newbie to an intentional connec-
tor. Ms. Hodgkiss was joined by
Ana Maria Martinez, Esq. (Presi-
dent of the Goergia Latino Law
Foundation and staff attorney to
the Honorable Dax Lopez), Ab-
bey Morrow, Esq. (Counsel On
Call), Max Ruthernberg-Marshall,
Esq. (The Ruthenberg-Marshall
Law Firm), and Jessica Wood, Esq.
(Bodker, Ramsey, Andrews, Wino-
grad & Wildstein). This panel was
chockfull of networking nuances
to purposefully connect people to
attain each person’s goals. Some
of the highlights are: (1) Be inten-
tional with networking – there is
not time to go to everything so it is
important to select events at which
you will establish new connections
or improve the connections that
already exist. (2) Help others net-
work by connecting them to each
other. (3) Create measurable goals
for each event – how many people
to speak with, how many cards to
get, how many cards to give out,
etc. and hold yourself accountable
for meeting those goals. (4) Be au-
thentic and network in spaces that
you identify with – for example,
do not attend a golf event if you
despise golf. These speakers can
be reached at:
[email protected]; am-
[email protected]; Abbey.
[email protected];
[email protected] ; and
[email protected].
Attendees next heard from Alvaro
A. Arauz of 3a Law Management
who spoke on the future of law firm
marketing. Mr. Arauz reminded
attendees that clients are looking
for value and we need to articu-
late and express our value to our
clients and potential clients. Each
of us has strengths that should
be highlighted. For example, do
not introduce yourself as an at-
torney. Instead, say what specifi-
cally you do and what your skills
are. Additionally, be the mayor of
your village. Let everyone know
who you help and why you help
them. Mr. Arauz can be reached
at: [email protected]. someone in need, we should not
keep our knowledge to ourselves.
Ms. Babcock can be reached at:
[email protected].
Sarah Babcock, Esq., the Execu-
tive Director of Lawyers for Equal
Justice reiterated to attendees the
importance of pro bono work.
Pro bono work has many bene-
fits including preventing burnout,
developing skills, building con-
fidence and preserving our profes-
sional. As attorney’s we have the
unique ability and power to affect
change in someone who cannot
represent him or herself. Helping
others in this way is a responsibil-
ity we have and not something that
should only be done on occasion.
We have the knowledge to help of the United State Bankruptcy
Court for the Northern District
of Georgia, The Honorable Todd
Markle of Fulton County Supe-
rior Court, The Honorable Chris
Ward of Atlanta Municipal Court
and the Honorable Paige Whitaker
of Fulton County Superior Court
spent more than an hour sharing
information about the courts as
well as their specific courtrooms.
In addition, the judges offered in-
sightful career advice and candid
life lessons.
The last panel of the day was
comprised of five local judges
who provided invaluable insight
into their courts and their court-
rooms as well as their own careers.
The Honorable Anne Elizabeth
Barnes of the Court of Appeals,
the Honorable Lisa Ritchey Craig
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