Project for Cuban Detainees 1985.
  • All Bar Association volunteer activities are considered Pro Bono Service by the Supreme Court of Georgia (See Membership and Awards)

Recent News

Testimonials

  • The Saylor Law Firm LLP was invaluable in helping me traverse the legalities of my partner's estate upon his recent death. For me, being a non-spouse beneficiary and the executor of Robert’s estate, the logistics were not an easy process to navigate. However, through the compassion and expertise of Jackie and Murray Saylor and their excellent staff, the process was realized. Robert had chosen them from the ‘yellow pages of the phone book and made “cold call” one afternoon, knocking on the door, asking them for their assistance in establishing his advance healthcare directive and last will and testament. Without an appointment, the Saylor staff invited Robert in and took care of his requests. They took time with Robert in defining his needs and creating the necessary documents. These documents have allowed for a smooth transition in making decisions about his medical care and upon his death. Both Murray and Jackie have been present to my needs and to answer questions throughout this whole process. Consequently, my will has been established with their firm. It has been satisfying and comforting working with them.
    Lynn