The Atlanta Lawyer August/September 2014 | Page 5

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE membership at large. I feel greatly encouraged by some of the comments and emails I have received from board members since the retreat. Nekia, a former Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) participant from Therrell High School, and now Co-Chair of SLIP notes that, “I have been a beneficiary of the Atlanta Bar’s programming efforts since I was a teenager, and now that I am on the other side, I can fully appreciate the fact that the Bar’s community-wide impact does not occur by happenstance.” Instead, it is accomplished through the tireless efforts of the board and the thousands of dedicated members who go above and beyond the call of duty. I am honored to serve with each of you and look forward to continuing the great work of this valuable organization. Pictured at the 2014-2015 Board Retreat are (first/bottom row) Margaret “Maggie” H. Vath, Jacquelyn H. Saylor, Nekia Hackworth Jones, Harold E. Franklin Jr., (second row) Joan C. Grafstein, Lisa K. Liang, Terri Beck, Michelle Edwards, Christopher P. Lightner, (third row) Nicole G. Iannarone, Wade H. Watson III, Curtis J. Martin II, Gregory T. Presmanes, (fourth row) James “Jim” D. Blitch IV, David Richards, Rita A. Sheffey, Robert M. Lewis Jr., (not pictured) Jonathan E. Hawkins, Eugenia Wooten Iredale, S. Wade Malone, Mark A. Rawls (legal counsel), Melissa Phillips Reading, and Meka Ward. We’re Social The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association Join Us! August/September 2014 THE ATLANTA LAWYER 5