The Atlanta Lawyer August/September 2015 | Page 53

section update Real Estate Section By Joseph Farrell Quirk & Quirk, LLC [email protected] I f history could teach us anything, it would be that private property is inextricably linked with civilization. ~Ludwig von Mises further the Atlanta Bar Association’s goal to be lawyers who serve. If you wish to volunteer, please contact Jonathan Neville, Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, at [email protected]. Comprised of several hundred lawyers, the Real Estate Section has assembled an ambitious agenda of both professional, civic, and social activities for the 2015-16 bar year under the leadership of Real Estate Section Chair, Cory Thompson of Kutak Rock LLP. As far as social activities for its members, the Section held its Summer Kick-Off Social on July 2, 2015 at the Blind Pig Parlour Bar, a trendy “speakeasy” with a hidden entrance. Members enjoyed networking and learning how to become involved with the Section. Attendees enjoyed fantastic hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and good conversation in a quaint setting. The Section will follow up the “speakeasy” experience with a trip to Turner Field on September 17, 2015 to enjoy a networking social and then watch the Braves take on the Toronto Bluejays in an interleague contest. The Real Estate Section continues to host its regular monthly breakfast meetings, which include presentations for which members can earn CLE credits. In a recent meeting, Brian Smith of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP presented “Leasin’ on a Prayer – Drafting Retail Leases Like a Rock Star.” Bon Jovi, watch out! On August 18, 2015, Scott Hitch of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP gave a presentation entitled “Environmental Remediation: the Latest on Vapor Mitigation.” Over the past year, the Real Estate section also hosted joint presentations with the Litigation Section and Dispute Resolution Section, reflecting both the complexity of the problems the real estate practitioner faces and the resources the Section has to educate its members on a broad variety of topics. In addition to education and earning CLE credit, the breakfast meetings also provide a means to socialize with other attorneys in the Section. With respect to giving back to the community, the Real Estate Section continues to partner with the Court Administrator’s Office of Fulton County State Court to provide pro bono counsel to unrepresented residential landlords. The Court Administrator offers a Self-Help Clinic for tenants with matters pending in State and Magistrate Court. To provide similar pro bono assistance to unrepresented landlords, members of the Real Estate Section volunteer on-site at the Self-Help Center on designated dates and times to provide counsel on a walk-in and scheduled basis. Through this pro bono initiative, the Real Estate Section seeks to educate and assist unrepresented landlords, many of which find themselves acting as landlords due to changed economic circumstances rather than by choice and to The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association August/September 2015 THE ATLANTA LAWYER 53