The Atlanta Lawyer February 2016 | Page 6

We Manage the Firm, So You Can Practice Law PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE fied indigent defendants will be held in custody awaiting trial, thereby jeopardizing their jobs, housing and families dependent upon them. Defendants able to make commercial bonds will no longer be supervised by Pretrial Services. The expected consequences of these changes include an adverse effect on public safety in addition to an increase in the population in the Fulton County Jail. In addition, as a result of these changes, the Offices of the District Attorney and Public Defender have had to implement furloughs which in turn is slowing down the resolution of criminal cases. The Superior Court reports that creating a backlog of criminal cases will result in the diversion of judicial resources from civil and family cases. We are told that the entire Superior Court Bench and the Office of Court Administration are committed more than ever to do all they can to seek the restoration of the funding in order to keep the doors open at Pretrial Services and the services in place to our community. While the importance of fiscal management cannot be overstated, the reduction in funding to our courts has far reaching implications that, aside from the obvious devastating consequences to those directly affected, could ultimately result in increased costs, the opposite of the intended purpose for the reduction. The Superior Court judges are advocating and requesting support from the legal community regarding the need to restore funding for the Court in these critical areas. Finally, there have been so many activities within our association recently. During February, members participated in our annual “Take Your Adversary to Lunch” program, which encourages our members to engage socially with “opposing” counsel. It has always received positive feedback and will culminate with awards to those selected from a special drawing. As March approaches, please look for opportunities to participate in our annual Pro Bono March Madness, as a volunteer through the Equal Justice in Law Enforcement (“EJLE”) Committee’s School Outreach Program, or in the many other programs designed to support the development of young (and not so young) lawyers. We appreciate and greatly value the outstanding work of our sections, the lifeblood of our association. In March, we will begin our 15 months for the price of 12 promotion for new members. In addition, as our Atlanta Bar elections begin in March, please look for your voting ballot, which will arrive to you electronically. You play a critically important role in choosing the leaders who will be responsible for directing and furthering the mission of our esteemed association. In closing, we know that you, our members, are the tru e ambassadors of our association and I ask that you speak with your friends and colleagues about the meaningful work of our association and the many benefits of membership and ask them to join you as a member of the Atlanta Bar Association. Thank you, Harold E. Franklin, Jr. Atlanta Bar Association President You went to school to practice law, not to run a business. From office space to time and billing, to IT support and everything in between, IST Law Office is a management solution designed to take away the burden of running your firm so that you can focus on what you love, practicing law. IST Law Office eliminates the time and headaches associated with managing a small firm or sole practice, by providing you with: A Fully Furnished Office with Shared Resources Professional Support Staff Legal Support Software A Single Bill for the Management of Your Entire Firm The IST Law Office base service includes: Dedicated Resources ƒ A Fully Furnished Atlanta Office ƒ Laptop with Microsoft Office ƒ Time and Billing Software ƒ New Matter Intake Software ƒ IST DocStor Legal - Document Management Software February 2016 www.istmanagement.com ƒ Conference Room, Break Room, Supply Room Legal Administrator ƒ IT Administrator ƒ Receptionist ƒ Office Services (Mail, Copy, Hospitality, Etc.) ƒ IST Law Office can also provide: Paralegal Support Retention Policy Development Court House Courier Valet Services - Dry Cleaner, Car Parking for Special Guests, Car Services, etc… For more information, please contact: 6 Shared Resources Legal Word Processing Accounting Support Marketing Support Web Design Document Standardization Engagement Letters, etc… Andrew Addison National Director, Project Management Email: [email protected] - Phone: (404) 582-8866