Musa M. Ghanayem, Esq. is a powerhouse Atlanta-based criminal defense attorney known for his high-stakes trial victories, strategic tenacity, and transformative presence in the courtroom. Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Musa earned degrees in Criminal Justice and Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee before graduating cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law. He began his career in complex civil litigation and whistleblower actions before turning to public service.
As a trial attorney with the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office, Musa quickly earned recognition for his courtroom performance and was named “Employee of the Quarter.” He later served as a DeKalb County Assistant District Attorney, prosecuting major felonies and joining a joint federal-state H.I.D.T.A. task force. That dual experience—defending and prosecuting—shaped his instincts and established him as a uniquely intuitive and formidable trial lawyer.
In 2007, Musa opened his private practice and by 2012 co-founded Ghanayem & Rayasam, LLC. His client base has ranged from elected officials and public figures to musicians and everyday people facing life-altering charges. His victories—such as the full acquittal of Sheriff Victor Hill—have drawn national attention from Dateline NBC, CNN, the New York Times, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Peers and prosecutors alike regard Musa as a transformative force in the courtroom—the kind of advocate whose presence shifts the entire tone of a proceeding. He has been recognized among the Top 100 Trial Attorneys, Top 40 Under 40, and Top 10 Under 40, and has been named a Georgia Super Lawyer every year since 2016.
But what truly defines Musa is how his clients describe him: as a “superhero who never gives up,” a calm and commanding advocate who brings clarity in moments of crisis. His real-life superpower is his ability to convert fear into strategy and chaos into courtroom triumph—making him not just a defense lawyer, but a lifeline when it matters most.