Did You Know?
BASICS GALA
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On Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the
Druid Hills Golf Club, Atlanta Bar
Association Past President and
BASICS Gala Chair Seth Kirsh-
enbaum led a 40th Anniversary
Gala celebration recognizing the
success of the Bar Association
Support to Improve Correctional
Services (BASICS) program. The
event was sponsored in part by
the Atlanta Bar Association, At-
lanta Bar Foundation and Atlanta
Bar Association Past Presidents.
BASICS operates in 22 prison
transition centers around the
state and provides an eight week
training course to help prepare
prisoners to be productive and
law abiding citizens after their re-
lease. The BASICS program has
trained thousands of men and
women over its 40 year history.
Graduates of the BASICS pro-
gram have lower recidivism rates
than inmates who do not receive
the training.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: SECTIONS DIRECTOR
Sections Direc-
tor Karen Eng-
lish joined the
Atlanta Bar staff
in 2013 and came
prepared for the
role with over 17
years of experi-
Karen
ence in associa-
English
tion management
and nonprofit experience. With 21
Section operations to oversee, great
organization and time manage-
ment expertise is a requirement
in order to execute the many and
broad educational programs and
social events that Sections imple-
ment each month. “I think the big-
gest challenge in my role is making
sure that each Section receives the
one on one support they need as
they carry out their goals and board
initiatives. It is important that I
utilize my experience and exper-
tise in being a resource to all of
the Sections and their members.”
Karen was born in a military fam-
ily and lived in Hawaii during her
formative middle school years
where she was exposed to a variety
of cultures that she feels was influ-
ential in shaping her life outlook.
“Not only is Karen resourceful and
diplomatic in her work, she is able
to perform her duties with grace
under pressure and is a polished
ambassador for our Association—
both to our members and within
the legal community”, stated execu-
tive director Terri Bryant. In her
spare time, Karen enjoys family
time with her husband and two
year old daughter.
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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