About
Chelsea M. Freeman Dease is a native of Southwest Atlanta, Georgia, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in Dance Performance from the University of South Carolina Honors College, Magna Cum Laude. She received her Juris Doctor from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, where she was the Criminology Articles Editor for the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. Prior to joining Johnson & Freeman, LLC, Attorney Freeman Dease was a litigation associate and gained substantive experience in tort defense, specifically the representation of renowned hospital authorities, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufacturers. Additionally, Freeman Dease has experience in the area of labor and employment law, representing a U.S.-based law firm in a high-profile labor dispute regarding a terminated employee. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group but also has a robust corporate practice.
Chelsea M. Freeman Dease received a 2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Americaâ„¢ recognition for Products Liability Litigation.
- Successfully represents local, city, and state governments in condemnation and commercial eviction matters.
- Negotiates high-profile governmental condemnation settlements.
- Successfully defends non-profit entities in labor and breach of contract claims.
- Crafts and executes strong and unique legal strategies in support of individual clients in a variety of general litigation matters.
- Serves as General Counsel to corporate entities, providing regulatory, compliance, and risk management advice.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
- Defended a U.S.-based law firm in a high-profile labor dispute.
- Defended a multinational luxury automotive brand in product liability litigation.
- Defended a premier moving truck, trailer, and self-storage rental company against tort-based claims.
- Defended one of Georgia’s largest hospital systems in multiple medical malpractice litigations.
- Defended multinational manufacturer of medical devices in insulin pumps, pain pumsp, and neurostimulator litigations.
- Defended multinational sterilization companies in environmental exposure litigations.
- Defended multinational pharmaceutical company in chemotherapy drug treatment litigation, including an MDL pending in the Eastern District of Louisiana, as well as state court actions in Delaware, Texas, New Jersey, and Mississippi.
- Represented leading multinational manufacturing company in pre-suit product liability claims, including filing lawsuits involving injuries allegedly caused by medical and non-medical devices.
- Published Article: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Law Firms and Corporate Legal Departments for Diversity Insider, 2021
- Published Article: Litigation 2021 Practice Guide: Law and Practice USA for Chambers and Partners, 2020
- Published Article: Litigation 2019 Second Addition: Law and Practice USA for Chambers and Partners, 2019
- Published Article: The Global Courtroom: Discovery of Foreign Documents in U.S. Products Liability Litigation for the American Bar Association’s Women in Litigation Joint Conference, 2017
Practice Areas
- Corporate Law & Litigation
Education
Memberships
- State Bar of Georgia, Member and 2023 Graduate of Young Lawyers’ Division Leadership Academy
- YLD Board of Directors Member
- Gate City Bar Association, Member and 2021 Graduate of Inaugural L.E.A.D. Academy
- Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Member
- American Bar Association – Young Lawyers’ Division, Member