The Atlanta Lawyer January/February 2014 | Page 37

section update Real Estate Section Update By Michael E. Leavey Dorough & Dorough, LLC [email protected] A fter our extreme cold winter weather, those of us who work in the real estate sector look forward to warmer spring weather and, hopefully, continued thawing of the real estate markets. The Real Estate Section continues to provide professional learning and professional development opportunities through its monthly breakfast meetings and its pro bono programming. The Section ended 2013 with Paula Frederick, General Counsel of State Bar of Georgia, presenting an "Update on Ethics in Real Estate Practice" in conjunction with the Section's Holiday Cocktail Reception. The event presented a great opportunity to socialize with Ms. Frederick and other Section members. We kicked off the new year with a joint breakfast meeting co-sponsored by the Environmental & Toxic Tort Section and a panel discussion entitled "New Year, New Issues: What Current Environmental Concerns Should Make Real Estate Attorneys Rethink Old Practices." Panelists Kimberley Hale, Esq. of Kazmarek Mowrey Cloud Laseter LLP; Brooke Dickerson, Esq. of Arnall Golden & Gregory; and Alan Agadoni of Cardno ATC provided their specialized insight on recent environmental regulations and compliance trends that may affect due diligence in real estate transactions. The Real Estate Section holds its breakfast meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 a.m., at the offices of Arnall Golden & Gregory in Atlantic Station. CLE credit typically is available for Section members and attendees. The Section reserves a number of free or reduced-price spaces at its meetings and events for unemployed attorneys and law students. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the Section or its activities, please contact a Board member or Karen English at [email protected]. *** The Real Estate Section’s Board includes Chair, Michael E. Leavey (Dorough & Dorough, LLC); Vice-Chair, Jonathan L. Neville (Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP); Secretary, Brian J. Harris (Bloom Sugarman Everett, LLP); Treasurer, Cory B. Thompson (Kutak Rock, LLP); Immediate Past Chair, Charles H. Van Horn (Berman Fink Van Horn PC); Members-at-Large, Ricky B. Novak (Strategic 1031 Exchange Advisors), R. Kyle Williams (Williams Teusink, LLC), and Kevin M. Rys (Neel & Robinson, LLC) The Section is continuing its Pro Bono Landlord Assistance Project in 2014. Through this project, which was awarded the Atlanta Bar's Pro Bono Award for 2013, members of the Real Estate Section provide brief consultations on a walk-in and scheduled basis to new, inexperienced residential landlords, many of whom leased their own homes or individual rooms to make ends meet and do not have the resources to hire an attorney. Section members work to provide landlords with a better understanding of a landlord's obligations and tenants’ rights under Georgia law. H