The Atlanta Lawyer January/February 2013 | Page 34

section update Real Estate Section Update By Michael E. Leavey Dorough & Dorough, LLC T h e A t l a n t a B a r A s s o c i a t i o n ’s e m p h a s i s o n professionalism this month provides a perfect opportunity to revisit the tenets of professional conduct that guide the practice of law. The Lawyer's Creed developed by the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism reminds us that the framework for the practice of law should include the principles of competence, diligence, integrity, civility, respect, public service and common good. The Real Estate Section strives to strengthen these core values for Section members by offering opportunities for continuing education, pro bono participation and establishing goodwill among colleagues. The Section hosts monthly breakfast meetings where real estate industry speakers give presentations on substantive legal matters of interest to the Section. CLE credit is typically available for attendees. At its January breakfast [email protected] meeting, the Section hosted a panel discussion entitled "Beneath the Surface: Environmental Considerations in Real Estate Transactions." Panelists Robert Brawner of One Consulting Group, Alan J. Bressler of Greyling Insurance Brokerage, and Edwin Schwartz, Esq. of Sweetnam and Schwartz, LLC, discussed the intricacies of anticipating, discovering and addressing environmental issues in real estate transactions. Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel of the State Bar of Georgia, spoke at the Section's December meeting about ethics and professionalism issues affecting the real estate practitioner. Ms. Frederick discussed participation of Georgia lawyers in witness-only closings, handling transaction funds and the State Bar's concern about how a lawyer prepares for transitioning out of practice. The Section's monthly meetings provide a good opportunity to meet and make contacts with other real estate professionals. The Section is also planning several social and networking events for the Spring. All members of the Real Estate Section have an opportunity to participate in the Section's on-going pro bono initiative where Section members offer brief consultations to unrepresented residential landlords at the Fulton County State and Magistrate Court Self-Help Clinic. One of the goals of this initiative is to provide landlords with a better understanding of landlords' rights and obligations and of tenants' rights under Georgia law. As promoted in the Lawyer's Creed, this is an area where Section members strive to make the law and our legal system available to all and to seek the common good through the representation of clients. David Rubenstein 34 THE ATLANTA LAWYER s January/February 2013 The Section welcomes lawyers who are interested in real estate issues to attend Section meetings and participate in the Section's activities. For more information on how you can become more involved, please contact a Board member or Tanya Windham at [email protected]. ■ The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association