SECTIONS
• Adams Capital , LLC
• American Surety Bonds Agency , LLC
• Bennett Thrasher , LLP
• Brightworth , LLC
• Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
• Hindman , LLC
• Regions Bank - Private Wealth Management
• Sterling Foundation Management , LLC
As the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 continues to unfold , and greater numbers of Americans become vaccinated , we look forward to resuming some in-person meeting later in 2021 . In the meantime , the EP & P Section stands ready to offer its members alternatives to in-person gatherings and opportunities for professional development and social interaction . The EP & P Section Board wishes to thank our wonderful speakers for their generosity in sharing their time and knowledge , our Section Sponsors for their valued support , the leadership and staff of the Atlanta Bar Association , and most of all , our Section Members , who continue to make the Estate Planning & Probate Section one of the most active and vibrant Sections of the Atlanta Bar Association . On behalf of the entire Board of the EP & P Section , thank you !
Judicial Law
ALLISON L . BYRD Morgan & DiSalvo , PC abyrd @ morgandisalvo . com
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The Judicial Section has enjoyed a fun and educational , if nontraditional , Bar year . We used the early pause to accomplish a comprehensive update of our Section Bylaws . Then in September , we hosted dozens of judges from local municipal , juvenile , state , superior , federal , and appellate courts for an open forum Zoom discussion of how to best hold court amidst the evolving challenges of COVID-19 . It was a wide-ranging , timely , and helpful conversation for all of us .
By December , jury trials were again on the horizon , and the Judicial Section joined with the Criminal Law Section to provide information from various metro area municipal , state , and federal judges on expected practices and procedures as we approached the re-start of criminal jury trials .
January allowed us some light and lively interaction with ACYL and the Public Interest Law Section as we competed in a Zoom Legal Trivia night .
Spring brought with it the business of nominating the new Judicial Section leadership and also the possibility of enjoying the outdoors . And what better way to do that than a volunteer gardening / farming opportunity currently being planned with the Women in the Profession Section .
Litigation
HON . PAIGE REESE WHITAKER Superior Court of Fulton County Paige . Whitaker @ fultoncountyga . gov
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Anyone involved in the Litigation Section knows that our events are known for both their educational and social aspects , and probably the most well-known events are our monthly breakfast meetings , held for many years at the Ansley Golf Club . This year obviously presented significant difficulties in our ability to meet , but I am pleased to report that the 2020-2021 Bar year has been a resounding success . We resumed meeting last September by Zoom and have held all nine meetings this year remotely . Our members have enthusiastically embraced this new format and our attendance has generally equaled or exceeded our in-person meetings .
Our meetings this year covered common matters that arise in modern litigation , with additional material specific to the pandemic era . We began the year with a panel discussion of “ Litigation in the Age of COVID-19 ” that included Chief Justice Harold Melton ( Supreme Court of Georgia ), followed in October , November , and December by panel discussions of pandemic-related employment litigation issues , force majeure matters , and business interruption insurance . Returning to more traditional topics , from January through April our programs featured distinguished litigators discussing highexposure litigation , taking and defending 30 ( b )( 6 ) depositions , lawyers ’ standard of care in the digital age , and ADR considerations during the pandemic . Our final meeting of the year in May included a panel discussion of appellate advocacy .
On May 1 our sections met at Gilliam Park in Kirkwood to volunteer with Trees Atlanta , clearing non-native bushes and other plants throughout the park . Looking toward next year , we are excited to meet again in person once we can safely do so . We will also hold our annual Half-day CLE on May 26 via Zoom . This year ’ s topic will
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