Ann Schildhammer
Lawyer. Executive. Trusted Advisor.
Her experience includes serving as General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer and in other executive leadership roles, where her responsibilities extended well beyond traditional legal matters.
Throughout her career, Ann has advised businesses, executives and management teams regarding employment law, human resources, contracts, litigation, risk management, insurance, business operations and complex workplace matters.
That experience shapes the way she practices law today.
Having sat alongside executives making difficult decisions, Ann understands that clients rarely need a lengthy explanation of every possible legal issue. They need a lawyer who can identify what matters, explain the risk clearly and recommend a practical path forward.
Schildhammer Legal was founded to provide that kind of counsel.
A Different Perspective
Ann’s experience as both a lawyer and business executive allows her to evaluate issues through more than one lens.
What is the legal risk?
What makes sense for the business?
What are the practical consequences?
And what is the best way forward?
Her approach is collaborative, responsive and pragmatic, with an emphasis on developing long-term relationships and becoming a trusted advisor to the clients she serves.
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Recognized for combining sophisticated legal judgment with practical business leadership to guide organizations through complex operational, workforce, compliance, litigation, restructuring, and risk management challenges. Extensive experience overseeing HR operations, enterprise risk, employment law compliance, litigation management, insurance strategy, contract negotiation, regulatory matters, operational leadership, and outside counsel management.
CORE EXECUTIVE COMPETENCIES
- General Counsel Leadership
- HR & Workforce Strategy
- COO & Operational Leadership
- Employment Law & Compliance
- Litigation, Claims and Outside Counsel Management
- Enterprise Risk and Broker Relations Management
- Real Estate, Title, Employment and Business Litigation
- Contract Negotiation & Management
- Organizational Restructuring
- Corporate Governance
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TAYLOR DUMA LLP
General Counsel | Chief Human Resources Officer | Chief Operating Officer
Atlanta, Georgia | 2020 – 2026
- Served in various executive leadership roles for a multi-state law firm with approximately 160 attorneys and offices throughout Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida.
- Principal legal advisor to ownership, executive leadership and management committees.
- Responsible for employment, HR, litigation, compliance, insurance, and enterprise risk matters.
- Led operational strategy and management for HR, recruiting, finance, IT, marketing, and office services.
Partner (2008 – 2026) - Represented employers, management and businesses in complex employment, real estate, business and commercial litigation matters.
- Provided strategic HR counseling, workforce compliance advice and training.
McCAR HOMES, INC.
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Alpharetta, Georgia | 2005 – 2008
Served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for privately held residential homebuilding company with approximately 350 employees across seven divisions in the Southeast.
- Directed all legal, HR, compliance, litigation and risk management matters.
- Served on Executive Committee and advised on strategic business initiatives.
- Negotiated and drafted contracts with vendors, subcontractors, and business partners.
- Managed restructuring during challenging housing market conditions.
MORRIS, MANNING & MARTIN, LLP
Partner
Atlanta, Georgia | 1988 – 2005
- Handled sophisticated commercial, employment, and real estate litigation matters.
- Developed extensive experience in real estate and title litigation.
- Advised clients on employment law compliance and workforce management.
EDUCATION
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor - THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Honors B.S., Highest Distinction