Tyson & Mendes adds new leadership to Atlanta office

Tyson & Mendes expanded its Atlanta office on Sept. 1, 2026, adding Bobbie Ann Henderson as branch office managing partner and Winfield Pollidore as partner. The move deepens the firm’s Georgia bench as it responds to a more complex litigation environment and rising client demand.

Why it matters: - Tyson & Mendes is strengthening its Georgia presence in a state the firm describes as increasingly complex for litigation. - The expansion adds trial experience in areas that matter to insurers and corporate defendants, including construction defects, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents and product liability. - The move supports the firm’s broader effort to defend clients against Nuclear Verdicts®.

What happened: - Tyson & Mendes announced the expansion of its Atlanta office on Sept. 1, 2026. - Bobbie Ann Henderson joined as Branch Office Managing Partner. - Winfield Pollidore joined as Partner. - The firm said the expansion responds to client demand and the complexity of Georgia’s litigation landscape.

The details: - Henderson has more than 25 years of experience handling high-exposure litigation. - Henderson’s practice has focused on complex commercial and business litigation, insurance tort liability and defense, construction defect, and premises liability and negligent security matters. - Henderson will lead the Atlanta office and help grow Tyson & Mendes’ presence across Georgia and the Southeast. - Pollidore brings civil litigation experience involving construction defects, motor vehicle accidents, property damage, premises liability and product liability. - Before becoming a litigator, Pollidore worked as a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry. - Tyson & Mendes said Pollidore’s technical background helps him work through legal and engineering issues. - National Managing Partner Cayce Lynch said Henderson and Pollidore strengthen the Atlanta office and its trial bench. - Lynch also said Henderson’s experience and mentorship background make her a strong fit to lead the office. - The Georgia office opened in 2024 and is led by Southeast Regional Managing Partner E. Holland “Holly” Howanitz. - Howanitz oversees five offices across Georgia and Florida. - Howanitz said deeper trial depth in Georgia is needed to meet client demands and maintain case results. - Founding Partner Robert Tyson, Jr. said Georgia is an important and increasingly complex jurisdiction for clients. - Tyson & Mendes now serves 22 states through 28 offices nationwide.

Between the lines: - The hire points to continued competition among insurance defense firms for senior trial lawyers in high-stakes markets. - Tyson & Mendes is pairing local growth with national support, a structure that appears designed to scale courtroom resources where verdict risk is highest. - The firm is also using leadership appointments to reinforce its message around trial training, mentorship and Nuclear Verdicts® defense.

What's next: - Henderson is expected to lead the Atlanta office and deepen the firm’s Southeast footprint. - Pollidore will help expand the firm’s trial capacity in Georgia. - Tyson & Mendes said the broader goal is to better serve clients in one of its most active trial regions. - More information and career opportunities are available at the firm’s website.

The bottom line: - Tyson & Mendes is betting that added senior talent in Atlanta will help it win tougher Georgia cases and grow faster across the Southeast.