Nikolai Makarenko, Jr., Esq.

Nik was raised primarily in Germany, due to his father’s service in the United States Air Force. He completed his undergraduate studies in history at Birmingham Southern College in 1986, while on a tennis scholarship. Nik earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia’s College of Law in 1989.

Nik began his legal career in Georgia in 1989 as a staff attorney to the Honorable Judge Jack M. McLaughlin of the State Court of DeKalb County, Georgia. From there, Nik practiced at a well-respected civil defense firm in the Atlanta area for a few years before taking a position as in-house counsel for one of the largest insurance companies in the country. Nik left that firm to join Cooper & Makarenko, a successful civil defense firm protecting the interests of clients, big and small.

Nik left Cooper & Makarenko in June 2007 to form Groth & Makarenko, LLC with Paul L. Groth. Nik’s experience trying hundreds of jury trials has earned him the reputation of being a seasoned and successful litigator who will utilize his knowledge of the law to obtain the best results possible for his clients, whether in the courtroom or via alternative dispute resolution.

Nik’s practice focuses on auto, premises, general liability , and commercial transportation defense. He handles defense in both personal lines and commercial cases that involve trucks and motor common carriers. He is admitted to practice before all state courts in Georgia, as well as the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Nik is a member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, past president of the Torts and Insurance Practice Section of the State Bar in Georgia, DRI, CLM, and Atlanta Claims Association. He holds an “AV” peer-reviewed rating from Martindale-Hubbell, is listed in Georgia Super Lawyers (2024-2026), and has been recognized by Best Lawyers as the “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law in the Greater Atlanta region for 2027. He is also recognized in the Best Lawyers categories of Insurance Law; Litigation – Insurance; and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants.

Nik and his wife Debbi live in Suwanee, Georgia.

2026 Representative Case

Partner Nik Makarenko Prevails at Trial in a Trucking Case in the State Court of Barrow County

Undergraduate: Birmingham Southern College

Law School: University of Georgia