Bench & Bar

• Publication year: 2011
• Pages: 0038
• Citation: Vol. 16 No. 5 Pg. 0038

Bench & Bar No. Vol. 16 No. 5 Pg. 38 Georgia Bar Journal February, 2011

Kudos

ORT America honored Joel A. Katz with the organization's Commitment to Education Award. As chair of the global entertainment & media practice of Greenberg Traurig LLP, Katz represents some of the world's best-known entertainers, music producers, record companies, concert promoters and Fortune 500 companies. Katz also serves as general counsel for The Recording Academy, special counsel to the Country Music Association and general counsel/board member for Farm Aid Inc.

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP announced that partner Rupert Barkoff received the Lew Rudnick Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Bar Association's Forum on Franchising at the Association's annual conference. The award is given for lifetime contribution to the field of franchise law and to the Forum.

Partner Michael Tyler was inducted into the 2010 Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame in November at Gate City's annual gala. Established in 1948, the Gate City Bar Association is the oldest African-American bar association in Georgia. The Hall of Fame is the Gate City Bar's highest award.

W. Randy Eaddy, a senior partner in the firm's corporate department, was inducted into Furman University's Political Science Hall of Fame for his achievements and many significant contributions to Furman University's Political Science Department.

Michael Scott Carlson, DeKalb County deputy chief assistant district attorney, was selected to become a master in the Joseph Henry Lumpkin American Inn of Court associated with the University of Georgia School of Law. Masters are judges and lawyers of great experience who are recognized as being among the ablest in the profession and who themselves exhibit the excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility and legal skills that the Inn seeks to foster.

State Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) was honored with a 2010 Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Legislative Service Award. ACCG presents the awards to recognize lawmakers who have demonstrated distinguished leadership and interest in working with county governments for the benefit of Georgia's citizens. Presented annually, the award has gained recognition among elected and appointed officials as a prestigious way to acknowledge Georgia law-makers for exemplary leadership.

Caryl Greenberg Smith, a partner in the public finance practice at Hunton & Williams LLP, was elected a fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel. The college was created in 1995 to recognize lawyers distinguished for their skill experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of bond law, who will contribute substantially to the accomplishments, achievements and good fellowship of the college and to the best interests of the bar and the general public through the fulfillment of college objectives.

Michael H. Smith, of the Law Office of Smith Barid, LLC, joined the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. (NAELA). Established in 1987, the NAELA is a nonprofit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations and others. Membership in the academy is open to licensed attorneys who are practicing in the area of elder law or who are interested in legal issues pertaining to the elderly.

Baker Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, announced that share-holder Linda A. Klein was inducted into the Order of the Coif. The Order of the Coif is an honorary scholastic society, the purpose of which is to encourage excellence in legal education by fostering a spirit of careful study, recognizing those who as law students attained a high grade of scholarship, and honoring those who as lawyers, judges and teachers attained high distinction for their scholarly or professional accomplishments.

Hon. Velma Tilley, Bartow County Juvenile Court, received the 2010 Big Voice for Children Award from Voices for Georgia's Children. Tilley was one of six Georgians honored for her compassionate leadership ensuring children and caregivers in Northwest Georgia have access to timely and appropriate interventions and support that help children function normally in their families and communities. Her leadership extends throughout the state including her active involvement with the pending Proposed Model Juvenile Code.

John E. Hall Jr. of Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C., in Atlanta, was elected chair of USLaw Network. The network is an international organization made up of 64 independent member firms covering 48 states and Latin America with more than 4,000 attorneys.

Hull Barrett, PC, announced that member James S. V. Weston was elected to serve as vice chair of the Professional Liability Committee for the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (GDLA). GDLA was founded more than 40 years ago by a group of civil defense attorneys who wanted to create a forum for networking outside of the office, courtroom and arbitration table.

Thomas M. Cole, partner, Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker, LLP, was inducted as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the college is extended by invitation only to trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.

John Yates, chair of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLPs, technology practice, was selected to chair the Development Committee for the Duke Law School Board of Visitors. In this role, he will help the law school's dean and associate dean craft fundraising strategies and provide leadership for ongoing development efforts. Yates was named to the law school's Board of Visitors last year.

Morgan Adams announced that his book chapter "Trucking Accident Litigation" was published by West Publishing, the nation's largest legal publisher. The chapter is available in the multi-volume set Handling Motor Vehicle Accident Cases, 2d.

FHLBank Atlanta announced that member institutions elected Henry Gary Pannell, special counsel with Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere and Denegre, LLP, to a one-year term as an independent director. FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively priced financing, community development grants and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic...