SECTIONS
23 , 2020 , we had a joint meeting with the Dispute Resolution Section on the topic “ Best Practices for Virtual Mediations and Arbitrations .” On October 28 , 2020 , we met for “ In-House Counsel Observations .” On November 18 , 2020 , we came together with the Real Estate Section on “ The State of the Construction and Real Estate Industries and Anticipation for the Future .” On December 10 , 2020 , we discussed “ Effective Planning and Managing a Project Schedule in a Pandemic .” On January 27 , 2021 , the topic was an “ Ethics Update .” On February 24 , 2021 , we congregated for the “ 2020 – 2021 Legislative Update .” On March 24 , 2021 , we focused on “ Lessons Learned in the Life of a Construction Lawyer .” On April 28 , 2021 , it was all about “ Representing the Energy Sector in the 21st Century .” Finally , on May 12 , 2021 we had a meeting on “ Extrapolation Evidence – Presenting and Challenging It .” All the meetings were well-organized , had outstanding panelists and had great turn-out .
The Construction Section also participated in two successful community service projects . First , during the 2020 holiday season , the Construction Section joined forces with the Bankruptcy Section to participate in a clothing dive for Atlanta Mission . The two sections provided numerous needed warm clothing for those in need . On Saturday , May 1 , 2021 , the Construction Section teamed-up with the Litigation Section to do forest restoration work at Gilliam Park for Trees Atlanta . That was hard but rewarding community service work .
Additionally , we did not see any decline in membership this bar year . Our members were steadfast in maintaining their membership . That was the driving factor in allowing our section to have an outstanding year . We started the year with a strong foundation and build on that strong foundation . We look forward to bigger and greater success .
E . TYRON BROWN Hawkins Parnell & Young , LLP tbrown @ hpylaw . com
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Dispute Resolution
The pandemic caused , and continues to cause , an upheaval of our “ normal ” lives . As this Bar year winds to a close , we want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the Dispute Resolution Section for their willingness to participate in our programming during this unprecedented Bar year .
The September 2020 program was a joint meeting with the Construction Law section presenting : " Best Practices for Virtual Mediations and Arbitrations " moderated by Eric B . Coleman ( Partner , Winter Capriola Zenner ) and Jennifer B . Grippa ( Miles Mediation & Arbitration ) and featuring speakers Jennifer W . Fletcher ( Partner , Eversheds Sutherland ); Herbert “ Hal ” Gray III ( Partner Ragsdale Beals Seigler Patterson & Gray , LLP ); Jessica Sabbath ( Senior Attorney , King & Spalding ) and Keith L . Richardson ( Partner , Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton , LLP ).
In October 2020 , Shelby Grubbs ( JAMS ) and Glenn Hendrix ( Arnall Golden Gregory LLP ) were the featured speakers at a program entitled " Third Party Subpoenas in Arbitration ," moderated by Joyce B . Klemmer ( JAMS ).
Our November 2020 program highlighted " Marketing Your ADR Practice in Our New Normal ." Susan Guthrie , experienced attorney , mediator , online mediation expert , and podcast host was our featured speaker . Susan provided tips on platforms that ADR practitioners can use to expand their mediation and arbitration practices . Our thanks to Doug Witten ( Innovative ADR ) for organizing this meeting .
In December 2020 , the Section tackled the thorny issues that arise for arbitrators , lawyers , and parties , when dealing with different types of awards : Interim , Partial , Final , and Consent Awards . We were provided with excellent insights by Melinda Holladay ( AAA ); our own section leader Joyce B . Klemmer ( JAMS ) and Curtis Romig ( Bryan Cave ). Erika Birg ( Nelson Mullins ) moderated .
The January 2021 meeting was joint meeting with the Family Law Section presenting " Dealing with an Unrepresented Party " with speakers : Michelle H . Jordan ( Managing Attorney , Atlanta Legal Aid Society Downtown Family Law Unit ); Hon . Rebecca Crumrine Rieder ( Superior Court Judge , Atlanta Judicial Circuit ) and Hon . Gail S . Tusan , Senior Judge ( JAMS ) moderated by Eileen Thomas ( Eileen Thomas , LLC ).
Our March 2021 program , cleverly titled " From Bulldogs to Lapdogs : Negotiating Styles and How They Can Impact a Mediation " was moderated by Hon . Gail S . Tusan , Senior Judge ( JAMS ) with speakers Frank A . Lightmas , Jr . ( Independent Mediator and Arbitrator ); Gregory T . Presmanes ( Bovis Kyle Mediations ); Lynn M . Roberson ( Miles Mediation and Arbitration ) and Bernard Taylor ( JAMS ).
April 2021 we partnered with the Litigation Section to present " Using ADR to Defeat the Pandemic " moderated by Terrance Lee Croft ( JAMS ) with speakers Hon . Cynthia Wright ( JAMS ); Joseph Murphey ( Miles Mediation and Arbitration ); and Tucker Ely ( Partner , Fellows LaBriola LLP ).
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