MGTLA Hosts Stellar Speakers, Builds Strong Communities

The Heart of Georgia is alive and well with trial lawyers! Macon Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (MGTLA) has enjoyed an exciting and productive 2011 through its meetings and community outreach. The first Wednesday of each month marks the regular meeting time for MGTLA, and we have a membership of over 50 strong, with average attendance of just over 20 at each meeting. 

Our speaker list for this year has been amazing. We’ve been honored to have Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Dillard, one of Macon’s own, to speak to a large lunch crowd. Recently, Georgia Representatives Allen Peake and James Beverly, and Senator Miriam Paris spoke at a meeting about a variety of concerns and ideas related to trial lawyers and government. GTLA President Geoff Pope imparted his words of wisdom upon our group during our August meeting. Case Metrix and Findlaw have served as sponsors for some of our meetings, and we certainly appreciate them reaching out to make the meetings a success. The November 2011 meeting will feature U.S. District Court Judge Marc Treadwell as the guest speaker. 

MGTLA hasn’t just limited its 2011 successes to speakers and luncheons. The group recently voted to donate $2,000 to the Leadership Macon 2011 Class Project for a playground in a blighted neighborhood in Macon. 

The donation was part of a $50,000 capital fundraising project for the new Southside Community Center Playground in Lynmore Estates, Macon. Some of the members helped with the actual construction of the project that will provide numerous children the opportunity to play and congregate in a place where it was badly needed. 

This December, we will host a Judge’s luncheon for all of the area Judges we practice before. The lunch has, in past years, been a remarkable opportunity to network with our friends in the robes, some of whom are former members of MGTLA and GTLA. 

For more information on our meeting times and locations, please e-mail Jason E. Downey at JasonEDowneyLaw@Cox.net or call at 478-743-4771. We always welcome out of town guests with just a short notice so we can make sure the table is set for you.