Domesticating a subpoena is a common hurdle in the state court litigation process. While an action may be generally local -- with counsel and parties all situated within the court's jurisdiction -- that does not by any means guarantee that every person or entity relevant to discovery will also be local. And, of course, lawsuits are filed all the time in one jurisdiction against a defendant residing in another jurisdiction, pursuant to state long-arm statutes. A state's subpoena powers do not extend beyond the state's borders, so counsel must domesticate a subpoena to reach any relevant third parties residing outside of the state.

The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association is pleased to announce that Governor Nathan Deal has been named the recipient of the 2015 Champion of Justice Award. This award, which is given at the direction of the GTLA President, recognizes an individual's tireless and often historic work to advance the cause of justice in Georgia. "On behalf of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association's 2,000 members across the state, I'd like to congratulate Governor Nathan Deal on his receipt of this well-deserved honor," remarked GTLA President Darren Penn. "Since taking office in 2011, Governor Deal has exhibited a unique understanding of the vital role that the justice system plays in our society. As a lawyer, a former judge and a proud father of a judge, he brings a perspective to the Governor's Office that has guided him through many tough decisions affecting our state's legal system."

The GTLA Women's Trial Lawyer Caucus closed out another great year of fellowship with the Annual Women's Caucus Holiday Reception on Thursday, Dec. 10 at the St. Regis in Buckhead. More than 50 women -- including GTLA Executive Committee members, judges and legislators -- enjoyed an evening of cocktails and camaraderie as they toasted to the exciting plans that our Women's Caucus has for the year ahead! Stay tuned to find out how you can get involved with the GTLA Women's Trial Lawyer Caucus in 2016.

The 2015-16 GTLA LEAD Class came together last Thursday, Dec. 10, for Session 2: 'A Day with the Judiciary.' The Session, which was held at the Judicial Building in Atlanta, gave LEAD Class members the opportunity to hear from Supreme Court Justice David Nahmias, as well as Court of Appeals Judges John Ellington, Chris McFadden and Herb Phipps.

In addition, two LEADers were sworn in to the Court of Appeals and three others were sworn in to the Supreme Court. It was an afternoon to remember for the members of our LEAD Class, who are off to another great start with this year's program!

 

LEAD Class members Chad Mance, Andy Conn and Sachi Cole
are sworn in to the Supreme Court by Justice David Nahmias.

 LEAD Class members Chad Mance and Gino Brogdon with
Court of Appeals Judges Chris McFadden, John Ellington & Herb Phipps.

Please save the date to join GTLA on Wednesday, Feb. 17 for the 2016 Essential Torts Workshop! We are excited to be returning once-again to the beautiful Brickyard Golf Club in Macon. Offering 6 CLE Credit Hours -- including 1 Ethics and 1 Professionalism -- a full day of presentations from top-notch legal experts, and the Essential Torts Happy Hour afterwards, this year's Workshop is one that you won't want to miss. Register today!

Dec. 11, 2015 -- Members of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association showed Friday that they may not be the left-leaning Democratic group they're perceived to be, sitting down to lunch at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead with Republican Gov. Nathan Deal and honoring him with their Champion of Justice Award. The governor's criminal justice reform efforts dominated both his speech and that of GTLA President Darren Penn, of Harris Penn Lowry, as he introduced Deal. "He's a governor who's open to conversations with trial lawyers," Penn said afterward, explaining why Deal was his pick for the GTLA president's choice award. "He understands what it's like to be a trial lawyer."