IN THE PROFESSION
Atlanta Bar Association Welcomes Its 119th President Betsy Griswold
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M ore than 300 members of Atlanta ' s legal community gathered on May 2, 2026, for the Atlanta Bar Association ' s Spring Gala and Annual Meeting at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta. The event brought together attorneys, judges, legal professionals, and community leaders for an evening celebrating leadership, service, and excellence within the profession.
Guests enjoyed a performance by the Emory University Vega Quartet and remarks from Georgia Supreme Court Justice John Ellington. The evening also recognized several outstanding leaders, including Harold Franklin, recipient of the Charles E. Watkins, Jr. Award, and Joyce Gist Lewis, recipient of the Professionalism Award. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to the 2025 Leadership Academy
Committee, including Kevan Dorsey, Taylor Orgeron, Elliott Coward, Alex Peurach, Edwin Garrison, Matthew Gass, Bryan Grantham, Ashley Rice, Amy Rudolph, and Uchenna Ekuma-Nkama. The Litigation Section was named Large Section of the Year, while the Estate Planning and Probate( EPP) Section received Small Section of the Year honors.
The evening concluded with the installation of Betsy C. Griswold as the Atlanta Bar Association ' s 119th President. As she accepted the gavel, Griswold shared her vision for the year ahead, emphasizing collaboration, professional development, and service. The Spring Gala successfully launched a new tradition for the Association, celebrating the people and values that continue to strengthen Atlanta ' s legal community.
1- Atlanta Bar Foundation President Joel Neuman, Incoming President, Betsy Griswold, Outgoing President E. Tyron Brown
2- Atlanta Bar Association 2026-2027 Board of Directors. L-R: Hon Scott F. McAfee( Fulton Superior Court), Mary Weeks( Troutman Pepper Locke), Lee Peifer( Eversheds Sutherland), Betsy Griswold( IHG Hotels and Resorts), Kevin Patrick( Kevin Patrick Law), Deborah Cazan( Bradley Arant), Joel Neuman, E. Tyron Brown( Hawkins Parnell), Matthew Gass( Clark Hill PLLC), William Burnett( Thomson Hine), Jeff Kaplan( Jones
3- Atlanta Bar Association Vice President Kevin Patrick, Incoming President Betsy Griswold, Outgoing President E. Tyron Brown
4- Therrell High School Color Guard
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