Archive | Printer-Friendly | Send to a Friend | www.gtla.org | Advertise June 2013
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Fellow GTLA Members,

Since beginning my one-year term as President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association at our Annual Convention in May, I have had the opportunity to meet with many of our organization’s members, leaders, allies and staff. These meetings have left me with an unmatched sense of optimism, and as we chart our course over the next 12 months, I can’t help but be encouraged by the direction in which GTLA is moving.

Many of you have reached out to express an interest in becoming more involved with our Association, and there are a number of important ways in which you can play an integral role in our future successes.

First, I would like to encourage each of you to get involved with a GTLA committee. In addition to the many successful committees that we have had for many years, we have further added two new ones this year: the Leadership Academy Committee and the Listserv Committee. When combined with our other committees, including Amicus Curiae, Communications, Community Outreach, Constitutional Challenge, Education, Legislative, Membership, Membership Eligibility, New Lawyers Division, Public Relations and Verdict Editorial Board, there is sure to be an opportunity to get involved for each and every GTLA member. Click here to view the current list of GTLA Committee Chairmen, and don’t hesitate to reach out to them!

Another way for our members to get involved – and one that may sound familiar to many of you – is to take advantage of the current legislative "off season" and create or grow your relationship with your respective State Representative and Senator. As attorneys, you are in a unique position to become an asset to your legislators, and whether you are assisting with the crafting of a bill, raising money for their reelection or simply offering a listening ear as a constituent, your efforts will foster a mutually-beneficial relationship that will last long into the future. Feel free to get in touch with our legislative team, and remember that your actions could very well be the difference-maker for GTLA at the Capitol.

The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association is made up of over 2,000 attorneys practicing in every corner of our state, and this year we will be emphasizing the growth of our organization across all of our state’s 159 counties, not just in Atlanta, as has been the perception for far-too-long. To that end, I hope that you will become or remain active in your local TLA chapter, or consider starting one if we don’t have an active presence in your area. Between holding monthly meetings, hosting the area’s legislators and coming to the Capitol for our Lawyer of the Day program as a group, our local TLAs have become an invaluable asset to our cause over the past few years. Click here for a list of our current TLA chapters, or contact Grassroots Director Micah Gravley to find out more about how you can become an active member of a local TLA.

Our organization can only be as successful as the efforts that its members are willing to contribute, and I hope that you will join me in advancing GTLA to new and exciting heights. This year is shaping up to be a great one for us – I hope you will join us in our efforts.

Buck Rogers
GTLA President

 
FEATURE
If you are attending this week's Annual Meeting of the State Bar of Georgia in beautiful Hilton Head, S.C., be sure to stop by the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association's Booth to learn more about what GTLA has planned for our members in the coming year! 
 
COMMUNICATIONS
For those of you who joined us last month for the always-entertaining Annual GTLA Gala, we have posted the professional pictures from the event on our Facebook Page!

To check them out - and 'Tag' your friends - please visit: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaTrialLawyersAssociation/photos_stream

Here are a few of our favorites!


Outgoing GTLA President Jay Sadd receives the Lady of Justice from Incoming President Buck Rogers


Matt & Joanne Flournoy with Ryals & Lauren Stone



Mike Prieto with Dawn & Paul Painter

 
GRASSROOTS REPORT
This year, GTLA has created a brand new 'LEAD' Program within its New Lawyers Division for the purpose of educating and grooming some of our state's most promising young trial lawyers for future leadership roles in GTLA ('LEAD': Leadership Education and Advanced Direction).

The 2013-14 LEAD Program will feature five monthly CLE sessions beginning in Athens on Nov. 22-23 (including the UGA vs. Kentucky football game) and concluding with a final session and graduation at the GTLA Annual Convention April 24-25, 2014. The various CLE sessions will be focused on the important topics including but not limited to: fostering leadership within GTLA, building and maintaining strong relationships with the state legislature and judiciary, expanding and involving our local TLA's, improving our community service efforts, membership recruitment, and encouraging fundraising contributions and Directed Giving. The LEAD Program itinerary will also include a "class retreat" session one weekend in March or April at a resort venue in Georgia (exact location TBD).

Applications for the 2013-14 LEAD Program will be available online by July 1 at www.gtla.org. The deadline for submitting an application is Aug. 1. Applicants should submit a color photo and are encouraged to include letters of recommendation (but not required). Firm sponsorship of applicants is encouraged and appreciated.

For more information about this year's LEAD Program or to suggest a candidate, please contact co-chairs Michael Geoffroy (770-483-6557) or Ryals Stone (229-724-8531).

 
Insurance Specialists, Inc
CIVIL JUSTICE PAC
If you would like to become an integral part of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association's efforts to support candidates and elected officials who will uphold our Constitution’s promise of protecting and upholding the Civil Justice System, please consider becoming a supporter of our PAC! The Civil Justice PAC is integral to GTLA's efforts - both at the Capitol and around the state - and we need your help to make 2013 the most successful year yet!

For more information, please visit www.civiljusticepac.com, or contact PAC Consultant Michele Michaels at michele@govethics.org or (404) 492-8878.
 
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Thank You to Our Newest GTLA Champion Members!
Jonathan Brockman, Dewey Hayes, Steven Pickens, Tom Schaefer and Jeffrey Warncke

Welcome New GTLA Members!
Neal Ainsworth, Marvin Arringtion, Jr., David Andrew Bain, Kimberly D. Beard, Ross Warren Bergethon, Jeffrey Berhold, Dylan Bess, Pamela Campbell, Charles B. Carmichael, Christopher Carsten, Pamela Cassagnol, Linda Conley, Buck Daniel, Ronald Edward Daniels, Vida L. DeLeon, Janis Dickman, Camille Dizon, Candace Duvernay, John Ebersbach, Suzanne Fink, Brendan Flanagan, Eric Fredrickson, Jehha Fretz, Allison Fuller, Delia Maria Greene, Robert W. Guy, Jr., Sherene Harati, Benny Harrell, Chace Hawk, Morgan Hayes, Robert Putnam Hoyt, Terrie F. Johnson, Keisha Jones, Andrew J. King, Ryan Langley, Alicia Leffler, Philip Wesley Lorenz, Jonathon Majeske, Kimberly McGowan, Mylee McKinney, Louis L. McLendon, Benjamin Clarke Nash, Rhonda Newton, Jessica Nix, Julie Oliver, John Overocker, Dennis Phillips, Juliana Poliak, Andrea Seliski, Sharon Catherine Sherrod, Renee Smith, William E. Stiles, Jr., William Travis Towe, Mike Webb, Justin Williams, David Zagoria

 
UPCOMING GTLA EVENTS
It's time to trade in your dress shoes for flip-flops as we embark to beautiful Sandestin, Fla. for the 2013 Auto Torts Workshop at the Hilton! This year's event will be held from Thursday, Aug. 1 until Saturday, Aug. 3, and the Auto Torts Workshop will offer 9 CLE Hours, including 3 Trial & 1 Ethics. 

Click here to reserve your spot today!
 
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association is doing some Spring Cleaning, and we are offering a great deal on selected remaining 2011 and 2012 seminar materials! Check out the awesome selection below!

2012 Seminars - $50/each or $175 for all 4
Auto Torts Workshop
Essential Torts Workshop
The Practical Application of Technology
Ski-LE

2011 Seminars - $50/each or $150 for all 5
Consumer Law
Fall Workshop
Getting Your Case Ready for Trial
Holiday Workshop
Ski-LE

If you are interested in ordering your copies, please contact GTLA Membership Director Sheila Thomsen at sthomsen@gtla.org, or (404) 522-8487 x24.

*Please note that this offer does not include the Trial Practice Manual. It can be purchased online HERE. Please login to receive your member discount.

 
Empire Settlement Funding
Regional Medical Group
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.