Bench & Bar

• Citation: Vol. 30 No. 4 Pg. 0054
• Year: 2025
• Pages: 0054

Bench & Bar Vol. 30 No. 4 Pg. 54 Georgia Bar Journal May 2025

TO PLACE AN ANNOUNCEMENT

Contact Jada Pettus ljadap@gabar.org | 404-527-8736

Kudos

Mark C. Fava, vice president in the Chief Aerospace Safety Organization of The Boeing Company in Charleston, South Carolina, announced that his first book "Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders," was published by Amplify Publishing Group in January.

Sean Ekhlas was elected to a two-year term as an honored member of the Arbitration Award Scrutiny Tribunal of the Arbitration Center of Iran Chamber (ACIC), where he served with distinction. Ekhlas is an active member of both the State Bar of Georgia and the D.C. Bar. As an arbitrator and counsel, he has participated in numerous national and international commercial disputes.

Rebecca Miller, of counsel at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C., earned the certified elder law attorney (CELA) designation from the National Elder Law Foundation. To obtain certification as a CELA, an attorney must undergo a comprehensive screening process that includes demon strating a high level of experience and substantial involvement in the practice of elder law, handling at least 60 elder law cases in the three years prior to applying, obtaining peer references from five elder law attorneys, completing continuing legal education requirements and passing a rigorous six-hour written exam.

Ford Harrison LLP announced that Kadale Lubin was selected as the firm's Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) pathfinder for 2025, a seven-month professional program designed to train high-performing, early-career attorneys on foundational leadership and relationship-building. Pathfinders are selected by leaders at LCLD member corporations and law firms.

The Supreme Court of Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution announced the addition of two appointees: Hon. Jack Partain, senior judge, Superior Court, Conasauga Judicial Circuit, and Hon. Quinn Kasper, judge, Cobb County Magistrate Court. The 19-member Commission is comprised of representatives of all appellate and trial courts, a representative from both the General Assembly and the State Bar of Georgia, approved trainers and registered neutrals, a court ADR program director and other professionals with an interest in dispute resolution.

Furman University presented J. Chris Brown with the Gordon L. Blackwell Alumni Service Award. The award recognizes an individual who has dedicated extraordinary service to the university or the greater community. Brown is an attorney at Blair, Cato, Pickren, & Casterline in upstate South Carolina.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that associate Dmitry Epstein earned the artificial intelligence governance professional (AIGP) credential through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). The AIGP credential demonstrates that an individual can ensure safety and trust in the development and deployment of ethical AI and ongoing management of AI systems. The AIGP designation is issued through the IAPP, a not-for-profit association founded in 2000 with a mission to define, promote and improve the professions of privacy, AI governance and digital responsibility globally.

Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn &Dial, LLC, announced that partner Brannon Arnold was elected unanimously to serve on the firm's three-member Executive Committee.

On the Move

IN ATLANTA

BRADFORD GRIER

SHEPPARD

Eversheds Sutherland announced the addition of Cassandra S. Bradford, Samuel H. Grier and Hale E. Sheppard as partners. Bradford focuses her practice on domestic tax controversies for individuals and entities, with extensive experience in audits, appeals and tax court litigation. Grier's practice focuses on audit examinations, administrative appeals and trials providing strategic solutions to complex tax issues. Sheppard focuses his practice on tax and litigation matters with a robust practice in tax controversies. The firm is located at 999 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30309; 404-853-8000; www.eversheds-sutherland.com.

PAIGE VUCHINICH

WITTENSTEIN

Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn &Dial, LLC, announced the elevation of Jason Vuchinich to full equity partnership and the promotion of Marriah Paige and Adam Wittenstein to equity members. Paige focuses her practice on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including products liability, premises liability, medical malpractice and personal injury matters. Vuchinich focuses his civil litigation practice on catastrophic injury cases, often involving premises liability, transportation and product liability. Wittenstein's practice focuses on construction law, premises liability, wrongful death and high-exposure tort cases. The firm is located at 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 2400, Atlanta, GA 30326; 404-876-2700; Fax 404-875-9433; www.wwhgd.com.

THOMPSON YANG

Burr & Forman LLP announced the addition of Linda Yang as partner and Emory Thompson as associate. Thompson focuses his practice on...