The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association has announced that, due to the overwhelming response received in 2014, the first-of-its-kind 7th Amendment Scholarship Essay Competition will return for its second year in 2015. Created to recognize college-bound high school seniors who exhibit a keen awareness of the societal and judicial value of the 7th Amendment Right to Trial by Jury and Georgia’s Civil Justice System, the Scholarship Essay Competition asks applicants to apply their knowledge of the 7th Amendment to a real-world situation. For more information on the Scholarship Essay Competition and to view the 2015 Application, please visit www.gtla.org/scholarship.

As GTLA's Legislative Team continues to work around-the-clock at the Capitol to protect and uphold your clients' constitutional rights and your ability to represent deserving plaintiffs in Georgia, the Civil Justice PAC is hard at work to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Because our State Legislature is on a two-year election cycle, a vast majority of the elected officials who were just elected (or re-elected) last November will begin campaigning anew when the Legislature adjourns on April 2nd. To prepare for this, your Civil Justice PAC is taking the necessary steps now to ensure that we are ready to support the campaigns of elected officials and candidates who believe in the immense value of Georgia's Civil Justice System and we need your help! Please consider making a one-time or recurring contribution to the PAC by clicking the link below, or email Civil Justice PAC Executive Director Caroline McLean at mcarolinemclean@gmail.com. With your help, we will be prepared to stand strong in defense of the Right to Trial by Jury and the Civil Justice System well into 2015 and beyond!

On Saturday, February 6th, GTLA's Women's Trial Lawyers Caucus came together at the Punchline Comedy Club for an evening of laughter and fellowship as they attended the comedy show of Caroline Rhea - an acclaimed stand-up comedian and actress. It was an unforgettable evening for members of our Women's Trial Lawyer Caucus - and a few brave spouses! - and we can't wait to do it again. If you would like to get involved with our Women's Trial Lawyer Caucus, please contact Chairman Mia Frieder at miafrieder@hilleylaw.com.

The Cobb Trial Lawyers Association hosted their Annual Legislative Reception on Thursday, January 22nd at Willie Rae's on Marietta Square. In addition to Cobb TLA President Aaron Strimban and GTLA President Linley Jones, the Cobb Trial Lawyers were joined by State Representatives Micah Gravley, Erica Thomas, Bert Reeves and Roger Bruce for an evening of food, fun and fellowship as we kicked off another Legislative Session with fellow trial lawyers and friends. 

If you would like to get involved with your Local Trial Lawyers Association, please click here or contact GTLA Grassroots Director Micah Gravley at mgravley@gtla.org.

  

 Cobb TLA Chairman Aaron Strimban, State Representative Bert Reeves, GTLA President Linley Jones, State Representative Erica Thomas & State Representative Micah Gravley

Please save the date to join the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association for the 2015 Annual Convention & President's Gala on Thursday, April 30th & Friday, May 1st at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead. Offering truly top-notch CLE from the best and brightest legal minds in Georgia, you'll have the opportunity to earn 14 CLE Credit Hours - including 3 Trial, 1 Ethics & 1 Professionalism - all in the course of just two days! Plus, with four different tracks running simultaneously each afternoon - including motor vehicle, family law, lien resolution, evidence and may others - there is sure to be something for every member of GTLA. And, as anyone who has attended the Annual Convention in the past will tell you, the social calendar at the Annual is second-to-none, and is always highlighted by the New Lawyers Division Party and the President's Gala! Spaces are going fast, so be sure to sign up today!

Did you know that GTLA's Verdict Journal also comes with a fully-interactive digital version? Use the search function to quickly find the exact article, legal term or author that you're looking for, click on the sponsors' advertisements to learn more about their companies, bookmark a page for quick future reference and so much more! This quarter's edition - The Business Side of Practicing Law - focuses on the role that trial lawyers play outside of the courtroom. Namely, it highlights our role as small business owners and employees, and give real-world, practice advice about navigating the waters of successfully running your own business. We hope that you find this edition to be an insightful, useful reference for your practice!