Archive | Printer-Friendly | Send to a Friend | www.gtla.org | Advertise July 21 2011
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

At the recent AAJ Convention, political directors from across the country lamented the attacks on both the tort systems and the workers’ compensation systems of their states. With neighboring states passing caps on damages or another type of Draconian tort reform or a restriction of the rights of injured workers, we must prepare for a full-scale onslaught. To that end, we are focusing intently this summer and fall on GTLA’s grassroots legislative initiative, the 236 Program.  Our political team members – Bill Clark, Wendi Clifton, Jason Rooks, Jim Collins, and Micah Gravley – are working hard to match up legislators and GTLA members in a sophisticated, methodical manner. Ultimately, however, this program’s success depends entirely on you, so please respond when they call Even better, don’t wait for their call – make it a point to spend some time with your legislator now. Whether you handle liability cases or workers’ compensation claims, developing and furthering your relationship with your legislators is the best protection we – and all Georgia’s citizens – have against the inevitable and unceasing efforts to weaken our justice system.

Geoff Pope
GTLA President

 
Ringler Associates
FEATURE
Jill Johnson joined the GTLA as communications director at the beginning of 2011. She comes to GTLA from Georgia Conservation Voters, where she served as political director for almost four years. Johnson has more than a decade of experience working in advocacy with environmental non-profits and has been a registered lobbyist at the Georgia General Assembly since 2005.

As communications director, she helps manage public relations, news media, online and print publications. She works with the legislative team during the session to keep GTLA members and the media informed of bills impacting their work and their clients.

"I’m excited to be part of a great team at GTLA that stands vigilant against attacks on our civil justice system," Johnson said. "I look forward to helping tell the stories of the important work being done by trial lawyers to hold wrongdoers accountable and protect the rights of patients and consumers."

She is working to build and strengthen GTLA’s Communications Committee. If you have ideas and would like to get more involved, please contact her at jjohnson@gtla.org.
 
GRASSROOTS REPORT
President Geoff Pope has continued his tour of the local TLA chapters promoting GTLA's Lawyer of the Day Program and the 236 Program, most recently visiting with the Athens and Cobb TLAs. His next stop will be in Macon on August 3 to address the Middle Georgia TLA.

Some of GTLA’s preferred partners are also working with us to sponsor small roundtable lunches to better identify the needs of our members. If you are interested in hosting a lunch or to learn more about GTLA's Local Grassroots TLA Initiative, please contact Micah Gravley.

Visit the GTLA Calendar of Events for upcoming events in your area.
 
LexisNexis
CIVIL JUSTICE PAC
Your Civil Justice PAC is proud to announce the launch of our brand-new website, www.civiljusticepac.com. The site features useful information, acknowledgement of donors, legislative information and easy one-click payment options to make contributing to the PAC easier than ever! Our new website was made possible by an in-kind contribution of services by Sam Chontos and Heystac, Inc. Please check out the website today and email Dawn Painter if you have any feedback, questions or concerns.
 
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

THANK YOU to Our Newest GTLA Champion Members!

Lloyd N. Bell, Samantha A. DiPolito, Robb Howell, Steven Salcedo, Don Singleton & Michael L. Thurmond

Welcome New GTLA Members!

Amy M. Adams, Lois H. Adams, Mitchell L. Albert, III, Carol W. Allen, Cindy Allen, Malone W. Allen, John Anderson, Blake Andrews, Rachel Belcher, Stephen J. Berk, B.J. Bernstein, Anne M. Braham, Monica M. Bray, Mary Burkhard, Kacie Butcher, Matthew Byrne, Mark A. Calhoun, G. Morris Carr, Beverly Carson, Geoffrey V. Carson, Mayra Carter, Patrick M. Connolly, Cara M. Convery, Ashley B. Cooper, Carlos Corless, Brian W. Craig, Kenneth P. Crosson, Keishan J. Davis, Arman M. Deganian, Rachel Deloach, Andre Dennis, Samantha A. DiPolito, David A. Dismuke, Margaret N. Dyal, Ken Ehrlich, Andrew C. Evans, Stacey Godfrey Evans, Darrell T. Farr, Caryn S. Fennell, David Fife, Robert T. Fisher, Melissa L. Floyd, Brittney L. Fredrick, John Gelzer, Tamilka M. Graham, David F. Guldenschuh, Dean Gunnells, Amy Hadra, Zuberi Hanson, Tom Harper, Kaley Harris, Lauren N. Harris, Meg S. Helstowski, Courtney Ann Henderson, Genet M. Hopewell, Katherine V. Hung, Willie Buddy Huntley, Kellie A. Iler, Robert L. Jenkins, Thomas Jerrell, Brenda S. Johnson, Francys Johnson, Ellaretha Jones, Ambadas Joshi, Douglas F. Kaleita, Jesse C. Kent, Thomas J. Kerr, Priti Khanna, Pamela Haidt Lee, Thomas J. Lyman, Billy Maddox, Alyssa Maloof, Liandra Marchan, John L. Mays, Matthew H. Michaud, Justin D. Miller, Phyllis Miller, Chris E. Miranda, Christopher L. Moore, Douglas D. Nguyen, Jessica Norman, Douglas L. Okorocha, Dallas S.F. Oliver, Ela Orenstein, Matthew C. Pettefer, Edward A. Piasta, Leanna Bankester Pittard, Alan G. Poole, Jr., Marshall L. Portivent, Jr., Joseph R. Prine, Jr., Bryan M. Pritchett, Latoya S. Reed, Daniel Ellis Rice, DeAndre V. Rivers, Eric Roden, Douglas Rohan, Brian K. Ross, Julian Sanders, Katie Savage, Alesia M. Schnur, Stephen A. Shea, Lynn Sheffield, Jill Sheridan, Randy Scott Slater, Louise N. Smith, Nicole R. Stanton, Deirdre Stephens-Johnson, Matthew B. Stoddard, Ta'Ronce M. Stowes, April L. Swanson, Kevin Sweat, Michelle Terrette, David M. Thomas, Michael L. Thurmond, Blake Tillery, Holly Titus, Mariette Torres, Shawn K. Tremblay, Carla D. Veira, Kevin Watters, Lisa G. Wells, Arlissa Williams, Danielle M. Wrick & Beth Young

If you know someone who should be a member of GTLA, invite him or her to join or contact Emily Wring!

 
UPCOMING GTLA EVENTS

For those of you unable to join us at the Auto Torts Workshop, you can order the materials on CD-ROM for only $65!  Email Emily Wring for details.  We hope to see you at an upcoming CLE or social event!

Jul 28-30 Auto Torts Workshop * Hilton Sandestin * Destin
Aug 25 New Lawyers Division Happy Hour * East Andrews * Atlanta
Oct 7 Fall Workshop * AVIA Hotel * Savannah
Nov 9 Getting Your Case to Trial * State Bar of GA * Atlanta
Dec 9 Holiday Workshop * St. Regis Hotel * Atlanta

To RSVP or register for an event, please visit www.gtla.org.

 
Collision Specialists, Inc.
Empire Settlement Funding
Donovan Reporting PC
Fast Funds, Inc.
 

Founded in 1956, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA) is dedicated to strengthening and upholding Georgia’s civil justice system and protecting the rights of Georgia citizens and consumers.

GTLA works in the legislative, political and media arenas to ensure that Georgians know and understand the importance of their rights to justice and to make certain that these rights, which are at the very core of what it means to be American, are safeguarded and protected.

 
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
101 Marietta Street, NW
Suite 3350, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone (404) 522-8487 | Fax (404) 522-3705

We would appreciate your comments or suggestions. Your email will be kept private and confidential.