CHARLES WATKINS AWARD
Remarks of Charles E. Watkins Jr. Award Recipient Rita A. Sheffey
from the 2012 -2013 Annual Meeting & Awards Reception
Commitment to the Team
By Rita A. Sheffey
Hunton & Williams LLP
T
oday and every day I am proud to be a member of the
Atlanta Bar Association. Joining the Atlanta Bar was a
natural part of developing my legal career. Among the
many reasons to join were the desire to meet and network
with colleagues and to get to know our judges. I suspect
many of you began the journey the same way. Becoming an
Atlanta Bar member was something I did for me.
Becoming a leader is something I did for the Association.
“To whom much is given, much is required.” We have all
heard that phrase many times, perhaps from our parents, in
church, and at graduations. Just yesterday, I heard those
words spoken as two new juvenile court judges were sworn
in. The words motivate me and are particularly apt in this
service profession.
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when, and we do it without being asked. In all we do, we
are focused on the success of our team.
I am immensely proud to be a member of the Atlanta Bar
team, and I am deeply honored to receive this recognition
for distinguished and sustained service to my team. I want
all of you to know that you can always count on me. ■
Steven Gottlieb to Receive
Charles H. Dorsey, Jr. Award
As a new Atlanta Bar member, I was not content for long to sit
on the sidelines and let others do all the heavy lifting. When
I saw opportunities to get involved, by joining a committee
or a section, and then to lead, by chairing a committee or
a section, and then becoming president, I happily offered
myself to serve. Over time, I quickly evolved from that new
member looking for what the Atlanta Bar could do for me to
what I could do for the Atlanta Bar. Becoming so invested in
and focused on the Association, rather than on myself, my
commitment to the Atlanta Bar has only strengthened over
time, and I suspect will continue to do so.
Leadership in and service to the Atlanta Bar is analogous to a
team sport, like a relay race in track and field. As individuals,
we train and practice for years and over time we grow and
develop into a team. As we pass the baton from one member
to the next, we must do so efficiently and smoothly. When
we are handed the baton, we strive for our personal best,
but our goal is always the good of the team, not individual
achievement. Sometimes, we may not run in a particular
race, but we are no less important to our team. We helped
prepare them for the race, we stand on the sidelines cheering
them on, and we are prepared to step in and support in any
way we can. Sometimes we know just what is needed and
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association
The American Bar Association has named Steven
Gottlieb, Esq. the winner of the 2013 Charles H.
Dorsey, Jr. Award. The Dorsey award recognizes
exceptional work by a legal aid lawyer and is given
as a tribute to the late Mr. Dorsey, to whom the
ABA refers as a “champion of the poor”.
Linda Klein, managing partner at Baker, Donelson,
was the nominator. References were supplied by
David Gambrell, Bill Ide and Congressman John
Lewis.
June/July 2013
THE ATLANTA LAWYER 11