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FEATURE
We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2014-2015 GTLA LEAD Program! Following last year's extremely successful inaugural LEAD Class, we are currently searching for the next round of rising stars within our Association. If you think you've got what it takes -- or you know a young attorney who does -- we encourage you to apply to be a part of this cutting-edge leadership training program. In order to apply for the 2014-2015 LEAD Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Applications can be found online at: www.gtla.org/2014LEAD. Please note that the application deadline is Friday, Aug. 1! If you have any questions during the application period, please contact LEAD Program Co-Chairs Ryals Stone or Jenn Coalson. We look forward to working alongside the next generation of GTLA leaders!  The 2013-2014 GTLA LEAD Class with Governor Nathan Deal. COMMUNICATIONS
The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association is partnering with KidsAndCars.org to save children’s lives across the country. Together, GTLA, KidsAndCars.org, and numerous other safety advocates and organizations are petitioning the White House to authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to invest in the research and development of potentially life-saving technology that would help prevent heat-induced deaths of children in vehicles by detecting a child left alone in the rear seat of a vehicle. The petition, hosted on the White House’s ‘We the People’ website, will need to obtain 100,000 signatures by Aug. 12 in order to be considered by the Administration. The petition can be found at: http://wh.gov/lL8nX.
"Each summer, we experience the heartbreaking news of dozens of senseless and unnecessary deaths of children inside of hot cars," remarked GTLA President Linley Jones. "In response to these tragedies, we are asking the Obama Administration, DOT and lawmakers to join us in working together with automakers to develop proactive solutions."
According to recent statistics from KidsAndCars.org, an average of 38 children die each year from heat stroke as a result of being inside of a vehicle – including at least 17 already in 2014. Research has shown that a parked car can reach 125 degrees in minutes, and children are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke, as their body temperatures rise three to five times faster than an adult’s.
"The technology to detect and protect children in hot cars is relatively simple. What does not exist currently, though, is the necessary level of public demand that has been seen in the past to encourage automakers to add seatbelts and airbags to cars, as well as child safety locks, power window switches and rearview cameras to keep us all safer in and around vehicles. It is our sincere hope that, through this petition, the collective voices of the American people will once again inspire change for the better in our automobiles," Jones concluded.
"The auto industry already recognizes that we're human and our memories often fail us. You get a warning if you don't buckle your seatbelt, leave a car door open, your gas is low or when you leave your headlights on," explains Janette Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org, the leading national nonprofit group dedicated solely to preventing injuries and deaths of children in and around motor vehicles. "If you forget your keys in the ignition, you get a warning. If a child is left behind, you absolutely need a warning. The federal government and automakers have the ability to solve this problem, and we need action now."
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About the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association: Founded in 1956, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA) is dedicated to strengthening and upholding Georgia’s Civil Justice System and protecting Georgia citizens’ Constitutional Right to Trial by Jury.
About KidsAndCars.org: Founded in 1996, KidsAndCars.org is the only and leading national nonprofit child safety organization dedicated solely to preventing injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles. KidAndCars.org promotes awareness among parents, caregivers and the general public about the dangers to children, including backover and frontover incidents, and heat stroke from being inadvertently left in a vehicle. The organization works to prevent tragedies through data collection, education and public awareness, policy change, product redesign and survivor advocacy.
WOMEN'S TRIAL LAWYER CAUCUS
If you are attending the Auto Torts Workshop this week in Amelia Island, we hope that you will consider joining us for the Women's Caucus Breakfast on Friday morning! It's a great opportunity to enjoy the company of your fellow women trial lawyers as we gear up for another exciting day of sun, fun and top-notch legal education. Additional details are as follows:
Women's Caucus Auto Torts Breakfast
Friday, July 18 at 8 a.m. Omni Amelia Island Plantation Magnolia G Ballroom Please contact GTLA Women's Caucus Chair Mia Frieder at miafrieder@hilleylaw.com with any questions or to RSVP! GRASSROOTS REPORT
In an effort to broaden our Association's geographic and diverse reach in the legal community, we have begun hosting a monthly social mixer with other members of the Atlanta Bar Association's Multi-Bar Leadership Council. This month, we partnered with the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and we were honored to share an evening of laughs, fellowship and fun with fellow members of the Bar. Many thanks to the wonderful women of GABWA (and their president, GTLA member Tracee Benzo) for joining us!
And, keep an eye out for next month's mixer with the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association!  Jenn Coalson, Aleta McLaurin & Tom Tidwell  Michael Geoffroy, Tracee Benzo & Mike Prieto UPDATE FROM AAJ
You are invited to attend AAJ's 2014 Annual Convention in Baltimore, MD on July 26-29. Register at www.justiceannualconvention.org, and you will get access to 45 CLE's, 300 events and 3,000 attendees. And to top it all off, don't miss out on the opening party at Camden Yards and incoming AAJ President Lisa Blue's closing reception featuring Huey Lewis and the News!
Not a member of the American Association for Justice? JOIN AAJ for FREE if you have been licensed for practice law for less than one year! For other membership specials, please contact AAJ Regional Membership manager, Ginger Jirik at 202-450-7361 or at ginger.jirik@justice.org.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
UPCOMING GTLA EVENTS
Please save the dates to join GTLA for some exciting upcoming workshops and seminars around the state! Here's a few that we have on the horizon:
2014 Paralegal & Legal Assistant Workshop
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. State Bar of Georgia - Atlanta RSVP HERE 2014 GTLA Political Summit Wednesday, Oct. 22 State Bar of Georgia - Atlanta Additional details to follow 2014 Holiday Workshop Friday, Dec. 12 St. Regis Hotel - Buckhead RSVP HERE 2015 Ski-LE Workshop Wednesday, March 11 - Sunday, March 15 Westin Snowmass Resort - Snowmass Village, Colorado RSVP HERE 2015 Annual Convention & President's Gala
Thursday, April 30 - Friday, May 1
The Ritz-Carlton - Buckhead
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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 |
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