IN THE KNOW
THE GTLA NEWSLETTER
February 2014
FEATURE
Does the thought of hitting the slopes with your family and fellow GTLA colleagues in Steamboat Springs appeal to you? If so, then Ski-LE is the seminar for you! This intimate seminar is great for forming new bonds of friendship and enjoying a relaxed vacation while earning CLE. For more information, please click here or contact Brittany Gurley at bgurley@gtla.org or (404) 522-8487 x 24.
Click here to view the full 2014 Ski-LE Program Agenda.
Click here to view the full 2014 Ski-LE Program Agenda.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
For the third session of the 2013-2014 LEAD Program, our class joined GTLA's Legislative Team at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 18 to serve as our 'Lawyers of the Day.' The class began the day by hearing from House Speaker David Ralston, who gave them advice on legislative advocacy and told of his own path from the courtroom to the Capitol. The class then went to the Governor's office, where they had the opportunity to take a group picture with Nathan Deal.
After hearing from other guest speakers – including State Senator Charlie Bethel – the LEAD class joined GTLA in the House Judiciary (Civil) Committee for a hearing. They were fortunate to get an up close and personal view of the legislative process and gained a first-hand understanding of what our Legislative Team is working on under the Gold Dome.
The 2013-2014 LEAD Program Class & Session Co-Chairs
After hearing from other guest speakers – including State Senator Charlie Bethel – the LEAD class joined GTLA in the House Judiciary (Civil) Committee for a hearing. They were fortunate to get an up close and personal view of the legislative process and gained a first-hand understanding of what our Legislative Team is working on under the Gold Dome.
The 2013-2014 LEAD Program Class & Session Co-Chairs
COMMUNICATIONS
For the first time, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association is pleased to offer the 7th Amendment Scholarship Essay Competition to college-bound high school seniors who exhibit a keen awareness of the societal and judicial value of the Constitutional Right to Trial by Jury and Georgia’s Civil Justice System.
In 750-1,500 words, applicants will be asked to address the following question:
GTLA will be selecting a $1,000 Grand Prize Winner and $500 Runner Up, and the recipients will be recognized at GTLA's Annual Convention in Atlanta on April 24-25.
For more information and to access the 7th Amendment Scholarship Essay Competition Application, please visit www.gtla.org/scholarship.
In 750-1,500 words, applicants will be asked to address the following question:
Since the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791, the 7th Amendment Right to Trial by Jury has been the cornerstone of the Civil Justice System. And yet, in the two-plus centuries since, the Right to Trial by Jury has been under near-constant assault. In your opinion, what role does the 7th Amendment play in the 21st Century, and why do you believe that it is important to safeguard this Right?
For more information and to access the 7th Amendment Scholarship Essay Competition Application, please visit www.gtla.org/scholarship.
NEW LAWYERS DIVISION
GTLA's New Lawyers Division came together for a good cause on Thursday, Feb. 6 at Ri Ra Irish Pub in Atlanta. As a part of our bi-monthly Happy Hour, the NLD collected funds for Georgia-based Raksha – a nonprofit organization with the mission to promote a stronger and healthier South Asian community through confidential support services, education, and advocacy. It was a great event, and we are looking forward to seeing all of you at our next one!
For more information on how you can get involved with our New Lawyers Division, please contact NLD Chair Betty Nguyen Davis at betty@bettydavislaw.com.
CIVIL JUSTICE PAC
The 2014 elections are quickly approaching. With Georgia’s primary election moving up from July to May and the Georgia Legislature projected to adjourn on March 20, your early contribution to the PAC is critical. Just this Session, your Legislative Team has been fighting bills that would: end medical malpractice lawsuits; severely restrict the scope of discovery in all cases and harshly limit spoliation sanctions; make prejudicial information regarding a plaintiff’s failure to wear a seatbelt admissible in all car wreck cases; immunize the negligent manufacturers of certain dangerous products; and immunize various property owners from liability. It is no secret that the folks on the other side of our issues are as well-funded, organized and determined as we have ever seen them. With your support, we will be too!
We have a new and improved PAC effort underway this year, and one of our main objectives is to standardize and streamline the membership renewal process. Our goal is to have all memberships activate (and renew) in March of each year. Please click here and make your contribution today!
