PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
All during March, we have been in the midst of our own
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) signature program, Pro
Bono March Madness, where you can earn CLE credit for
learning how to help a variety of pro bono organizations.
For example, you can learn how to write a simple will, write
contracts for non-profits or help victims of domestic violence.
The $75 CLE coupon for members can be used for March
Madness or any other Atlanta Bar CLE program. Many new
members join during this time to take advantage of our 15
months for the cost of 12 months and use the coupon for a
March Madness program. The special membership rate
continues through May; for example, in April you can pay for
14 months for the cost of 12 months. Encourage your nonmember friends to join!
The Annual Meeting will be held on May 19 at the Piedmont
Driving Club. President- Elect, Harold Franklin, other officers
and board members of the “Big Bar,” Foundation, LRIS, CLE
and Sections will be sworn in. Come hear Harold; he’s a good
speaker! This is also the time when various awards are given
to members, Sections and firms. These awards include the
Charles Watkins Award, Distinguished Service Award and
Professionalism Awards. We will be asking for your input for
nominations. And before you run out of town for the long
Memorial Day weekend, volunteer to be an attorney teacher
at Therrell High School May 21. The Magna Carta, which is
celebrating its 800 year anniversary, is the subject chosen by
the American Bar Association for this year’s teaching program.
We have very good materials produced by the ABA to guide
you. There will be a training session to prepare you for this
special experience.
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association
And finally, a not to be missed Bar-wide event is the Atlanta
Bar Foundation’s LawJam2015. Another Battle of the Lawyer
Bands will take place on June 27 at the Variety Playhouse, and
admittance is only $10. Your participation supports the good
work of Atlanta Bar programs and pro bono organizations that
provide vital community services to those in need.
The majority of the Atlanta Bar Association activities are
Section activities. Look over the Atlanta Bar legal calendar on
our website to see what you might be interested in attending.
Some of these events are so compelling that you might want
to go to them even if you are not a member of that Section.
The Tax Law Section has a Joint Luncheon with the Georgia
Society of CPAs on April 21 for a tax law update. On April
27 the Criminal Law and the Litigation Sections will join
together at the State Bar to present a panel of renowned
litigators who have represented unpopular clients; there will
also be an Atticus Finch summation from To Kill a Mockingbird.
The Women in the Profession Section members gather for
a Social at Hop City Bar on April 29. The Judicial Section
will join with the Litigation and the Atlanta Council of
Younger Lawyers Sections for a Luncheon and Awards
Presentation on April 3