The Atlanta Lawyer December 2015 | Page 5

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE that volunteers are able to easily tailor their volunteer experience. If you are interested in serving by volunteering to go into high schools to help students learn more about their Fourth Amendment Constitutional Rights and strategies designed to help prevent escalating conflict in encounters with law enforcement, please visit the EJLE webpage for more information. For the January 14th event, we have assembled a stellar and preeminent panel of leaders from law enforcement, citizen advocate groups and academia for an all-day symposium to have a meaningful dialogue and search for solutions to benefit our community. The symposium promises to be a must see program and we have worked tirelessly to assemble the experts on the issues of training, community policing, criminal justice reform, the role of race, class, and mental health in police-citizen encounters and so many others. Our panelists are recognized and highly sought-after authorities in their respective fields and we are so pleased to convene these leaders to explore how we, as lawyers, can be a valued resource to law enforcement and citizens. We are also honored to have a panel of distinguished jurists. I firmly believe that tough policing and due process are not mutually exclusive and that a balanced approach is needed. It is my hope that the legal community, and the voluntary bar, will play a vital role in helping to lessen the potential for discriminatory policing practices and uphold the civil and constitutional rights of every citizen, while also supporting the outstanding work, dedication and sacrifice of our law enforcement community. Notwithstanding our primary goal of engaging the legal community in this effort, the symposium will also be open to non-lawyers and the community. Seating is limited so please register immediately if you would like to attend. CLE credit will be available. You may attend all or part of the program. Preregistration and prepayment of a nominal registration fee ($20) is required. Go to www.atlantabar.org and click on the Equal Justice in Law Enforcement Symposium banner to register. Colleagues or friends you may invite that are not Atlanta Bar members can contact Denisha Wise at [email protected] or 404-537-4932 to register. The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association You, our valued members, allow our Association to serve the community. As the largest voluntary bar association in the southeast United States, strong membership is critically important to the ongoing success of our esteemed association. This year, through our membership committee, we have implemented an “Ambassador Program,” which seeks to identify and recruit Atlanta Bar supporters and leaders throughout various law firms (of all sizes), corporate legal departments, practice areas, and those in public service. We know that you, our members, know the value of membership and the positive impact t