Access Atlanta Bar : Meet Me at the Bar !
TUNDE AKINBOLA Alston & Bird , LLP Akintunde . Akinbola @ alston . com
CHRIS LIGHTNER Alston & Bird , LLP Chris . Lightner @ alston . com
On March 24 , 2021 , the Atlanta Bar Association held its inaugural “ Meet Me at the Bar !” event . Jerico Phillips ( Lazega & Johanson ) moderated and deftly engaged a panel that included Hon . Paige Reese Whitaker ( Superior Court of Fulton County ), Lauren Brenner ( Kilpatrick Townsend ), Ty Brown ( Hawkins , Parnell & Young ), Stephen Bush ( Bodker , Ramsey , Andrews , Winograd & Wildstein ), Betsy C . Griswold ( Atlanta Bar Foundation ), John D . Hadden ( The Hadden law firm ), Sarah Babcock ( Truancy Intervention Project of Georgia ), and Chris P . Lightner ( Alston & Bird ).
To motivate new member engagement , several panelists first shared how they first became actively involved in the Atlanta Bar and its leadership . For example , Hadden described how attending section breakfast events gave him access to notable attorneys and federal judges , even as a newly barred attorney himself . Similarly , Brenner highlighted the diversity within the Atlanta Council of Young Lawyers ( ACYL ). After Lightner highlighted the relatively closeknit nature of the Atlanta Bar , Bush explained how that facilitates shortened timelines for leadership opportunities . Babcock also shared how her involvement in the public interest section early on in her career was invaluable as she transitioned form private practice to the nonprofit sector .
Discussion next turned to innovation within the Atlanta Bar . Bush shared the speed with which the formation of the Privacy and Cybersecurity Law Section , filling a local need , happened ; this has led not only to a leadership role for him , but also valuable panel discussions and events for professionals practicing in this area . Lightner also highlighted the SideBar program , launched in 2019 and designed to help new members engage and build meaningful relationships with their peers and also more senior members of the Atlanta Bar ; the goal of this program remains to nurture and support the next generation of leaders of the Atlanta Bar . Lauren echoed this focus of engagement , reiterating that because of the size and the voluntary nature of membership , many folks are active , and the Atlanta Bar wants to ensure the association provides meaningful opportunities for all . Joining a section or volunteering on committees and / or bar-wide programs is easy ; any members interested are encouraged to reach out to bar leaders .
Hon . Whitaker , Brown and Hadden next discussed their experiences with how involvement with the Atlanta Bar has influenced the human side of their courtroom and / or litigation-based practices . Brown highlighted the Litigation section ’ s “ Take Your Adversary to Lunch ” program , providing value by bringing daytime “ warring ” parties together in a non-adversarial environment . Hon . Whitaker added that breakfasts like this , along with social events and / or service projects alike , create valuable opportunities to get to know your colleagues on a personal level . Hadden agreed , noting that meeting future opposing counsel at various Atlanta Bar events and possibly becoming lifelong friends makes it easier to handle litigation matters when they arise .
Shifting gears , Griswold and Babcock emphasized how the Atlanta Bar ’ s partnerships in the community and with public interest organizations influenced their decision to become and remain involved . Griswold highlighted the programs begun and maintained by the Atlanta Bar Foundation ( as the charitable arm of the Atlanta Bar Association ), including the Summer Law Internship Program and the Minority and Diversity Clerkship Program . With an attitude of service , these and other programs are ripe for new engagement and leadership from new members . Sarah agreed , noting the impact of COVID-19 as well on public interest efforts , making opportunities for engagement more extensive — and more important — now than ever before . Those interested in opportunities in this area and / or learning more about the Atlanta Bar ’ s long-term commitment to service in the community are encouraged to reach out to bar leaders .
In concluding , Phillips thanked the panel for sharing their insights on how new members looking to become involved may consider navigating existing opportunities , whether for volunteering on a committee or program or joining leadership of a section or otherwise . At the end of the day , the Atlanta Bar provides valuable resources for members , and an avenue to form life-long friendships and meaningful relationships with our fellow Atlanta-based colleagues .
28 April / May 2021