GTLA Awards Bestowed Upon Winners at Annual Convention

The Guardian of Justice Award
Mr. Tommy Malone, Malone Law 

Thomas "Tommy" Malone is the founder of Malone Law. For more than 40 years, he has litigated cases involving catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death throughout the state of Georgia. He has obtained a multitude of jury verdicts in excess of one million dollars, including a verdict in excess of $49 million for a 23-year-old student who suffered catastrophic traumatic brain injuries as the result of a road wreck involving two commercial truck drivers on a two-lane highway in San Jose, Calif. His record-setting $45-million verdict changed the way managed care providers operate.

Tommy is a recognized pioneer in obtaining just awards for the seriously injured and loved ones of those who lost their lives at the hands of careless physicians, tractor trailer drivers and pilots as well as the manufacturers of dangerous products. Tommy was born and raised in Albany, Ga. He graduated from the University of Georgia and the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.

The Nestlehutt Award for the Courageous Pursuit of Justice
Ms. Velma Veasley
Mr. Mike Neff, The Law Offices of Michael Lawson Neff, P.C.

After her home security company failed to warn her about seven prior alarms that went off in her home and then gave her false and misleading information about the cause of the eighth alarm, Velma Veasley suffered a horrific attack by a home intruder. She successfully withstood both the attack and the trial in which defense counsel subtly sought to blame her. Ms. Veasley showed tremendous courage in agreeing not to settle because she wanted the security company to learn their lesson. She and attorney Mike Neff were successful at the trial level. The case is currently on appeal with the Court of Appeals.

The Outstanding Community Service Award
Mr. Andy Cash, Cash, Krugler & Fredericks LLC

Andy Cash is currently President-Elect of the Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which has achieved the honor of Board of Distinction. He serves on the Executive Committee and formerly headed the Nominating Committee. Andy is co-chairing the 2012 Hope for a Cure Gala and has been actively involved in securing continued funding for the Special Diabetes Program through visits to Georgia congressional offices on Capitol Hill. He also supports Camp Kudzu, which is a summer camp exclusively for children with Type I diabetes. Andy has two sons with Type I diabetes and has shown what being a true advocate for them is about.

W. Fred Orr II Memorial Scholarship Winner
Mr. Andrew (Andy) Weiner, The Weiner Firm LLC

Andy Weiner is not a new lawyer, but he is new to plaintiff’s practice and is also a relative newcomer to Georgia. Andy is an extremely skilled and accomplished attorney. He graduated from Emory University and then attended the University of Chicago Law School. For almost a decade, his practice has included the representation of employers and employees in litigation matters before state and federal courts and agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Andy and his wife relocated to Atlanta a year ago and he spent a brief time working for a local employment defense firm before leaving to launch his own firm. He believes that clients are entitled to competent representation, consistent and informed communication and access to our courts. His experience and expertise will make him a tremendous asset to the plaintiffs’ bar and to GTLA.

Georgial Trial Lawyers Association