IN THE KNOW
THE GTLA NEWSLETTER
September 2014
FEATURE
Last Call!
Don't miss your chance to to learn first-hand from the masters of deposition techniques as they discuss in-depth, cutting-edge approaches to perfecting depositions and witness preparation skills. This workshop will offer 3.5 CLE Credit Hours and is hosted by GTLA's New Lawyers Division. Check out the all-star lineup of speakers HERE! Additional details are as follows:
Spots are going fast, so be sure to REGISTER TODAY or contact Brittany Gurley at bgurley@gtla.org.
#depositions: From Good to Great to Winning!
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown - Oceanic Ballroom
275 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown - Oceanic Ballroom
275 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Spots are going fast, so be sure to REGISTER TODAY or contact Brittany Gurley at bgurley@gtla.org.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
The 2014 General Election and the 2015 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly are just around the corner, and you're invited to join GTLA's top-notch legislative and political team for an afternoon of advocacy training, can't-miss speakers and unparalleled insight from some of our state's best political, legislative and media minds.
The 2014 Political & Legislative Summit will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the State Bar of Georgia. This is a MEMBERS-ONLY event. REGISTER HERE.
Program Agenda:
11:30 a.m. Check In & Lunch
Noon 2014 Legislative Recap & 2015 Legislative Preview
Bill Clark, GTLA Political Director
12:30 p.m. Civil Justice PAC: Where Your Contributions are Going
Caroline McLean, Civil Justice PAC Executive Director
1 p.m. Working with the Media in the 21st Century: A Panel Discussion
Kathleen Baydala Joyner, Daily Report
Lori Geary, WSB-TV
Aaron Gould-Sheinin, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Randy Travis, Fox5 I-Team
2 p.m. A Word from our Legislators: A Legislative Panel Discussion and Q&A
Representative Rich Golick (R - Smyrna)
Representative Stacey Evans (D - Smyrna)
Senator Charlie Bethel (R - Dalton)
Senator Lester Jackson (D - Savannah)
3 p.m. Breakout Sessions: 4 Hot Topics for 2015 (4 Sessions of 15 min. each)
Moderated by: GTLA Team Members Bill Clark, Jim Collins, Jamie Lord
and Wendi Clifton
and Wendi Clifton
4 p.m. 2014 Elections: What the Numbers are Telling Us
Mark Rountree, Landmark Communications
Chris Huttman, 20/20 Insight, LLC
5:30- 7:30 p.m. Civil Justice PAC Reception – SkyLounge at the Glenn Hotel
COMMUNICATIONS
Note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in the Columbia County News-Times on Wednesday, Sept. 10 and was submitted by GTLA Members Sam Nicholson and Harry Revell.
Dear editor,
In the ongoing debate over skyrocketing healthcare costs in Georgia, proponents of medical malpractice reform continue to point to the practice of so-called "defensive medicine" as the culprit behind the increase in costs across the healthcare system ("Georgia can lead in savings with plan to eliminate medical malpractice" – Sept. 3). Doctors, they contend, regularly perform expensive and unnecessary medical tests in order to avoid malpractice suits related to their treatment – or lack thereof.
In and of itself, however, their argument is fundamentally flawed. The fact of the matter is that the practice of so-called defensive medicine is fabricated by deep-pocketed special interests that perpetuate the myth in hopes of financial gain and the advancement of a dangerous legislative agenda. And while defensive medicine is the talking point du jour of those whose sole interest is to shield healthcare providers from accountability, the facts continue to belie their assertions.
Dear editor,
In the ongoing debate over skyrocketing healthcare costs in Georgia, proponents of medical malpractice reform continue to point to the practice of so-called "defensive medicine" as the culprit behind the increase in costs across the healthcare system ("Georgia can lead in savings with plan to eliminate medical malpractice" – Sept. 3). Doctors, they contend, regularly perform expensive and unnecessary medical tests in order to avoid malpractice suits related to their treatment – or lack thereof.
In and of itself, however, their argument is fundamentally flawed. The fact of the matter is that the practice of so-called defensive medicine is fabricated by deep-pocketed special interests that perpetuate the myth in hopes of financial gain and the advancement of a dangerous legislative agenda. And while defensive medicine is the talking point du jour of those whose sole interest is to shield healthcare providers from accountability, the facts continue to belie their assertions.
Visit http://newstimes.augusta.com/opinion/2014-09-10/defensive-medicine-is-a-bad-dose-of-fiction to view the full article online.
NEW LAWYERS DIVISION
The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association is pleased to announce that selections have been made for the 2014-2015 Leadership Education & Advanced Direction (LEAD) Program. First launched in 2013 to identify those with leadership potential from among the Association's younger lawyers, the LEAD Program trains and equips those members to serve in future leadership roles in GTLA, at their firms, and in their legal and local communities. In order to qualify, applicants must have less than 10 years of practice experience or be 35 years of age or younger.
After an application, review and selection process that is summer-long, 17 attorneys were chosen to participate in the 2014-2015 GTLA LEAD Program.
Click the link below to meet the 2014-2025 LEAD Class!
After an application, review and selection process that is summer-long, 17 attorneys were chosen to participate in the 2014-2015 GTLA LEAD Program.
Click the link below to meet the 2014-2025 LEAD Class!
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/gtl-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=283960&issueID=36371 to view the full article online.
GRASSROOTS REPORT
When Linley Jones was elected President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association in April, she made a commitment to visit GTLA members in every corner of the state in order to find out how our Association can better serve the needs of each of our 2,000 members. And, in keeping with that commitment, Linley has racked up the miles on her car. Already this year, she has visited GTLA members from Brunswick to Valdosta, Covington to Cordele and many places in between.
If you'd like to schedule Linley to speak to your local TLA, Bar Association or other group of current and prospective GTLA members, please reach out to GTLA Grassroots Director Micah Gravley at mgravley@gtla.org.
GTLA President Linley Jones and
Clayton County Chief Magistrate Judge Wanda L. Dallas.
GTLA President Linley Jones with
South Georgia TLA Co-Chairmen Jed Douglas & Pope Langdale.
GTLA President Linley Jones, GTLA Staff & Wiregrass TLA Members.
CIVIL JUSTICE PAC
.jpg){kind=logo}
The 2014 General Elections are now less than two months away, and the Civil Justice PAC is hard at work identifying and supporting candidates who exhibit a true understanding of the enormous value of the civil justice system and the right to trial by jury. By election day, the PAC will have contributed more than $550,000 to pro-Civil Justice candidates across the state and on both sides of the aisle. We need your help to cross the finish line, though!
If you haven't already given to the PAC, it's not too late to join us in our efforts and ensure that we are able to meet our goals. Click HERE to make a contribution online, or contact Civil Justice PAC Executive Director Caroline McLean at mcarolinemclean@gmail.com or 770-314-4257.
UPDATE FROM AAJ
GTLA member M. Brandon Smith was recently elected as Chairman of the New Lawyers Division for the American Association for Justice, As only the second Georgia attorney to ever hold this position, Brandon would like to encourage other GTLA members to take advantage of this opportunity to get involved in AAJ’s New Lawyers Division.
With more than 4,200 active members, the AAJ NLD works to promote justice all over the country via networking events, phone drives, charitable programs, stellar education seminars and fundraising events for pro-civil justice candidates. Thus, it is a great compliment to those already in the GTLA NLD.
For more information, please contact Brandon Smith at his office of Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC via phone: 404-419-9500 or via email: bsmith@cssfirm.com to learn how you can get more involved.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Kimberly W. Aiken, Shonda Ball, Timothy Blair, Roodgine Bray, Denice E. Brue- Clopton, Taylor Butenschon, LeRoya R. Chester Jennings, William M. Cheves, Whitney Chupp, Andrew J. Conn, Denise M. Cooper, Jennifer Cornelius, Claude C. Davis, II, Michael Day, Jeffrey W. DeLoach, Judith Delus, Emanuel David Dressie, Belinda E. Edwards, Kevin Edward Epps, Enrique Fernandez, Susan Fitzgerald, Melody Allen Glouton, Kerri-Ann Griggs, Sheronn Harris, Shonda Hicks, Yolanda Johnson, Rebecca W. McLaws, Sarah Metz, Cesar Orantes, Julia PettyJohn, Scott Pfahl, Charlotte J. Redo, Kelsie Royal, Anthony Stastny, Minerva Steele, Adam Thornton, Nicholas Utley, Robert P. Varner, Tegra N. Watkins, Shoran R. Williams, Shevonn Willis, Norman Staples Wood.
