APRIL EDITION • 2013
Scene at the Bench and Bar Dinner
Members and guests are pictured as they gather for the annual Bench and Bar Dinner and reception in March. This annual event honoring the DeKalb County Judiciary was once again held at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, and it was a huge success. Our keynote speaker was Robin Frazer Clark.
Enjoy these scenes from a memorable evening:
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Thank You, Sponsors of the Bench and Bar Dinner
Thank you to our Bench and Bar sponsors. Without your generosity, we would not be able to host this much-anticipated event.
The Bench and Bar dinner, held in March, is an annual event jointly hosted by the DeKalb Bar Association and the DeKalb Lawyers Association. It is made possible through the generous contributions of lawyers such as these.
Platinum
Bendin Sumrall & Ladner, LLC
Butler Wooten & Fryhofer LLP
Childers Schlueter & Smith, LLC
The Cochran Firm
Fried Rogers Goldberg, LLC
The Orlando Firm, P.C.
Owen Gleaton Egan Jones & Sweeney, LLP
Law Offices Of Steven Salcedo LLC
Welcome to Our Newest Members
Please join us with a warm welcome for these newest members of the DeKalb Bar Association.
Jenny Culler
Stack & Associates, P.C.
Morgan Medders
The Cohen Law Firm, LLC
Ronnie Dixon
Fulton County District Attorney’s Office
Mike Maloof
Maloof & Maloof
Not yet a DeKalb Bar Association member? Time to renew your membership? Visit our website for membership information and how to join or renew securely online here.
Trial Lawyers Section March Meeting Notes
Members of the Trial Lawyers Section turned out in force for the March meeting. The highlight of the occasion was a Q&A session with Judge Janis Gordon. The meeting was hosted 119 N. McDonough St. just south of the DeKalb County Courthouse.
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ictured at right: Hank Barnett, Judge Janis Gordon and TLS President Doug Aholt
For more information . . .
If you are a trial lawyer in DeKalb County we encourage you to visit the Trial Lawyers Section page on the DeKalb Bar website where you will find more information about the group.
FLS March Breakfast Meeting Welcomes Judge Berryl Anderson
The Family Law Section was honored to have Judge Berryl Anderson speak at the March breakfast, held at the DeKalb History Center in the historic Old Courthouse on the square in downtown Decatur.
The FLS meets every first Tuesday of the month for a delicious buffet breakfast and a changing line-up of guest speakers who provide insights and new information about family law.
For more information . . .
If you practice family law in DeKalb County we encourage you to visit the Family Law Section page on the DeKalb Bar website where you will find valuable information regarding each DeKalb County judge’s preferences for a variety of calendaring and procedural issues.
Young Lawyers Division Enjoys March Happy Hour
The DeKalb Bar Association Young Lawyers Division hosted Happy Hour at the new Victory Sandwich Bar at 340 Church St. in downtown Decatur. Attendees enjoyed the great atmosphere, delicious food and beverages.
For more information . . .
If you are an attorney, age forty or younger, who lives or works in DeKalb County we encourage you to visit the Young Lawyers Section page on the DeKalb Bar website where you will find more information about the group.
FLS Survey Shows Strong Support for a Specialized Family Court
By Louis Tesser, Family Law Division Chair
The Family Law Division of the DeKalb County Bar Association was formed in part as a means for lawyers to communicate with the bench. As biased as we are (and no family lawyer feels that every judge gets it right every time), we are in a great position to observe and advise the judges we litigate in front of. To support the discussion, we promulgated a survey of member’s views regarding the bench and how the treatment of family law cases could be improved in DeKalb County. The survey was answered (anonymously) by nearly a third of our members. We received both numerical and narrative responses.
The Practice Corner: Reflections on Trial in a Different Jurisdiction
by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
www.atlantatrial.com
There is nothing like being away from home to make a person appreciate just how great home really is. I have just returned from trying a serious brain injury case in Orange County, California. I was admitted to practice in this particular case as pro hac vice counsel. For reasons I will explain herein, the case continues on despite the fact that I must return home. However, as I return, I have had the chance to reflect on how much I appreciate Georgia jurisprudence.
Raising the Bar: Ten Tips for Public Speaking
by W. Blair Meeks
Communication Strategist
Jackson Spalding
When the switch finally flips, it’s an amazing thing to witness. Change is not always dramatic or speedy in the communication coaching world, but there are those instances when someone makes a sudden leap from bumbling to sublime in public speaking, and those instances are truly amazing. In the few years I’ve been a coach, there have been several major challenges. You may have seen some of the symptoms in speakers you’ve watched: the shaking hands, the trembling voice, the sweating or the rambling and restarts, the lost train of thought, the seemingly pointless droning. Sometimes the fix is a simple change in content, and the epiphany you see when someone makes that connection is one of the reasons I enjoy the work I do so much. It feels really good to help people with a challenge that can seem so daunting. The explosion in the number of communication opportunities in recent years has made public speaking and communicating effectively more important than ever. Communication has always been an essential part of the legal profession, and yet even the best speakers can find room to improve.
GAWL Art Auction Is April 20
This year marks the 20th annual Art Auction and the event is April 20, 7-10 p.m., at Art Space International. The event is historically attended by about 300 local professionals. There are heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and a signature cocktail to enjoy and, of course, live and silent auctions. The live auction consists of works of art and sports memorabilia. The silent auction consists of a variety of items like vacation home rentals, spa gift certificates, sporting event tickets, classes, and photography sessions. For more information about the event and items up for auction, check out the event’s Facebook page.
Blogging? Got Insights to Share? The DeKalb Bar News Has a Place for You!
The DeKalb Bar News is looking for new regular and guest contributors. Our publication runs on a monthly basis with contributions due on the 18th of each month. Please contact Elizabeth Marum (em@torrientemarum.com) for more information.
