The Atlanta Lawyer June/July 2020 Vol. 19, No. 1 | Page 25

MEMBERSHIP
For him, it was rewarding to see the interest of the participants
and their willingness to become engaged. The low for Lightner was
the isolation from COVID-19, the cancelation of events from this
organization as well as others as it has become a struggle to remain
engaged and involved. Cheng declined to give a low as she likes to
see things positively. Instead, she chose several highlights such as the
collaboration between the sections and the strength of the Atlanta
Bar community to stay engaged and dedicated.
Following the highs and lows, each panelist was asked to share
something that most people may now know about him or her. Walsh
shared that his wife was a two-time Olympian and that they met in
college. Cleland revealed that he loves to work out. Additionally, he
has studied piano throughout his life and he recently took it up again
over the past few years with a retired Emory professor. Cleland has
been working on some Brahams pieces – the ones he wrote at the end
of his life. Baugh loves to run and do Orange Theory workouts and has
kept it up during COVID-19. She actually met her husband rowing.
Lightner shared that he loves playing instruments, sometimes guitar
but primarily trumpet. Lightner has played since he was 10 years old
and played seriously for last 15 years. He plays in concert and pep
bands as well as marching bands. He has played at weddings and
at church. Currently, it is now more of a hobby as he plays with his
children – he plays with his oldest child who is in middle school and
is learning the clarinet. Cheng loves to eat. She created an Instagram
food blog to share her love of food with the world and she had great
hopes for it. According to Cheng, the blog is a failure because she
loses followers every time posts something.
been for him. He thanked the bar staff and believes the best days are
ahead. He proffered that Cleland is the “nicest human being” he has
ever met, and Walsh is excited for his tenure as president. Cleland
acknowledged that although this is a time of loss, it is also a time of
excitement to see where our dreaming and revisioning takes us. He
believes we bring a lot to one another and to the practice of law such
that he cannot wait to see how it manifests itself. Cleland closed his
remarks by thanking Walsh for his leadership and vision for which
he believes we are all changed for the better. As for the upcoming
year, Baugh is excited to see how the section leaders and the Bar itself
adapts to establish some great programming. Lightner explained he
is looking forward to seeing people in person and seeing programs
and committees in person. He is also looking forward to seeing
people getting together and associating with each other, not just on
a zoom call. Cheng echoed Lightner’s sentiments and stated she was
also looking forward to seeing people in person. She confessed that
she is extroverted and high energy and looks forward to getting to
know everyone in person.
Walsh asked the panelists to share a silver lining from
COVID-19 and working from home. Walsh began the discussion
mentioning that he has slowed down and spent time with his four
children. Although it has been difficult for him not to see his parents
and not to have his parents interact with their grandchildren.
Cleland has enjoyed spending time with his wife, who is a recovered
lawyer and teacher, and has realized how much he values his friends
and family. He feels apart from colleagues and friends, however and
misses hugging. Baugh revealed that she has two young children
aged 7 and 4 so she has spent a lot of time reading with them. They
have read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well as James and
the Giant Peach. As to Lightner, he has seven children, including a
set of triplets. He’s struggled to juggle children and work. Prior to
the pandemic he never ate dinner with the children and now he
does. They also take morning walks together and have met lots of
neighbors that way. Cheng disclosed that her fitness level has gone
up during this time because her husband is very fit and into staying
active and they have spent time together walking their puppy and
going on runs together.
The event closed with what each person is looking
forward to in the coming bar year. Walsh expressed his gratitude
and mentioned what an incredible experience being president has
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