Bench & Bar, 0817 GABJ, GSB Vol. 23, No. 1, Pg. 54
Kudos
Samuel Thomas, partner, Farigone & Thomas, LLC, was appointed vice chair of the ABA Family Law Section Alimony Committee for 2017-18. Responsibilities include organizing CLE material on alimony, organizing speakers on the topic from across the country and increasing outreach for the section to members nationwide.
Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Joy Lampley-Fortson to serve as the executive director and administrator of the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity. This state agency has two divisions: the Equal Employment Division and the Fair Housing Division. The mission of the agency is to partner with the federal government and other state agencies to work toward eradicating discrimination across the state of Georgia by enforcing the Georgia Fair Employment Practices Act and the Georgia Fair Housing Act.
Leadership Georgia announced that Lampley-Fortson is the 2017 chair of the Leadership Georgia Board of Trustees. Leadership Georgia is one of the nation's oldest and most successful leadership training programs for young business, civic and community leaders who have the desire and potential to work together to create a better Georgia. The organization's primary purpose is to identify, train and inspire a network of emerging young leaders who have the ability to impact every corner of the state.
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, announced the firm's legal team of Jay Schwartz, partner, and Nicholas Rueter and Emily McConnell, both associates, served as legal counsel to Ironwood Capital Partners, LLC, in the sale of its subsidiary Timbervest, LLC, to Domain Timber Advisors, LLC. The transaction closed in May 2017. Timbervest, LLC, includes the infrastructure and human resources responsible for a timberland portfolio that spans across the United States, as well as environmental restoration projects comprised of mitigation and conservation banks. The acquisition by Domain Timber Advisors, LLC, creates additional investment opportunities for investors and increased potential for customized timberland solutions available to clients.
Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (GDLA) announced the installment of Sarah B. "Sally" Akins, Ellis, Painter, Ratterree & Adams, as president during its 50th Annual Meeting in June. Other officers elected include President-Elect Hall F. McKinley III, Drew Eckl & Farnham; Treasurer David N. Nelson, Chambless, Higdon, Richardson, Katz & Griggs; and Secretary Jeffrey S. Ward, Drew Eckl & Farnham. Past President Morton G. "Salty" Forbes, Forbes Foster & Pool, received the inaugural GDLA Distinguished Service Award; and Martin A. "Marty" Levinson, Hawkins Parnell Thackston & Young, and Garret W. Meader, Drew Eckl & Farnham, received the President's Award for their leadership of the GDLA Amicus Curiae Committee. GDLA is celebrating its golden anniversary of advancing the civil defense bar. It provides training, facilitates communication and offers networking to more than 900 members.
Bell & Brigham announced that Titus T. Nichols, associate, was promoted to the rank of captain in the U.S. Army. Nichols currently serves as a judge advocate general for the Georgia Army National Guard. His unit and position is Trial Defense Counsel for the 1078th Trial Defense Company (TDS). TDS represents soldiers in military disciplinary matters such as rank reduction or discharge from the National Guard. TDS also has the ability to advise their clients of their legal rights and help draft rebuttals for soldiers faced with administrative and punitive adverse actions. The U.S. Army Trial Defense Service was created in order to ensure due process for soldiers with a need for legal representation in trials involving military criminal offenses, during criminal investigations, before judicial punishment and other various adverse administrative actions.
Barry S. Marks, founding shareholder of Marks & Associates, PC, received the Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence in May at the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Legal Forum (ELFA) in Florida. The award was presented in recognition of his contributions to ELFA and the equipment leasing and finance industry. Marks has concentrated his legal practice in the areas of equipment leasing and finance and commercial lending and has been an active member of ELFA for more than 30 years. The Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence is named for ELFA's long-time Secretary and General Counsel Edward A. Groobert, who was active in the legal affairs of the association from the mid-1960s until his retirement in 2010.
Eversheds Sutherland LLP announced that Emerson W. Girardeau III, associate, was selected to take part in the 2018 LEAD Atlanta program for young professionals. This competitive program offers an intensive eight-month training that focuses on personal and professional development. Through broad exposure to the community, LEAD Atlanta aims to equip young leaders early in their careers with the skills and knowledge needed to be effective leaders committed to the common good. Established in 2004 as an initiative of Leadership Atlanta, the program is distinguished by its unique integration of personal, professional and community education.
Bloom Sugarman, LLP, announced that Stephen M. Parham, partner, was appointed to the Planning Commission for the city of Johns Creek. The Planning Commission of Johns Creek reviews zoning cases and serves as a recommending body to the mayor and city council for the purpose of upholding and implementing the vision and objectives as outlined in the comprehensive plan and accompanying regulatory ordinances such as zoning and subdivisions.
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