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www.atlantabar.org | OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ATLANTA BAR ASSOCIATION | MAY 2016
In this issue
Atlanta Bar:
Where We’ve Been,
Where We’re Going
1
May 2016
Chairs
Editorial Board
The Hon. Diane E. Bessen
Enjoliqué D. Aytch
Lisa K. Liang
Karen Bain
Alice Benton
Advisors
Christopher Berney
The Atlanta Lawyer (ISSN-04038428/UPS-018068)
Harold E. Franklin, Jr.
Ben Byrd
is published by the Atlanta Bar Association,
Jacquelyn H. Saylor
Richard Caplan
400 International Tower, 229 Peachtree Street NE,
J. Wickliffe Cauthorn
Student Liaisons
Atlanta GA 30303-1601. The Editorial Board of The
Sam Crochet
Atlanta Lawyer will consider all articles and letters
“Jay” Jang Hwan Cho
Erik Provitt
Michael L. Goldberg
submitted for publication, however it reserves the right
Megan Hodgkiss
to reject articles and letters submitted. Articles
Michael Jablonski
are judged on importance of topic, clarity, and
Hamida Jackson-Little
timeliness. The Editorial Board gives priority to
Christopher P. Lightner
articles promoting the activities of the
Jim McDonough
Association and its members. The Board
Brian McEvoy
The Hon. Christopher J. McFadden
reserves the right to edit or rewrite an
Lauren Miller
article as a condition of publication.
Abbey Morrow
Articles and letters may be submitted by
Rachel L. Platt
email to Publications and Communications
Bryan Ramos
at jgray@atlantabar.org. The membership is
Paul G. Sherman
encouraged to submit letters to the editor.
Dawn Smith
The Atlanta Lawyer reserves the right to edit
Ian E. Smith
for style, length, and continuity. All letters must
Gregory M. Taube
include the author’s name. The Atlanta Lawyer
Mark Wortham
is published by email. Send email corrections to
Kristin Zielmanski
Membership Coordinator kdeloach@atlantabar.org.
Atlanta Bar Association
President
Immediate Past
President
King & Spalding LLP
Jacquelyn H. Saylor
The Saylor Law Firm LLP
Vice President/
President-Elect
ACYL President
James D. Blitch IV
Blitch Law PC
Secretary
Margaret H. Vath
Georgia State
University College of Law
Treasurer
Nicole G. Iannarone
Georgia State
University College of Law
Jonathan E. Smith
Miller & Martin PLLC
Members at Large
Joan C. Grafstein
JAMS
Jonathan E. Hawkins
Krevolin & Horst LLC
Eugenia W. Iredale
Fellows LaBriola LLP
Robert M. Lewis Jr.
U.S. Department of Labor,
Office of the Solicitor
Lisa Liang
State Court of Fulton County,
Hon. Susan E. Edlein
Christopher P. Lightner
Alston & Bird LLP
Gregory T. Presmanes
Bovis Kyle & Burch LLC
Melissa Phillips Reading
Owen, Gleaton, Egan,
Jones & Sweeney LLP
Ryan K. Walsh
Jones Day
ABA Delegate
Rita A. Sheffey
Emory University
School of Law
Legal Counsel
Marc A. Rawls
Sutherland LLP
Atlanta Bar Foundation
President
S. Wade Malone
Nelson Mullins Riley &
Scarborough LLP
Gate City Bar
Association President
Cheryl F. Turner
Volume 14, No. 9 | May 2016
Contents
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
4
Thank You for the
Incredible Opportunity
to Serve as
your President
9
Time to Renew your
Atlanta Bar Membership
COLUMNS
10
12
14
15
16
19
Words from the Wise
Lifestyle
From the Bench
In the Community
Book Review
Tech Talk
NEWS & NOTES
8 LawJam
18 Lawyer Referral &
Information Service
20 MBLC Taste of Diversity
Cook-Off
21 The Honorable Horace
Taliaferro Ward
23 Did You Know?
24 100% Club
28 Staff Spotlight
SECTION UPDATES
26 Dispute Resolution
27 Labor and Employment
29 Litigation
30 Solo Practitioner/Small Firm
31 Tax Law
32 Women in the Profession
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER
3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Thank You for The
Incredible Opportunity
to Serve As Your President
By Harold E. Franklin, Jr.
King & Spalding LLP
I
would like to thank you, my fellow Atlanta Bar Association
For this final edition, I would like to reflect on the theme I
members, for what has been a rewarding and wonderful
chose for the year, “Leadership through Service, Advancing
year serving as the 108th president of our incredible bar
the Legacy.” This was an important year for our bar associa-
association. I have been a proud member of this association
tion and we met the challenge of leading and not shying away
since the beginning of my legal career and I have been hon-
from tough issues. It is important that we continue to put the
ored to serve on the board in many capacities for the past
organization first, as we have done for so many years. Our
decade. I have enjoyed and benefitted from our exceptional
2015-2016 Atlanta Bar Association Board of Directors provided
programs and services and have made many lifelong friends
incredible service to strengthen our association and serve
through the Atlanta Bar. I am privileged to have as mentors
the community.
and close friends so many of our past presidents. Our bar is
in great hands with my good friend and successor, Jim Blitch
(a great lawyer who cares deeply for our bar), with whom I
have served on the board for many years.
4
May 2016
We can be proud, I know I am, of all the good this organization has done and continues to do in the legal community
and our community at large. Simply put, our association is a
tremendous force for good. Just a few examples of what we
have done to make a difference are as follows:
• In 1924‒17 Atlanta Bar lawyers founded Atlanta Legal Aid.
Under the enduring leadership of Steve Gottlieb, it does more
than ever to serve the community.
• In 1979‒the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (“AVLF”) was founded by future Atlanta Bar Association President John Chandler and the ACYL.
Under the wonderful leadership of Marty Ellin and his colleagues, as Marty noted in his speech while receiving our
Leadership Award in April, “The bullying stops when an AVLF
lawyer appears.”
• In 1980‒The “Give Our Police A Hand” Initiative was started by
President Charlie Shaffer to raise
funds for scholarships for the children of Atlanta police officers killed
or injured in the line of duty. This
effort is still active today.
• In 1984‒Minority and Diversity
Clerkship Program, the first of
its kind in the United States, was
founded by President Seaborn
Jones and has made available over
350 paid clerkships to students
from Georgia’s law schools.
• In 1985, the Atlanta Bar Foundation was started by President Frank
Strickland.
• In 1991, the Truancy Intervention
Project was founded by President
Terry Walsh and Judge Glenda
Hatchett. TIP has served nearly 9,000 children since its inception.
• In 1993, our Summer Law Internship Program (“SLIP”) for
High School Students was founded by then President Terrence
Croft, Comer Yates, Tom Wamsley and Wade Malone; and
• In 2001, we founded, as a result of the leadership of President
Seth Kirschenbaum, the Multi Bar Leadership Council (“MBLC”)
to foster and improve relationships among the members of
local bar associations.
• In 2008, the first Annual Celebrating Service Luncheon and
Pro Bono Fair was started by Presidents Rita Sheffey, David
Schaeffer and Shayna Steinfeld.
These are just some of the many examples of the tremendous
will of the organization to serve as a force for good.
community. It represents the pursuit of our highest ideals.
To bring about what has been referred to by Congressman
John Lewis as the beloved community. It is never completely
achieved but we endeavor to get ever closer to it with what
we do to serve our profession, the community and the cause
of justice.
As I prepared to begin my term, I felt a sense of urgency that
would not go away: A call to action to use the position for which
I had been elected by you, my fellow members, to engage
the resources and talents of our noble profession to seek and
advance the cause of justice—consistent with our mission.
One of my primary goals for this year was to engage the
tremendous will to do good in order to address some of the
pressing issues affecting our nation and system of justice.
While many view them through
the lens of race, issues of justice,
access, inclusion, fairness, and
accountability have no color or
demographic requirement. They
are ideals upon which our precious
democracy is based. We as lawyers are guardians of these values
and if we do not protect them, our
great nation suffers. Lawyers and
judges of every race have worked
together and held hands to solve
some of our nation’s toughest problems and that is what we worked
to do this year.
One of my primary goals
for this year was to engage the tremendous
will to do good in order to
address some of the
pressing issues affecting
our nation and system
of justice.
For me, the role of the bar is to serve our members and the
Last August, our bar convened a
stellar panel of leaders and experts
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights
Act, which transformed our nation by ensuring the integrity of
the electoral process and ensuring the precious right for all
Americans. Civil Rights Icon and United States Congressman
John Lewis, legendary civil rights lawyer Fred Gray, Georgia
Attorney General Sam Olens, former Georgia Senator Jason
Carter, Anne Lewis and other voting rights luminaries from
across the country helped shed light on modern issues impacting voting rights in our nation and here in Georgia. What
I hope we all came away with was a better understanding that
there is nothing partisan about promoting and maintaining the
integrity of the electoral process and that we should all work
together for solutions to the pressing issues affecting access
to the ballot.
We all bring our life experiences to our professions. As a
5
Black man and professional, the reality of my experience is
that although I have achieved partnership at a preeminent
global law firm, when I am not wearing a suit I am subject to
the same implicit biases as those from very different stations
in life. This also applies to my son, my brother, a brilliant actor and lawyer, my father, uncles, some of my closest friends
(from my undergraduate days at Emory‒many of whom are
successful physicians, surgeons, lawyers, educators) and
others, all of whom share similar experiences.
tors, executives, and also in the rare instances in which the
criminal is wearing a law enforcement badge. We must insist
on accountability, transparency and restoring trust where it
has been lost, and building it where it never existed.
As constitutional rights, social justice, and civil liberties under our nation of laws transcend race and demographics, I
would like to be remembered as an Atlanta Bar President
who stood for advancing our mission of the pursuit of the
fair administration of justice, wherever that led us. This bar
year it led us to the crisis afflicting our nation and which has
played out nationally in the media
a great deal—The use of excessive
or deadly force by some law enforcement officers against unarmed
non-violent citizens. We are the
greatest nation on earth and what
more noble cause can there be
than protecting the rights of all citizens. I have always been a strong
supporter of our law enforcement
community (as many of my closest
relatives have extensive military
and law enforcement backgrounds)
and deeply appreciative of the tremendous courage and sacrifice
they show each day in risking life
and limb keeping us all safe from
those engaged in lawlessness and
crime. As lawyers, we must remain
vigilant to ensure that non-violent citizens of every race have
confidence in law enforcement and that their constitutional
rights will be protected.
Our EJLE efforts have been comprehensive and have included:
• Our EJLE Symposium in January with national leaders from
across the country for panel discussions from law enforcement
leaders, prosecutors and defense counsel, state and federal
judges, community leaders and others;
• providing a platform for the first presentation of Georgia Appleseed’s comprehensive “Race,
Law Enforcement and the Law”
report and recommendations for
proposed changes in the law;
• Atlanta Bar volunteers met with
thousands of students across metro
Atlanta and talked to them about
their constitutional rights and about
strategies for avoiding the escalation of conflict in encounters with
law enforcement;
• Convening meetings with leaders
from law enforcement, prosecutorial bar, the citizen review board,
and community leaders to discuss
proposed changes in the law to
bring about increased accountability and transparency; and
• Engaged with state legislators
on proposed changes to Georgia law to help restore or build
trust between those sworn to protect and serve and those
being protected.
In founding our Equal Justice in Law Enforcement (EJLE)
Initiative, I really wanted and believed we could all come
together to search for solutions and to be a resource to both
the community and law enforcement. My confidence in the
strength of the bonds of our bar association has grown even
stronger as I watched us all rise to the challenge and produce
a meaningful dialogue which I know will enhance the search
for solutions to the problems we face in this area.
Our work continues and I could not be more proud of what
we have done together as The Atlanta Bar Association and I
am profoundly grateful that the EJLE initiative, which began
as a hope and idea last year, is now a permanent committee
of the bar which will continue beyond the end of my term.
Although there is seldom unanimous agreement as to how to
address tough or controversial issues, I am proud of our bar
association for being open to and choosing to embrace the
EJLE Initiative, despite it not being a safe subject.
I would like to be remembered as an Atlanta Bar
President who stood for
advancing our mission
of the pursuit of the fair
administration of justice,
wherever that led us.
I feel strongly that we must insist on the fair and just application
of the Rule of Law and remain tough on crime, wherever we
find it—whether committed by violent criminals, child preda6
May 2016
We took on these new efforts this year not in lieu of, but in
addition to our traditional programs for our members and the
community. I am confident that in taking on these tough issues this year in addition to expanding our core programming
made us even stronger.
This year we have had wonderful CLE and professional development programming, dynamic section and networking
events and social gatherings, and an active membership
committee led by Eugenia Iredale and Gino Brogdon, Jr. We
addressed serious funding issues affecting the Fulton county
court system, established a Diversity and Inclusion committee (to foster and enhance diversity and inclusion within our
ranks), and held our Celebrating Service and Pro Bono Fair
(where Joe Bankoff gave inspiring words about the importance
of serving others). For the first time in years we brought back
our annual Leadership Awards Luncheon to a sold out crowd
in April when we honored Richard Deane and Marty Ellin. Our
Women in the Profession (“WIP”) section celebrated its 10th
Anniversary and we convened the annual “Presidents’ Summit” of local and minority bar associations. We raised funds
to provide scholarships to the children of injured or slain law
enforcement officers, we celebrated a revitalized Minority and
Diversity Clerkship program and we had a record number of
interns in our Summer Law Internship Program. Finally, our
Lawyer Referral and Information Service (“LRIS”) program
helped us achieve a historic year of giving by contributing
$200,000 towards the total of $250,000 in grants provided by
the Atlanta Bar Foundation to deserving pro bono organizations to serve the community.
all of us, is to leave things better than we found them and to
remain steadfast on the path of the relentless pursuit of the
cause of justice, wherever it takes us.
It has been my honor to lead our awesome association, to
serve you, and to, along with you, serve the community and
further the cause of justice. That is our duty and that is our
calling as lawyers. That is what I hope you take away from
this year—that the Atlanta Bar Association has pursued the
cause of justice and advanced the legacy of leadership through
service.
May we all continue to lead our profession and to serve as
a force for good in this community and beyond. Thank you.
President, Atlanta Bar Association
I am thankful to members of the judiciary for their leadership
and service to the profession and to the rule of law. We salute
Judge T. Jackson Bedford, the recipient of the 2016 E. Logan
Bleckley Award of our Litigation Section, and Judge Herbert
Phipps, recipient of the Romae T. Powell Award of our Judicial
Section, for their outstanding leadership and contributions.
We also commemorate the late United States District Court
Judge Horace T. Ward for his indelible legacy of courageous
advocacy and leadership that played such a critical role in our
state by successfully challenging injustice and the barriers to
entry to higher education.
Finally, it gives me great pleasure to recognize our 2016
award recipients for our Annual Meeting, as each has given
so much of their time and talents this year to our profession,
our bar, and the communities we serve. They are as follows:
Charles T. Lester (Charles E. Watkins, Jr. Award); The Honorable Chief Judge Gail S. Tusan (Professionalism Award);
LRIS and the EJLE Committee (Distinguished Service Award);
and Ret. Police Chief Frank V. Rotondo and CNN News Anchor
Fredricka Whitfield (Liberty Bell Award).
Both my parents, Harold, Sr. and Bernice Franklin, were my
greatest role models and my mother in particular instilled in
me, through her volunteer and civic contributions, a profound
sense of duty to serve others. The challenge, I believe for
7
THE ATLANTA BAR FOUNDATION PRESENTS
e
d Theatr
Buckhea 11:30pm
6:00pm -

BAR
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ROCK TH
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6/10
M
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LA
BUCKHEAD THEATRE
The Psychics
The Tin Man
Attractive Nuisance
Bellbreakers
Along for the Ride
Spalding Nix Rhine
Melonakos & WALKER

general admission $20
Premium Tickets $100
 Preconcert Reception
 Savannah88 Bourbon Tasting
 Catered Food
 General Admission to LawJam
Host $250
 2 VIP tickets to preconcert reception
 2 drink tickets (beer/wine)
 Savannah88 Bourbon Tasting
 Catered Appetizers
 Catered Food During Show
 VIP Balcony Seating
ticketmaster.com: rock the cash bar
8
May 2016
TIME TO RENEW YOUR ATLANTA BAR MEMBERSHIP
By Abbey Morrow
Counsel on Call
abbeymorrow@counseloncall.com
I
t is time once again to renew your Atlanta Bar Association
membership. Take advantage of great networking, practice,
and development experiences; outstanding CLE courses and
retailer discounts; and –shameless plug alert— your subscription to The Atlanta Lawyer. To renew, visit www.atlantabar.org.
“Our bar offers great opportunities to serve others through
pro bono and community service, along with excellent CLE
and professional development programming, and meaningful
interaction with a broad and diverse cross-section of members
and leaders of both the bench and bar,” said Harold E. Franklin,
Jr., King & Spalding, LLP, Atlanta Bar Association President.
The Atlanta Bar is the largest voluntary bar in the southeast and provides the perfect backdrop to interact with professionals in both large and more intimate settings to build
stronger professional and personal networks. Its broadbased assembly of premier legal professionals representing 12 counties includes attorneys, judges, students, civic
and community leaders, educators, and non-lawyer affiliates such as paralegals, legal assistants, and support staff.
“Being a member of the Atlanta Bar Association has
meant so very much to me both personally and professionally that I cannot imagine not being a member,” said
S. Wade Malone, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
LLP, and Atlanta Bar Association Past President. “It offers
something good for every type of lawyer, whether they
are in private practice, public interest or public service.”
More than 20 sections within the Atlanta Bar provide members with the means to collaborate with others both in and
outside their respective practice areas. Sections sponsor a variety of independent and joint activities, includ-
ing CLE and practice programs, community service projects, and social activities, as well as leadership opportunities for those who serve on individual section boards.
Dues vary for the Atlanta Bar according to number of
years in legal practice or status (e.g., students or judges), and range between $50 and $245. Members receive CLE discounts, as well as special pricing and discounts with local retailers and industry service providers.
“Membership in the Atlanta Bar provides opportunities to meet
and network with other lawyers, get your CLE in creative and
inexpensive ways, and to meet your pro bono obligation.
It’s a bargain,” said Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel,
State of Georgia, and Atlanta Bar Association Past President.
Opportunities to showcase individual talents and abilities
outside the law include volunteering with the Atlanta Bar Foundation, rocking out at LawJam, singing and dancing your way
through A Courthouse Line Theatre Productions, setting a new
personal record at the Legal Runaround 5K Race, and more.
“I have found my time spent with the Atlanta Bar priceless,”
said the Honorable Sara L. Doyle, Chief Judge, Georgia
Court of Appeals, and Atlanta Bar Judicial Section Past Chair.
“Not only have I had the opportunity to do good work for the
legal profession, I have made life-long friends and contacts.”
The Atlanta Bar Association member benefits can
be found at www.atlantabar.org/?page=445. The Atlanta Bar offers valuable discounts, services and programs for members. Contact Kari DeLoach to learn more
about member benefits at kdeloach@atlantabar.org. ■
9
WORDS FROM THE WISE
The Past and Present of The Atlanta Bar
Answered by Our Past Presidents
By Richard Caplan
LeClairRyan
richard.caplan@leclairryan.com
T
he current strength of the Atlanta Bar Association is due in
large part to the work of its past leaders. For this month’s
issue of The Atlanta Lawyer, I reached out to five past
presidents of the Atlanta Bar: David H. Gambrell (1965–66),
currently senior counsel at Baker Donelson; Frank B. Strickland (1985–86), currently at Strickland Brockington Lewis;
The Honorable T. Jackson Bedford, Jr. (1994–95), currently
Deputy Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Fulton County;
Paula J. Frederick (1999–2000), currently General Counsel of
the State Bar of Georgia; and Lynn M. Roberson (2012–13),
currently at Miles Mediation. I wanted to get their take not
only the organization’s past, but where it might be headed in
the future. Their answers to the same five questions follow.
1
When you took your position as leader of the
Atlanta Bar Association, what goal(s) were
you most focused on?
Mr. Gambrell: The support for the organization of the State
Bar of Georgia, in which members of the Atlanta Bar Association are participants, and maintaining good relationships with
the local judiciary.
Mr. Strickland: I was looking for a major project for the Atlanta
Bar to undertake during my term. To my surprise, a federal
judge presented the Bar with such a project. U.S. District Judge
Marvin Shoob had granted habeas corpus relief to approximately 1,100 Marielito Cuban refugees detained without trial
for several years at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. These
detainees were represented by Gary Leshaw and Deborah
Ebel and other lawyers at The Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Judge
Shoob’s order was reversed by the U. S. Court of Appeals
for the Eleventh Circuit, which left the detainees in a difficult
position. Atlanta Legal Aid Society could not undertake 1,100
individual cases. Judge Shoob asked me if the Bar could
undertake a project to provide representation for the Cuban
detainees. With help and advice from my good friend, Steve
Gottlieb, then and now the Executive Director of Atlanta Legal
Aid Society, the Bar organized a program which recruited more
than 400 volunteer lawyers, plus translators, who represented
10
May 2016
over 800 detainees in administrative parole proceedings. The
Bar’s Cuban Detainee Program was recognized by the State
Bar of Georgia as the outstanding pro bono program of the
year in 1987 and the Bar received the Harrison Tweed Award
from the American Bar Association for the outstanding project
of the year, also in 1987.
Judge Bedford: Energizing the Bar leadership, increasing
lawyer participation in the Bar, expanding current programs
and creating new programs to serve our members’ needs.
The first thing I did the day after I was sworn in was to hold
a 3-day professionally-guided Bar Leadership Retreat where
we developed short term and long term goals for the Bar.
Ms. Frederick: Pro bono was the theme for my year; I asked
each of the Bar’s committees and sections to take on a pro
bono project during the year and almost all of them did. In a
couple of cases we worked with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers
Foundation and the Atlanta Legal Aid Society to tailor projects
to the interests of section members.
Ms. Roberson: As my predecessor, Rita Sheffey, advised,
“There is the Bar year you plan, and then there is the Bar
year you get.” As president, my primary focus was ensuring
a smooth transition as our long time executive director, Diane
O’Steen, retired, and our new executive director, Terri Bryant,
came on board in the middle of my term. Terri immediately
hit the ground running and dedicated herself to our Bar’s
continued success, so I was very gratified.
2
What was the hardest part about the job?
Mr. Gambrell: I do not recall any part of the job which I considered “hard.” Most of it was positive activity and good fellowship.
Mr. Strickland: Recruiting 400 lawyers for pro bono representation of Cuban detainees, but it was a challenging and
rewarding project.
Judge Bedford: Juggling my Bar responsibilities with the
demands of an active trial practice and management of my
law firm.
Ms. Frederick: Figuring out how to engage members so that
they keep coming back. I was president in 1999–2000 and
we got our 6,000th member during my term. We were aware
that technology was changing the way that lawyers relate to
each other and to Bar organizations, but we could not really
get our arms around the possibilities that technology opened
up for us.
Ms. Roberson: I did not find any particular part of my year
as president particularly difficult. We all appreciate the time
commitment involved in serving as president, but I was happy
to do it and quite blessed that my colleagues at Swift Currie
McGhee & Hiers had my back!
3
As you look at the Atlanta Bar Association
today, what do you see as the biggest differ
ences compared to when you were president?
Mr. Gambrell: A much larger membership makes individual
communication and participation more difficult and remote.
Judge Bedford: Much of what we envisioned and created has
matured. The Bar is certainly more diversified and provides
more opportunities for volunteerism and pro bono services
than when I was President. Also, there is greater emphasis on
acknowledging volunteerism and community service, thanks
in large part to Rita Sheffey! There is also more competition
for Bar membership with the development of many specialty
and minority Bars.
Ms. Frederick: I am delighted that the organization is a lot
more diverse than it was in the past. When I first became
active, there were very few women and even fewer lawyers
of color who were actively involved. Today’s leadership is
more reflective of the profession and of the City of Atlanta
than ever before!
Ms. Roberson: Since my Bar year is so recent, I have not
noticed any significant differences other than Terri Bryant
putting her distinctive stamp on the support provided by the
Bar staff. I have also noticed what an incredible year Harold
Franklin has had as president, in spite of a trial and travel
schedule that would disable most of us mere mortals. I continue to be incredibly proud of our Bar!
4
What is your favorite memory of the Atlanta Bar
Association during the year you led it?
Mr. Gambrell: Executive Committee Meetings at the home of
F. M. “Buster” Bird in Highlands, North Carolina.
Mr. Strickland: See my answer to question 1. Another highlight
(perhaps during my year as president-elect) was convincing
then Deputy Executive Director Diane O’Steen not to leave
the ABA to take another job. Diane agreed to stay and within
a few months, she became our Executive Director. Diane later
became President of the National Association of Bar Executives. Diane remained with the Atlanta Bar until her retirement.
Judge Bedford: The whole year was a positive. One of the
neatest experiences was when we sent several bus loads
of Atlanta lawyers to South Georgia to help clean up after
the devastating spring floods of 1994. Early one morning,
I stood in the parking lot at the Atlanta Stadium, along with
Diane O’Steen, and watched as the buses loaded and drove
off with all these Atlanta lawyers volunteering to help other
communities with the flood damage.
Ms. Frederick: Despite my grumbling at the rigorous rehearsal
schedule, I greatly enjoyed participating in the Bard show. My
predecessor Greg Smith started the show and I had no idea
it would be such a professional production, or how talented
members of the Atlanta Bar are. I am talent-free but they found
a spot for me in two or three skits. I had a blast!
Ms. Roberson: My favorite memory is of our Board voting
unanimously to step up and be counted in support of marriage
equality before the U.S. Supreme Court at a time when the
issue of equality was potentially divisive (as such issues have
been historically in our Bar and society in general). Our board
wisely understood the importance of showing leadership in
the legal community in support of equality and civil rights for
all adult citizens at a time when many Bars were reluctant to
take a stand and demonstrate true leadership.
5
Do you have any advice for the incoming Atlanta
Bar Association leadership?
Mr. Gambrell: Keep up the good work!
Mr. Strickland: Pay attention to the fact that many lawyers
do not participate in the work of the organized Bar. If possible,
find a project for the Bar as a whole to undertake, so as to
increase involvement of Bar members.
Judge Bedford: Set aside a specific time each week to meet
with the executive director, and fellow Bar leaders as needed.
Try to be consistent with meeting with the executive director
and other Bar staff. Focus on one major project for your Bar
year and see it through to conclusion.
Ms. Frederick: Do not try to do it all yourself. Trust your staff
and the people around you to help get things done. Do not
be afraid to try new things. Have fun!
Ms. Roberson: My advice to the incoming Bar leadership
is to engage in a true partnership with the Board and the
executive director. If you always remember that your year as
president is about service to our Bar and not about you and
any personal agenda you may have, then I can promise you
a rewarding year! ■
11
LIFESTYLE
WORKPLACE “WELLNESS”: HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY,
AND PREVENTION OVER CONVENTION
By Sam Crochet
Hall, Booth, Smith, P.C.
scrochet@hallboothsmith.com
Many of us work long hours, after which we often scramble
to spend valuable time with our families and friends. Unfortunately, we are often quick to shed the primary element to
a healthy lifestyle: physical activity. Of course, inactivity can
increase mental/physical fatigue, which undermines both of
our aforementioned goals. Then there is the obvious longterm risk to ignoring health and fitness: weight gain, aging,
cardiac issues, stress, etc. Luckily, today, organizations and
employees have a greater incentive than ever to encourage
a balanced lifestyle, and can do so without killing the clock
or breaking the bank. Through cost-effective and convenient
“wellness” programs, we can easily increase health while
saving (making) money.
Office Yoga
The reasons employers benefit from office “wellness” are
bountiful. First, such programs can reduce health insurance
premiums. Second, healthier/happier workers are more productive and miss less days. The ability to attract prospective
millennial employees seeking “smart companies” is an added
benefit. A 2010 study in the peer-reviewed Health Affairs
Journal concluded medical costs and employee-absentee
costs fall by $3.27 and $2.73 respectively per dollar spent
on “wellness” programs.1 The programs studied included the
use of health education materials, individual health/fitness
counseling, and on-site group activities, classes, or health
seminars. However, this study and most other literature I
have found on the topic concern companies with greater than
1,000 employees ‒ organizations with the spending power
to adopt wide ranging initiatives to address longterm costs
and productivity. Therefore, small to mid-sized law firms may
have to play a different game to achieve the same results.
1
“Workplace Wellness Programs Can Generate Savings,”
http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/29/2/304.full (The study
compared participant employees to non-participant employees
in 22 companies. 90% of the companies studied employed more
than 1,000 employees).
12
May 2016
A proven recourse for the latter firms is office-yoga. Evidence
shows after-work or lunchtime yoga classes are a low-cost
“wellness” plan that fights stress, curbs fatigue, and boosts
productivity. Throw in the fact it is as simple as closing the
door to a conference room or pushing chairs to the side of an
office-lobby; employers incur little overhead aside from the
cost of an instructor while employers/employees benefit from
convenience in the work schedule.
Preventative Medicine is the Key
I reached out to an Atlanta-area professional yoga instructor, Carissa Wetzstein, who specializes in addressing “wellness” at a local physical therapy health and wellness facility.
Regarding the immediate effects she has observed in her
career with individuals in her practice, Wetzstein stated “just
an hour or two of yoga a week encourages ‘destressing’ and
healthy decision-making. Also, it leads to a natural sense of
community between participants - a benefit which should not
be understated in the workplace.” Concerning the role Wetzstein believes “wellness” programs could play in long term
health care plans, she said “organizations and people are
starting to realize preventative medicine is the key. ‘Wellness’
programs are becoming essential to saving money, improving
the quality of care, and making people’s lives better.” The cost
to employers? Depending on the office, Wetzstein says her
corporate (office yoga) classes run $75.00 - $100.00 per day.2
Aetna CEO Credits Yoga
A great example of yoga’s calling in the workplace is found
through Aetna Insurance CEO, Mark Bertolini, who has
2
Carissa Wetzstein provides corporate yoga classes in
the greater-Atlanta area. For more information on the benefits of
workplace wellness, Wetzstein frequently answers questions via
carissayoga@outlook.com.
implemented workplace yoga for his own office employees.3
Bertolini utilized yoga in his own life to overcome the pain of
a severe neck injury from a skiing accident. Through his own
rehabilitation and, now, observation, he estimates the increased
productivity and lower healthcare costs yield nearly $3,000.00
in annual savings for each of his employees. This is, in part,
based on Aetna’s calculation that “high stress” employees
require annual healthcare costs of $2,000.00 on average
higher than “average stress” employees. Specifically, Bertolini
credits yoga with helping Aetna lower employee health benefit
costs by 7% in 2012.
Fitness Challenges
Aside from office yoga, my research concluded many organizations employ fitness challenges (i.e. based on weight loss,
“steps”, or smoking boycotts) with a cash or vacation reward.4
Whichever tactics law firms choose, it is important to realize
there are convenient and low-cost routes to reducing employee
stress, increasing productivity, improving health, and adding
energy to the office environment. Since health insurance is
largely employment-based in the legal industry, “wellness”
initiatives also appear quite capable of achieving substantial
savings in the long run.
FOLLOW US ON
3
“Severe Ski Accident Spurs Aetna CEO to Bring Yoga to
Work,” http://www.cnbc.com/id/100569740
4
April 2016 interview with employees from Stanley,
Black, and Decker, Inc., who wished to remain anonymous.
@atlantabar
13
FROM THE BENCH
BANKRUPTCY COURT
By Wendy L. Hagenau
Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court
Northern District of Georgia
M
any of you have not been to and may hope to never
practice before the United States Bankruptcy Court.
Nevertheless, bankruptcy touches all areas of law,
and the bankruptcy court is the federal court with which most
people come into contact. The bankruptcy court construes
state law and proceedings regularly, so even state litigators
may need a primer on the bankruptcy court.
The bankruptcy court is an Article I court created by Congress
to fulfill the mandate in Article I, Section 8 of the United States
Constitution to establish “uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States.” Bankruptcy judges
are appointed for 14-year terms by the Court of Appeals and
preside over bankruptcy cases and virtually all matters arising
in those cases, including deciding issues arising under the
Bankruptcy Code or which are otherwise related to the bankruptcy case. In the Northern District of Georgia, the majority
of the bankruptcy cases are filed by
individuals. These filings may be in Chapter 7 (liquidation),
Chapter 13 (consumer reorganization), or Chapter 11 (reorganization for debtors with higher debt levels). These cases
present many different issues. While the bankruptcy judge
obviously applies bankruptcy law, the rights of the parties
in property and creditors’ claims are determined by nonbankruptcy law – most often state law such as contract and
real estate law. Many times, bankruptcy judges must construe
the effect of a state court judgment or order. Domestic relations issues also frequently arise because one of the primary
causes of bankruptcy is divorce. The bankruptcy court may
allow some state court litigation to proceed, in whole or in
part, but may decide the state law issues itself. Bankruptcy
judges publish many opinions on state law.
If you find yourself in the bankruptcy court, it will be helpful
for you to note several procedural items. First, the bankruptcy
courts follow the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
14
May 2016
These are similar, but not identical, to the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure – and differ particularly in the area of service
of process (both in method and scope) and various time limits.
There are local rules related to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, which should be consulted as well. Second,
many of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure apply
in “contested matters” which are opposed motions, and not
just in adversary proceedings. Third, bankruptcy courts hold
hearings on almost everything and each judge holds regular
“mass” calendars to hear matters taking only 15-20 minutes.
You should check each judge’s web page for the calendaring
procedures. Fourth, bankruptcy courts are courts of limited
jurisdiction. They do not grant divorces or establish property
division. They do not probate a debtor’s will. They are limited
in their ability to enter final judgments against non-debtors
and non-creditors.
Considering these unique procedures, and the breadth of substantive law at issue, the quality of the lawyers who practice
regularly before the court has impressed me. These practitioners must know substantive and procedural bankruptcy
law, plus state law, tax law and many federal laws enacted to
protect consumers (most of which are acronyms like FDCPA,
TILA and RESPA). We are very fortunate to have these attorneys and, if you have occasion to be in bankruptcy court,
consider consulting with a bankruptcy practitioner for any
nuances. You may also contact the courtroom deputies for
each judge with any procedural questions. We welcome state
court practitioners to the bankruptcy court. ■
IN THE COMMUNITY
GETTING TO KNOW
NORTH FULTON COUNTY
By Kristin Zielmanski
Zielmanski Law LLC
kristin@zielmanski.com
T
he Atlanta Bar’s membership reaches far beyond
the bounds of the City of Atlanta, extending to 12
counties comprising the Atlanta Metro area. These
include Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette,
Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale
Counties. For attorneys practicing inside the Perimeter, it is
often necessary to travel OTP (shorthand for “Outside the
Perimeter” for those of you who are new to Atlanta) to courthouses in other counties or to visit clients headquartered in
the more spacious and affordable suburban cities.
In light of our Bar’s expansive reach, we wanted to begin highlighting parts of the Atlanta Bar community to help familiarize
members with the courthouses, organizations and other features of the counties where our members work, live and play.
This month, we present an overview of North Fulton County.
Courthouse
Regardless of how far north you may feel in Alpharetta and
Johns Creek, the Fulton County courthouse is, of course,
in downtown Atlanta, at least an hour’s drive away. There
is also the North Fulton Annex located at 7741 Roswell Rd,
Sandy Springs, Georgia 30350. However, effective February
15, 2016, the court services offered at this location were shut
down due to budget constraints.
Local Bar Association
The North Fulton Bar Association is a vibrant and congenial
organization. On the last Thursday of every month, this bar
association hosts a happy hour at the Diner at North Point off
Mansell Road in Alpharetta, as well as several other annual
events, including a festive holiday party in downtown Roswell.
It is run under the leadership of Michael A. Penn (President),
Mike O. Crawford (President-Elect), J. Thomas Salata (Immediate Past President), Paul Sharman (Treasurer), and
Board Members Debra A. Robinson, Matthew R. Rosenkoff,
Tamar Faulhaber, Christopher McCormick, Judge Christopher
S. Brasher, and Rick Walker.
For more information: www.northfultonbar.org/.
Restaurant Recommendations
There are too many great restaurant options in the North Fulton
area to name. As the population and business community expands,
the number of high quality, big-city restaurants has also grown.
The ‘burbs are not just for Applebee’s and Taco Mac anymore.
If you have a client meeting scheduled in Johns Creek, Egg
Harbor Café and Mavericks Cantina are both quality options.
Egg Harbor Café has a variety of breakfast foods, sandwiches,
and salads, as well as the best restaurant coffee for picky
coffee folks (served HOT, for a welcome change). Mavericks
Cantina has a light Mexi-Cali surfer vibe and serves up delicious tacos (Chorizo tacos with French fries on top? Yes,
please!), shrimp tostadas, enchiladas, and margaritas. For
dinner, One41 is an excellent restaurant consistently serving some of the best Italian food in the Atlanta Metro area.
In Alpharetta, you cannot go wrong for lunch or dinner at the
Avalon development located at Exit 10 off of Georgia 400.
There are so many delicious options, including Bocado Burger
and The El Felix. Other great lunch options if you are near
Alpharetta include Vinny’s on Windward and Smokejack BBQ.
If you find yourself near the City of Milton, Milton’s Cuisine and
Cocktails is well worth a visit. It is set in a beautiful old farmhouse with gorgeous gardens alongside it, and the gourmet
Southern fare rivals the best restaurants in the Southeast region.
It has long been a favorite of the north metro suburbanites. ■
15
BOOK REVIEW
CAMPAIGN READING
By Michael Jablonski
Law Office of Michael Jablonski
michael.jablonski@comcast.net
I
I am asked every four years for suggestions about what
to read in order to understand the wacky way we select a
President. I cannot say “elect a President” because ordinary voters pick electors in November under the system
established in Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution. The
actual presidential election takes place on the first Monday
after the second Wednesday in December, as required by 3
U.S.C. § 7, when the 16 electors selected for Georgia in November meet under the gold dome. The votes are recorded in
six certificates signed by all the electors, 3 U.S.C. § 9, that are
sent separately to the President of the Senate, the Georgia
Secretary of State (who must keep them at least a year for public
inspection), the Archivist of the United States (two copies),
and the chief judge of the federal district court. 3 U.S.C. § 11.
Gonzo Journalism
The Twentieth Amendment
What you think that you know about politics is mediated. Unless you are able to actively participate in a campaign, the
information you receive is filtered by reporters and editors
(and increasingly by bloggers). The Boys on the Bus, by
Timothy Crouse, captures the mentality of the press corps
leading a life of constant travel, constant deadlines, and
a constant need to file something – anything – that might
make for good reading over morning coffee. Crouse wrote
about how the press actually covered the 1972 election not
by analyzing their output but by reporting what journalists
actually do based on observations in their natural habitats.
The way that the press covers candidates has changed. The
press corps is no longer largely male. Laptops, smartphones,
and tablets long ago replaced typewriters and dictating stories over landline phones. The sensibility of covering campaigns, however, endures. Crouse’s book entertains while
communicating a sense of the problems faced by reporters.
At 1:00 in the afternoon of January 6, the current Vice President
convenes a joint session of Congress in the Hall of the House
of Representatives to open the certificates from each state,
in alphabetical order, to certify the election. 3 U.S.C. § 15.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden cease to hold their offices,
according to the Twentieth Amendment, at precisely noon on
January 20. Their successors, having been chosen by electors in each state on December 19, immediately take office.
New Government
The historic and ceremony-filled process leading to the establishment of a new government is just one way in which
American democracy is aberrant when compared to that of
other countries. The election system employed here does
not meet international standards, as is often pointed out
by various organizations from other countries that come
to monitor the transparency and fairness of our elections.
(The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
has monitored every US election since 2002.) Making
sense of our elections and politics can be overwhelming.
16
May 2016
There are many excellent books analyzing our political system,
but many tend to be dry and pedantic. I want to highlight fun
to read works that convey the drama and humor of elections.
Hunter Thompson’s Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail
’72 remains one of the best narratives of an election campaign.
Thompson wrote serialized pieces for Rolling Stone during
the Nixon-McGovern election that were later collected by
Straight Arrow Books in this volume. Embedded early with
the McGovern campaign, Thompson delivers withering commentary on the mendacity that seems to infuse politics. The
book remains an outstanding example of gonzo journalism.
Filtered Information
Buckley
I might be the sole fan of the next book. The Unmaking of a
Mayor by William F. Buckley, Jr., details Buckley’s impossibly
hopeless campaign for New York mayor in 1966. (In his now
famous announcement speech Buckley stated that if elected
he would demand a recount.) The book sometimes seems
longer than its 341 pages when it slides into tedium while
discussing arcane political ideology, like the degree to which
Barry Goldwater channels Lincoln. Feel free to skip such
passages. Much of the book is insightful about day-to-day
campaign operations. It is at its best when Buckley ruminates
about how he was treated by the press. If it gets too heavy
for you, pick up The White House Mess by Buckley’s son,
Christopher. The first chapter, in which the incumbent president
decides on inauguration day that he likes the White House
too much to leave, is masterfully comic. The remainder of the
work sometimes lives up to the promise of the first chapter. The
Mess, by the way, does not refer to political shenanigans but to
food service in the West Wing, which is operated by the Navy.
No Way to Treat a First Lady, also by Christopher Buckley, is
better constructed and written, and will appeal more to lawyers
since one of its main characters, Boyce “Shameless” Baylor,
claims to be the undisputed best trial lawyer in the country. The
claim is founded, in part, by being the first to charge $1,000
per hour. OK. So the book is somewhat dated. Its satire of
power and politics as practiced in Washington still rings true.
Maintain Power
Re-reading Primary Colors, Joe Klein’s thinly veiled novel
about Bill Clinton, is always fun as primary season draws to
a close. The characters are well-drawn, and Klein manages
to execute exquisite portraits of every hack that gravitates
towards a political campaign. It is a brilliant piece of writing. Similarly, American Hero by Larry Beinhart asks how
far politicians will go to deceive voters to maintain power.
The book was reissued as Wag the Dog after the movie
based upon the novel became a hit. These books by Klein
and by Beinhart formed the basis for entertaining movies.
Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72
Hunter S. Thompson
(reissued by Simon & Schuster, 2012)
The Boys on the Bus
(reissued by Random House, 2013)
Timothy Crouse
Primary Colors
Anonymous (later acknowledged by Joe Klein)
(Random House, 1996)
American Hero (later known as Wag the Dog)
Larry Beinhart
(Pantheon, 1993)
The Unmaking of a Mayor
William F. Buckley, Jr.
(Encounter Books, 50th Anniversary Edition, 2015)
No Way to Treat a First Lady
Christopher Buckley
(Random House, 2002)
The White House Mess
Christopher Buckley
(Knopf, 1996)
Falling Up: How A Redneck Helped Invent Political Consulting
Raymond D. Strother
(LSU Press, 2003)
Storyteller by Heart
No reading list would be complete without mentioning the most
entertaining book I know about political consulting. In Falling Up:
How A Redneck Helped Invent Political Consulting, Ray Strother
masterfully recounts his thirty-year career crafting media and
strategy for political campaigns. The book is at its best when
telling stories of Louisiana campaigns full of scoundrels and
worse. Strother’s clients included a young Bill Clinton and Gary
Hart, as well as several Georgia candidates, including Gov. Roy
Barnes. Along the way he mentored people like James Carville,
Dick Morris, and (I am proud to add) me. Strother is at heart
a storyteller, and the stories he tells – you get to read just the
ones his lawyers would let him tell – are hilariously riveting. ■
17
LAWYER REFERRAL and INFORMATION SERVICE
AN HONOR TO SERVE
By Celia Sunne
Chair, Lawyer Referral and Information Service
M
y year as the chair of the Lawyer Referral Service
is coming to an end. It has been an amazing year.
Each year of the eight that I have served, I have
seen the LRIS expand and grow and become
more and more of what it intended to be from its inception.
This year we overhauled and migrated to a better referral
software database. Staying in step with new technology is
essential and it will help us serve more people who need
good legal representation.
The Atlanta Bar celebrated 60 years of service this year. Our
LRIS program was pleased and honored to celebrate our service as a lawyer referral program by awarding over $200,000
in grants to legal organizations who provide the community
with needed legal services. It was more money than we had
ever given in previous years. We have been successful and
we shared our success in the best way possible. We gave it
away to other non-profit legal services, other organizations
that provide invaluable legal services to our community.
I want to thank Carla Brown for
her ongoing and tireless dedication
over the years. She makes our job
on the Board so much easier. Carla
is always thinking, exploring and
developing the program.
I appreciate the time that our Board
members have dedicated to this
very important program. They
carve out time in their busy legal
practices to attend Board meetings. I extend a special thank you
to each of you. You are part of the
process and the LRIS continues
to succeed because of your input
and involvement.
As in years past we participated in the Legal Runaround 5k
for the Atlanta Bar Association. I was having a particularly
energetic day and managed to snag first in my age division,
a great shout-out for the LRIS.
We started a blog page for the public on our LRIS website,
which has been well received.
18
May 2016
I will be handing the gavel to
Laurie Robbins who will be the
chairperson next year. Laurie has
been a thoughtful and insightful Board member. Her leadership
will assure the continuing upward trajectory of the Lawyer Referral Service. It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve. ■
TECH TALK
WINDOWS 10 UPDATE
By Jackie Saylor
jsaylor@saylorlaw.com
I
f you are considering a move to Windows 10 from Windows
7 or Windows 8 and you want to get it for free, you have
until July 29, 2016 to reserve a copy. Microsoft’s Windows
10 has a very high adoption rate with free, continuous
upgrades; it has a Start menu which functions to “unify the
desktop PC, tablet, smartphone, game console, and Internet
of Things devices with a single OS and a single app store.”1
There are a number of features that are notable, such as
Cortana, the “voice-responsive personal digital assistant,”2
very good touch support and the Edge web browser, the
Internet Explorer replacement. Edge competes with Chrome
and is streamlined, more compatible and faster. The information above and in the following paragraph came from an
article in PC Magazine which reviewed Windows 10 after its
first upgrade; the article is quite positive, but its main “con”
was that Windows 10 is “less touch-friendly” than Windows
8 Browser and lacks extension support.3
Most people can get Windows 10 in two versions: Home and
Pro; most of the features are similar but the Pro adds features
that are helpful in an office setting, especially the BiltLocker
encryption. Since attorneys are responsible for protecting their
clients’ information, the security features of Pro are essential.
Even though it may seem obvious, you need to update from a
Professional version of 7 or 8 to get Pro.4 Of course if you buy
a new computer, Windows 10 Home or Pro is already on it.
However, not everyone is ready to jump on board yet. According to Lamont Burrell, the State Bar of Georgia Management
Information Systems Director, the State Bar is not installing
Windows 10 until next May or June. He assumes there will
be bugs for a while because companies release programs
knowing they have bugs. He believes that there should be
numerous fixes and updates between now and then that will
be helpful. Lamont states that as far as Windows 10 goes,
“no one is raving about it or trashing it.” He is not sure it is so
different from previous versions.
Some users think that Windows 10 is too busy and that it is
harder to find what you are looking for. A group of architects
told me that all the “cool” architects, engineers and corporations use Windows 7. Windows 10 is not seen as offering
something valuable. There is uncertainty whether Computer
Assisted Design (CAD) will work well. According to the architect, some features in Windows 10 are not liked by coders;
they believe that the computers “phone home” a lot, that is,
they send statistics to Microsoft.
One reason to be careful about upgrading to Windows 10 is
that many programs were made or updated before Windows
10 was released. That is, they were not built with Windows
10 in mind. One example of this is Intuit’s professional tax
return program software Lacerte. Lacerte recommended that
users of their latest program delay upgrading to Windows 10
until after April 18, a significant tax deadline. The program
does not support Windows 10 but Lacerte now reports that
it is compatible with Windows 10 and that it can be used for
the fall 2015 tax returns. We have heard many law firms are
moving to Windows 10 by July 29 to take advantage of the
free upgrade. ■
1
Muchmore, Michael. “Microsoft Windows 10.” PC
Mag. N.p., 14 Mar. 2016. Web. <http://www.pcmag.com/article/
print/336416>
2Id.
3Id.
4Id.
19
NEWS & NOTES
A TASTE OF MBLC
MBLC TASTE OF DIVERSITY COOK-OFF
On Saturday, April 23, the Multi-Bar Leadership Council hosted the 4th Annual Taste of Diversity Cook-Off at Grant Park with
over 100 people in attendance. MBLC member bar associations competed in three categories, appetizer, entrée and dessert.
Best Representation of the Theme Red, White and YOU! Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys
Appetizer
First Place – Georgia Asian Pacific
American Bar Association (GAPABA)
with Flame Broiled Scallops in a Georgia
Peach-Chipotle Gazpacho
Second Place – Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia with Coquille St. Jacques
20
May 2016
Entrée
First Place – Georgia Association of Black
Women Attorneys with melting pot stewed
chicken, 4 cheese americano mac &
cheese and bipartisan super greens
Second Place – Georgia Defense Lawyers Association - GDLA with Food Truck
Southern Gyro and Coleslaw
Dessert
First Place – Atlanta Bar Association with
Mince Pie and Ice Cream
Second Place – North Fulton Bar Association with Cinn-ful Barrister (brownie
parfait)
NEWS & NOTES
THE HONORABLE HORACE TALIAFERRO WARD:
HOW HIS INTELLECT, INTEGRITY AND INSPIRATION
CHANGED THE WORLD
By Judge Glenda A. Hatchett
The Hatchett Firm
J
udge Horace Taliaferro Ward will be most re-
Judge Ward’s wisdom, insight and belief in a better world not
membered to the legal community as the first
only inspired me as a young lawyer, it influenced the course
African-American ever appointed to serve as a federal
of my career and life of service. He not only shared his keen
judge in the state of Georgia. However, his journey
understanding of the law with me and others in the legal com-
to the federal bench and the impact of his life of service re-
munity, he required us to embrace our humanity and to use our
verberate far beyond this highly recognized appointment
time on this earth to positively impact the lives of other people.
by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. As a direct beneficiary
Born in 1927, as the only child of Minnie Ward, and raised during
of his selfless courage and quiet, yet deliberate mentoring
the era of Jim Crow laws, Judge Ward hails from the then segre-
of so many people, I am honored to write this tribute. Not
gated public school system of LaGrange, Georgia. Just like my
only because he personally changed the course of my own
own father, Judge Ward left LaGrange to attend college in the
life, but because many people still do not know and under-
Atlanta University Center. He joined the ranks of young, highly
stand the incredible history and legacy of this amazing man.
educated and forward thinking young scholars and in many
ways helped define the mystique of the Morehouse Man. While
On April 23, 2016, the world lost a giant of man who shouldered
earning a Master’s Degree at Atlanta University (now known
generations of attorneys, judges and individuals who have
as Clark Atlanta University), Judge Ward became interested
benefitted from his extraordinary intellect, unwavering integrity
in attending law school and had a keen understanding of how
and life-changing inspiration. It was my special privilege to
the law could help change society and usher in an era of equal
have served as Judge Horace T. Ward’s first law clerk when
rights. In 1950, in spite of the University of Georgia’s policy
he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the Federal
against the admission of Black students, with the help and sup-
Board as the first Black Federal Judge in the Deep South.
port of other visionaries such as his professor William Madison
On that historic morning, Judge Ward granted me a front row
Boyd, Judge Ward formally applied to the law school at UGA.
seat literally and figuratively to history as he raised his right
hand and took the oath of office in the same courtroom where
At the time, UGA did not even review the applications of
he had been denied admission to the University of Georgia’s
Black students. However, Judge Ward insisted that his
(UGA) Law School, decades before after a courageous in-
application be judged on its merits. After more than nine
tense and protracted legal battle led by Thurgood Marshall
months, the university denied his admission simply stat-
of the NAACP Defense Fund. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said,
ing that he was not qualified. Left with no other choice,
“the arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
a law suit was filed on his behalf in federal district court.
I know that I am the beneficiary of Judge Ward’s powerful
After years of delays, legal maneuvering and a suspiciously
legacy which literally changed the projectory of my profes-
timed draft notice that led to Judge Ward serving two years in
sional journey for which I am and will be eternally grateful.
the United States Army, including one year in Korea, he finally
21
NEWS & NOTES
had his day in court more than six years after submitting his
Throughout his life, Judge Ward quietly and with great modesty
application. Federal Judge Frank Hooper dismissed his case.
and humility changed the modern day legal community and our
society as a whole. I am so proud to be a native Atlantan, a
Even though he did not gain admission to UGA, Judge Ward’s
southern woman and a member of this diverse Bar of attorneys.
courage, strength and tenacity set the stage for the ultimate
We would not be who we are today, without the selfless sacri-
desegregation of the institution in 1961. After completing law
fices of Judge Ward. In 2014, UGA’s President Jere Morehead
school at Northwestern University, Judge Ward joined the law-
presented Judge Ward with an Honorary Law Degree from
yers who had assisted him in his case, Donald Lee Hollowell
the UGA School of Law. Later this month, the Georgia State
and Constance Baker Motley, to represent Hamilton Holmes
Bar was planning to honor him with the Randolph Thrower
and Charlayne Hunter in their quest to gain admissions to
Lifetime Achievement Award. I have no doubt that he would
UGA. After 175 years of segregation, UGA was desegregated.
have accepted the award graciously, but perhaps the greatest
Judge Ward’s continued efforts toward civil rights would include
gift we can all give him is to live our lives with purpose and to
numerous landmark civil rights cases such as representing
utilize the law to make the world an inclusive accepting place in
young Martin Luther King, Jr. the night that he was arrested
which all people are afforded equal opportunities and access. ■
in DeKalb County, GA and transported to Reidsville Prison.
ATLanta BAR association
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
The Atlanta Bar Association is the largest voluntary bar in the southeast.
Part of what makes our Bar so special is our expanse offerings of high quality, unique opportunities.
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22
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22
May 2016
Did You Know?
Stites & Harbison, PLLC
Corporate INTL magazine has selected attorney Paul Durdaller and Stites & Harbison, PLLC as recipients of the 2016
Corporate INTL’s Global Awards. Durdaller and the firm won
in the category of Asset Restructuring Law Firm of the Year
in Georgia. This is the fourth year that Corporate INTL has
honored the firm and Durdaller in this area of law. Durdaller
is a Creditors’ Rights & Bankruptcy attorney and the primary
contact for the firm’s asset restructuring practice in Georgia.
He is a Member (Partner) in the firm’s Atlanta office.
Paul Durdaller is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association’s
Bankruptcy section, Litigation Section and Real Estate Section.
The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
Maggie Vath, Atlanta Bar Association secretary and senior
lecturer at Georgia State University School of Law, ranks
among the 1 percent of lawyers in the United States who are
members of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
(ABF). The Fellows is an honorary organization of attorneys,
judges, law faculty and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to
the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles
of the legal profession.
Atlanta Bar Association President Harold Franklin (L), also
a board member of Georgia Appleseed, with Fulton County
District Attorney Paul Howard (R) at the 2016 Good Apple
Awards. Howard presented the award to Nelson Mullins for
their staff’s pro bono work on Georgia Appleseed’s “Race,
Law Enforcement and the Law project.
GEORGIA APPLESEED—
2016 Good Apple Awards
In 2015, Nelson Mullins’ Atlanta Office (an Atlanta Bar Association 100% Club member) fielded a team of 29 lawyers and 3
paralegals to conduct extensive legal research and coordinate
a massive statewide stakeholder interviewing initiative, which
ultimately informed Georgia Appleseed’s recently published
report: Seeking the Beloved Community –Fostering Crucial
Conversations about Race, Law Enforcement and the Law.
Nelson Mullins partner, Atlanta Bar Dispute Resolution Section Board Member-at-Large, and Georgia Appleseed board
member, Taylor Daly, was a critical part of the firm’s involvement. Nelson Mullins knows how to collaborate to produce
outstanding results. For this spirit of collaboration, Georgia
Appleseed was pleased to honor Nelson Mullins as the Law
Firm Honoree of the 2016 Good Apple Awards. Georgia Appleseed Young Professionals Council Honorees were Atlanta
Bar members Rachel Platt and Craig Friedman.
L-R: Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard; Nelson
Mullins’ Anita Wallace Thomas (and Atlanta Bar Association
Board of Directors Member-at-Large), Maria Branch Turner
and Suhail Seth; Georgia Appleseed Executive Director Sharon N. Hill and Georgia Appleseed Board Chair David Sneed.
23
100% Club
Firms of 100+ Attorneys
Firms of 5-24 Attorneys
Berman Fink Van Horn PC
Bodker Ramsey Andrews Winograd & Wildstein, PC*
Chilivis, Cochran, Larkins & Bever, LLP
Alston + Bird LLP*
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP*
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP
Hawkins Parnell Thackston & Young, LLP
Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial, LLC
Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore, LLP*
Bovis, Kyle, Burch & Medlin, LLC
Burr & Forman LLP*
Goodman McGuffey Lindsey & Johnson, LLP
Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart, PC
Rogers & Hardin LLP*
*Denotes Charter Members
The distinguished 100% Club recognizes law
firms of at least five attorneys that support
firm-wide participation in the Atlanta Bar.
The following firms are recognized for their
demonstrated commitment to the Atlanta
Bar Association, which furthers quality
services for its members, supports the legal
profession and benefits the community
through its charitable work.
For more information on how your firm can
become a member, contact
mpinkelton@atlantabar.org.
Autry, Hanrahan, Hall & Cook, LLP
Barrett & Farahany, LLP
Davis, Matthews & Quigley, PC*
Fellows LaBriola, LLP*
Fields Howell LLP
Friedman, Dever & Merlin, LLC
Gaslowitz Frankel LLC
Gray, Rust, St. Amand, Moffett & Brieske LLP
Hedgepeth, Heredia & Reider LLC
Kessler & Solomiany, LLC*
Kitchens Kelley Gaynes, PC*
Krevolin & Horst, LLC*
Lefkoff Duncan Grimes McSwain & Hass, PC
Levine Smith Snider & Wilson, LLC
Macey, Wilensky & Hennings, LLC*
Mayoue Gray Eittreim, PC
Mozley Finlayson & Loggins, LLP*
Nancy J. Whaley | Standing Chapter 13 Trustee
Parks Chesin & Walbert, PC
Peters & Monyak, LLP*
Richards Bloom & Lines LLC
Savell & Williams, LLP*
Scrudder, Bass, Quillian, Horlock, Taylor
& Lazarus, LLP
Stern & Edlin Family Law, PC*
Stites & Harbison, PLLC
Stokes Lazarus & Carmichael LLP*
Public Interest Law Firms
Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.*
Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation*
24
May 2016
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SECTION UPDATE
Dispute Resolution
By John Allgood
Ford & Harrison LLP
jallgood@fordharrison.com
May 4, 2016 Breakfast Meeting
The Dispute Resolution Section of the Atlanta Bar concluded
the 2015-2016 program series with its breakfast meeting on
May 4, 2016. Hunter Hughes of Hunter ADR presented a
talk on “How our Subconscious Bias Impacts Negotiations
and the Mediation Process. The presentation included among
other topics a discussion of the short cuts that are part of the
decision process by the brain and which often do not reflect
objective standards or adequate research by the decision
maker. These instinctive behaviors or heuristics, play a part
in most decision making including case evaluations. Hughes
pointed out the problems for negotiators and mediators who
fail to account for this impact on negotiation decision making
and further offered preparation steps that can be taken to
ning as a pioneer lawyer who promoted alternative dispute
resolution processes, were given to winning law students
from Emory, Georgia State University, Mercer University and
the University of Georgia. In addition, each year the Dispute
Resolution Section provides a book award to graduating law
students who have achieved the highest grade in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) courses offered at Georgia
Law Schools. The Henning Award students recognized at
the breakfast were Katherine Grace Williams from Georgia
State University, Natasha Cooper from Emory University and
Taylor Drew Murray from the University of Georgia. Catherine
Roberts Hawley of Emory received the Book Award. Wesley
B. Beamon at Mercer University received the Henning Award.
avoid results based on the application of heuristic thinking.
For the coming year, Halsey Knapp will serve as the Chair
The Henning Award
Eileen Thomas will be Secretary/Treasurer. Members at Large
The Dispute Resolution Section also recognized and presented awards to recent Georgia Law School graduates who
have excelled in Dispute Resolution courses at Georgia Law
for the Section, Greg Presmanes will be the Vice Chair and
for the coming year are Terrence Croft, Erika Birg, Kenney
Menendez, Frank Lightmas, Greg Crochet, Hugh Bell,
Joan Grafstein, Dan Gulden, Taylor Daly and Ruth Isaac.
Schools. The Henning Award which includes a certificate of
recognition and a check for $500.00 given to honor Ed Hen-
Do you have AN article IDEA?
The Atlanta Lawyer always welcomes fresh ideas for articles from our
members. Let us know what interests you!
Send ideas for consideration to jgray@atlantabar.org
26
May 2016
SECTION UPDATE
Labor & Employment
By Daniel P. Hart
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
dhart@Seyfarth.com
From new DOL regulations on the FLSA’s white-collar exemptions and enactment of the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act to
historic decisions by the NLRB and the United States Supreme
Court, the past twelve months have witnessed significant developments in labor and employment law. In the midst of such
historic legal developments, during the 2015-2016 term the
Labor & Employment Section of the Atlanta Bar Association
has continued its long tradition of promoting legal excellence
and civility among labor and employment lawyers in Atlanta.
Promoting Excellence and Civility
Led by its indomitable Chair, Craig Cleland, the Section
filled its calendar with events and activities aimed squarely
at promoting excellence and civility among its members and
the bar at large. With its loyal sponsor and strident supporter,
Sullivan Strickler, by its side, the Section jumpstarted the
2015-2016 term on September 29, 2015 with its first of four
happy hour events. A month later, on October 28, the Section
held a second happy hour, this time jointly with the Workers’
Compensation Section. And, just a few months later, on February 2, 2016, the Section held its third happy hour.
“In the Trenches” CLE Seminar
On March 18, 2016, the Labor & Employment Section hosted
its annual advanced employment law CLE seminar, “In the
Trenches—Dispatches from Judicial, EEOC, Inhouse, Plaintiff,
and Defense Experts.” At the annual seminar, a distinguished
panel of labor and employment lawyers presented informative and practical presentations on a variety of timely topics,
including challenges facing in-house lawyers, the EEOC’s ADA
enforcement agenda, navigating the Fair Credit Reporting
Act, arbitrating employment claims, transgender issues in the
workplace, plaintiffs’ counsel perspectives on L&E trends and
practices, and the latest developments in waivers, settlement
agreements, and restrictive covenants. All attendees earned
8 CLE hours, including 1 Ethics, 2 Professionalism and 2 Trial
Practice credits.
The Section was particularly honored to have Christopher
Kuczynski and the Honorable Alan Baverman among its
seminar faculty. Having travelled from Washington, D.C., Mr.
Kuczynski, the Assistant Legal Counsel and Director of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Division (now the
ADA/GINA Policy Division) with the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC), updated the attendees on
the EEOC’s enforcement agenda and led an insightful discussion on the ADA and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). And later, during lunch, the Honorable Alan
Baverman, U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Georgia, presented the keynote address,
“View from the Bench—Beyond Reasonably Calculated: The
Amended Federal Rules’ New Playing Field.”
Second Joint Happy Hour
The following month, on April 28, the Section held its second
joint happy hour of the year—the fourth overall, this time with
the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers.
Annual Spring Luncheon
On Friday, May 20, the Section will host its annual spring
luncheon, the last official act of the 2015-2016 Labor & Employment Section’s Board. The luncheon will be held at noon
at the Capital City Club and will feature a keynote address, “A
Perspective on Practice,” by the Honorable William S. Duffey, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
At the spring luncheon, the Section will honor the top laborand-employment law students from the Atlanta law schools:
Chelsea Marie Deppert (Emory), William C. McDonald
(Georgia State), and Benjamin F. Baker (John Marshall).
In addition, at the spring luncheon, the Section will recognize
all Board members and its outgoing Chair for their tireless efforts on behalf of the Section of the past year. The Section will
also recognize former Board Chair William C. (Cory) Barker
and former Communications Director and Board member Ellen B. Malow, both of whose terms expire this year. And the
27
Section will hand over leadership of the Board to its new slate
of Board Members: Chair: Amanda Farahany, Vice Chair:
Adriana Midence Scott, Secretary/Treasurer: Robert Lewis,
Immediate Past Chair: A. Craig Cleland, Members at Large:
Jaime L. Duguay, Benjamin I. (Ben) Fink, Travis Foust, David
E. Gevertz, Daniel Klein, Daniel P. Hart, Ian E. Smith, and
T. K. Smith. Calvin Blackburn and Craig Friedman will be
joining the 2016-2017 Board. On behalf of the Board of the
Labor & Employment Section, we thank all members of the
Section for their support and involvement over the past year.
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May 2016
SECTION UPDATE
Litigation
By Stephen P. Cummings
King & Spalding LLP
scummings@kslaw.com
Exciting Spring Programs
The Litigation Section has put on a number of exciting programs this spring, including a program on March 11, 2016,
which featured Cathy Hampton, City Attorney, City of Atlanta,
Nancy Kumar, General Counsel Organization – Lead Attorney, Georgia Power Company, Elizabeth Robertson, Vice
President-Chief Litigation Counsel, Crawford & Company,
who spoke about “Practical Advice from In-House Litigation
Counsel: How Outside Counsel Can Better Serve Their Clients’
Needs”; a program on April 15, 2016, which featured Jonathan
Hawkins, Krevolin & Horst LLC, who spoke about “Negotiations: Back to the Basics ”; and a program on May 13, 2016,
which featured Stacey Evans, S.G. Evans Law, LLC, and
Wendell Willard, Law Office of Wendell Willard, who spoke
about the “2016 Georgia Legislative Update.”
Bench & Bar Reception Honoring
Judge T. Jackson Bedford–May 10, 2016
The Section also co-sponsored an event with the Public Interest Section on April 20, 2016 that was entitled “A Dream
Deferred? Challenges to Obama’s Immigration Policies, Executive Overreach & United States v. Texas.” On May 10,
2016, the Section held the 2016 Bench and Bar reception,
which was hosted by Nelson Mullins, and the Honorable T.
Jackson Bedford, Jr., Deputy Chief of the Superior Court
of Fulton County, graciously received the Logan E. Bleckley
Distinguished Service Award.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events include a joint happy hour with the Corporate Counsel Section on June 8, 2016 that is being hosted
by Morris Manning & Martin, LLP. On June 10, 2016 the
Section is sponsoring “Rock the Cash Bar: Law Jam 2016,”
which benefits the Atlanta Bar Foundation, at the Buckhead
Theatre. Information about both events can be found on the
Atlanta Bar’s website www.atlantabar.org.
Next Year’s Members of the Litigation
Board of Directors
After the recent elections, I would like to congratulate next
year’s members of the Litigation Section Board of Directors:
Chair: Christina Baugh
Vice Chair/Chair-Elect: Edward Konieczny
Secretary: Robert Huestis
Treasurer: Louis Cohan
Members-at-Large:
Elizabeth Adler
M. Gino Brogdon Jr.
Hon. Susan E. Edlein
John D. Hadden
Robert Khayat
and Simon R. Malko
Emeritus Member: Terrence L. Croft
Let Us Know
We look forward to next year and invite you to reach out to
any member of the Board of Directors if you have events that
you want the Section to consider or topics to propose for an
upcoming breakfast meeting or CLE program.
We are currently accepting articles for the Section’s newsletter
for next year, The Litigator, and anyone that wishes to submit
an article should contact John Hadden at jhadden@haddenfirm.com. As part of the Section’s judicial outreach efforts, next
year we will continue to offer free admission for all judges and
judicial law clerks who wish to attend the Section’s events.
The Litigation Section would like to thank its 2015-2016 sponsors for their support. They are ATS (Applied Technical Services); Duplicating Products, Esquire Solutions; Habif, Arogeti
& Wynne, LLP; JAMS, and The Partners Group.
29
SECTION UPDATE
Solo Practitioner/Small Firm
By Rob Huestis
Huestis Law LLC
rob@businesslawga.com
The Solo Practitioner/Small Firm Section has had an exciting
year. In the last few months alone, we have been honored to
welcome as speakers at our monthly breakfast and luncheon
meetings subject-matter experts on a wide range of topics:
financial solutions for growing a small firm; technology, data
and ethics; time-saving technology tips for busy lawyers;
staffing larger projects with on-demand attorneys; how the
Americans with Disabilities Act impacts our practices; and,
the Fair Business Practices Act and the Georgia Lemon Law.
We also want to give a special thanks to Judge Christopher
J. McFadden of the Georgia Court of Appeals for his wellattended and attentively received talk, “What Five Years on the
Bench have Taught Me that 25 Years at the Bar Didn’t.” This
was truly one of the bright spots on an otherwise great year.
Socials
The SPSF Section has also spent time socializing. Our recent
happy hour with the Women in the Profession Section at Hop
City at Krog Street Market was a huge hit, and a wonderful
time was had by all. Earlier in the year, we got together with
the ACYL Section for some delicious brews at the Brookhaven
Beer Growler.
30
May 2016
Active Participation
The active participation of our members at our monthly breakfast
and luncheon meetings has kept the SPSF Section treasury
in good stead. This, in turn, has allowed the SPSF Section to
continually sponsor such events as the upcoming LawJam:
Rock the Cash Bar on June 10, 2016 at the Buckhead Theatre.
We are also pleased to continue our support of the Summer
Law Internship program in 2016, which kicks off on June 17
at Alston & Bird. We want to acknowledge Wade Malone
and so many others for their dedication and support of this
worthy program.
The SPSF Section Board would like to extend a special and
heartfelt thanks to our sponsors. Much of what we do would
not be possible without their support. It was great to see John
Albano from Sullivan Strickler LLC and Vince Gorzo of Intelligent Office Atlanta at many of our recent events. Thank you
to all our sponsors!
Finally, a special thanks to the SPSF Section Board for making
2015-2016 such an enjoyable and enriching experience. Our
incoming Chair, Louis Cohan, will likewise have the pleasure
of working with an energetic, enthusiastic and intelligent Board.
The SPSF Section is in good hands for years to come!
SECTION UPDATE
Tax Law
By Julian A. Fortuna
Taylor English Duma LLP
jfortuna@taylorenglish.com
The 2016 fiscal year has been a busy one for the Atlanta Tax
Law Section. We hosted numerous luncheons, social mixers,
ongoing CLEs, and many other events throughout the year.
As the fiscal year comes to an end, we would like to recap
these events and offer a sneak peek of the remaining events
to close out the summer.
The Tax Law Section kicked off the fiscal year with its Annual
Joint Summer Reception with the Georgia Society of CPAs,
held on August 20, 2015. The evening mixer hosted attorneys
and accountants from the Atlanta area for drinks and hor
d’oeurves at the Park Tavern overlooking Piedmont Park.
Despite the rain, 65 attendees enjoyed the evening, meeting
new members and catching up with familiar faces.
On Oct. 19, 2015, I moderated a lunch panel discussion
on Employee Stock Ownership Plans at the Grand Hyatt in
Buckhead. Panelists included Leah Singleton from Alston
& Bird and Nick Heinz from our long-time, loyal sponsor,
Mercer Capital. The specialized topic attracted more than 40
attendees, comprised of a diverse mix of attorneys, CPAs,
bankers, and other professionals.
On November 13, 2015, the Tax Law Section partnered with the
Estate Planning and Probate Section and sponsor Diversified
Trust to present the 12th Annual Estate Planning Forum at
the Cobb Energy Center. The program this year was a panel
discussion moderated by Steve Gorin from Thompson Coburn,
with panelists Bill Lankford, Tony Turner, and Brook Lester.
The panel focused on “Estate Planning with S Corporations
and Partnerships.” Steve Gorin’s outline for the seminar was
over 880 pages. The three hour interactive program attracted
nearly 100 attendees, many of whom stayed for drinks and
hor d’oeurves afterwards.
On Dec. 2, 2015, the Tax Law Section sponsored its semiannual Georgia Department Of Revenue/Tax Bar Liaison
Committee Meeting at the State Bar of Georgia building.
The panel was moderated by Richard Litwin of the Litwin
Law Firm, Frank O’Connell, General Counsel of the Georgia
Department of Revenue, and Mace E. Gunter of Jones Day.
The event serves as a semi-annual meeting of the Department
and tax practitioners, discussing updates and developments
on Georgia state tax issues, court decisions, and insight into
tax items for the upcoming legislative session.
The Tax Law Section offered its fourth annual “Ethics and
Professionalism” CLE seminar focusing on Circular 230 and
practice before the Georgia Tax Tribunal. Similar to prior years,
the speakers included the Hon. Charles R. Beaudrot, Jr.,
former Chief Judge of the Georgia Tax Tribunal, and attorney
David F. Golden of Troutman Sanders.
On March 10, 2016, the Tax Law Section held its annual
social mixer at Gordon Biersch in Buckhead with the Elder
Law, Estate Planning & Probate Law Sections, as well as the
Financial Planning Association of Georgia. As usual, the event
was well-attended and offered practitioners an opportunity
to make new introductions and spend time with old friends.
The Atlanta Tax Law Section was also a proud participant in
the Atlanta Bar Association’s Pro Bono March Madness. This
year, the Tax Law Section joined with the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta to present a seminar on the Tax Aspects of
Non Profit organizations at the annual event held on March
22nd. David Golden, Richard Litwin, Patti Richards and I
all made presentations.
Most recently, on April 19, 2016, the Tax Law Section held a
joint luncheon with the Georgia Society of CPAs at the Buckhead Club. The luncheon offered both CLE and CPE credit,
with Vice Chair Scott Wright and Madison J. Barnett, from
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, discussing Georgia state tax
credits and incentives.
The last two events took place on May 17, 2016 when Richard
Litwin discussed Georgia State Residency and on May 23,
2016 when Georgia Department Of Revenue/Tax Bar Liaison
Committee Meeting was held at the State Bar of Georgia
building. The Atlanta Tax Law Section would like to thank its
members, its sponsor Mercer Capital, and the Atlanta Bar Association for another great year. We are looking forward to the
new fiscal year and hope to see everyone at the next event!
31
SECTION UPDATE
Women in the Profession
By Sarah Cipperly & Megan Hodgkiss
Sarah@cipperlylawgroup.com, mthodgkiss@gmail.com
Ten Years of WIP
Thank you to everyone who has helped WIP celebrate our big
10th birthday this year! From socials to CLEs to breakfasts to
panels, we have had a great year. And it is not over yet! More
is yet to come. Did you miss out on any of the great events
WIP put on this year? Come join us next year! We host an
event monthly: an educational event, networking social, or
both. We are active in pro bono legal services and community
service, and there is always someone for everyone. Come be
part of WIP in the next bar year!
What is the Women in the Profession all
about?
We are a section dedicated to furthering the practice and perception of law with a focus on issues unique to women in the
practice. We offer CLEs and programs on issues relevant to
women and law, as well as networking events allowing lawyers
to meet each other and develop support systems and mentors.
We organize and encourage community service opportunities
for our members and friends, and we make pro bono legal
service a no-brainer with our long-standing partnership with
Atlanta Legal Aid’s Breast Cancer Legal Project.
Our CLEs and Programs
This year, we hosted a variety of CLEs and educational programs. These included: Our partnership with JAMS, featuring
an October lunch CLE on international mediation; our 10th
anniversary panel discussing why we need women and minority bar sections today; and in March, our own March Madness
section, one of the most popular of the month, hosted by The
Atlanta Legal Aid Society and training our members on assisting pro bono clients with simple wills.
Our Networking Events
There was no shortage of opportunity to meet fellow bar
members this year! We continued our tradition of kicking off
the bar year with a September social at Little Trouble in West
32
May 2016
Midtown. We had a great turnout with lots of members and
friends! In November, we had our second annual fall networking breakfast in Midtown at J. Christopher’s.
December always brings our annual Holiday Party. This year,
we were lucky to ring in the holidays at the home of Immediate Past Chair Heather Miller. If you have never come by our
annual holiday party, we would love to have you. It is the time
of year when our dearest friends and members get together
for great food and good cheer (and adult beverages).
One of our favorite events every year is the joint social we do
with another section of the Atlanta Bar. This year, we teamed
up with the Solo/Small Firm section for a social at Krog Street
Market. We took advantage of the great location, great food,
and great drinks to have a successful event with other Atlanta
Bar friends. Please join us next time!
Community Service and Pro Bono
WIP is most proud of the work it does around the Atlanta community. WIP focuses its commitments on causes that impact
women and children. To that end, WIP has long supported
the Breast Cancer Legal Project, helping low-income women
battling breast cancer, and Forever Family, which supports children whose mothers are currently incarcerated. WIP has also
collaborated with organizations and causes that help survivors
of human trafficking. WIP is also involved with causes near
and dear to the Atlanta Bar. This year, we sent a sponsored
team to the Legal Runaround, collected gift cards for Forever
Family, trained lawyers to interview clients at the hospital and
prepare wills for low-income cancer patients, sent a team of
walkers to the Komen-Atlanta Race for the Cure, supported
the Summer Internship program, AVLF’s domestic violence
programs, and collected toiletries for Wellspring Living. Our
community involvement is a key piece of WIP’s leadership in
the Bar. Everyone is welcome to join us!
Celebrating Ten Years:
What is Still to Come
It has been a big year, but we are not done yet! Please join
us for more celebrations!
May 24, WIP at the Atlanta Bar Annual Meeting
WIP is thrilled to announce it received the Small Section of the
Year Award! Please join us to celebrate at the Annual Meeting
at Piedmont Driving Club on May 24. Be sure to drop by the
WIP table and say hi! We’d love to see you.
Annual Outstanding Woman of Achievement Luncheon
Every year, WIP recognizes a woman lawyer who has done
great things to advance the profession for women and who
has done great work to advance the women of the Atlanta
Bar. Past recipients include major law firm partners, entrepreneurial solos, judges, and the General Counsel of the
State Bar. This year, WIP is proud to recognize Atlanta Bar
Immediate Past President Jackie Saylor as the Outstanding
Woman of Achievement. We will be recognizing Jackie at our
annual luncheon. Jackie Saylor has been a staunch supporter
and leader of WIP since its beginnings. We look forward to
celebrating with you!
1. Women in the Profession Section’s March Pro Bono Madness
CLE, “Wills and Advance Directives for Low-Income Clients.”
2. Women in the Profession’s Section’s 10th Anniversary
event, “Women in the Profession at 10: A Panel Discussion
and Reception.”
3. Members of the Atlanta Bar Association’s Women in the
Profession Section and Atlanta Legal Aid’s Breast Cancer
Legal Project at the Susan G. Komen of Greater Atlanta’s
Annual “Race for the Cure” 5K.
4. Women in the Profession Section’s “15th Annual Woman
of Achievement Luncheon.”
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Save the date! WIP Woman of Achievement Luncheon
June 23, 2016
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thank you again to everyone who has been a part of WIP this
year. Please keep in touch with us on Facebook and watch for
our 10th Anniversary Newsletter coming soon. To be sure you
do not miss a beat, please consider joining the section! The
cost is low and the benefit is great. We welcome everyone,
and we cannot wait to meet you. See you soon at a WIP event!
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2015-2016 SUPPORTING
SPONSORS
The Atlanta Bar Association is proud of its partnerships with its sponsors, but does not endorse or in any way guarantee
any of the products or services of sponsoring companies.
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April 2016
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