IN THE PROFESSION
the Board makeup , we took a leap forward tomore mirror the community , lawyers and leaders . We intentionally added representatives of constituent groups , not only Asian , but African American , Hispanic , LGBTQA , along with a variety of junior and senior attorneys to create an open conversation on topics while maintaining the necessary continuity and history of the largest voluntary bar association in the Southeast .
What was satisfying to you about the Presidential term ?
Past President Terry Walsh ( 2019 ) ; Frank Strickland ( 1985 ); and C . Wilson DuBose ( 1995 ) with Atlanta Bar Secretary E . Tyron Brown and President Amy Cheng .
Favorite event and why ?
The Football Party for the Georgia – Florida game stands out as a fun social gathering but more importantly , adding a family friendly event to the Bar ’ s calendar . We perceive a gap in membership demographics regarding younger families with small children ( like myself ). This is an area we can continue to expand through fun family events .
I am proud of our Executive Committee team and how , during difficult conversations , we came together , with very different points of view , to discuss the best path forward for the Bar . Our process to examine difficult issues and reach good decisions was key to our success . This process allowed me to shine and allowed us to work through difficult issues . I also received great support from the Executive Director Toni Roberts , from your team at The Atlanta Lawyer , and from Judge Sara Doyle and Steve Labriola , Co-Chairs of the Bar ’ s Innovation Study Group ( ISG ), to just name a few .
Atlanta Bar Board Members : L-R : Jake Carroll ( Nelson Mullins ), Secretary E . Tyron Brown ( Hawkins Parnell & Young ), Atlanta Bar Foundation President Alan Poole ( Troutman Pepper ), Vice President Emily Ward ( Continuum Legal Group ), Patrick Reagin ( Holland & Knight ), Executive Director and CEO Toni Roberts , Atlanta Bar Foundation Immediate Past President Louis Cohan ( Cohan Law Group ), President Amy Cheng ( Nelson Mullins ), Treasurer Jerico Phillips ( Graphic Packaging International , LLC ), Kevin Patrick ( Kevin Patrick Law )
Speaking of membership expansion , what are some impacts of your term ?
As the first AAPI President , it was essential for me to make the Bar Association a home for all lawyers . With
Damon Elmore , Executive Director , State Bar of Georgia ; Sarah B . Akins , Immediate Past President , State Bar of Georgia ; Ivy N . Cadle , President-Elect , State Bar of Georgia ; Mary Smith , President , American Bar Association ; Chris Lightner , Immediate Past President , Atlanta Bar Association ; Amy B . Cheng , President , Atlanta Bar Association ; Toni Roberts , Executive Director and CEO , Atlanta Bar Association ; Emily Ward , Vice President , Atlanta Bar Association .
What impact did this have on other commitments ?
This role requires a lot of personal sacrifice . Thus , family support cannot be overstated . On average my Bar time was between five and ten hours a week , sometimes
www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 9