IN THE PROFESSION the Profession Section for years .” – Hon . Ashley G . Drake ( Fulton County Magistrate Court )
During the Award Luncheon ’ s program , the Immediate Past Chair of the Section , Talis C . Trevino ( Holland & Knight LLP ), welcomed guests to the luncheon and gave a few opening remarks recapping the Section ’ s successful bar year .
A former General Counsel of the Award Recipient , Kelly J . L . Pridgen ( Cobb County Attorney ’ s Office ), introduced Urbani Wallace by sharing stories of her humor , tenacity , and passion for being a lifelong learner that paved the way for her successful career . “ When I first interviewed Michelle for Corporate Counsel at Association County Commissioners of Georgia , I reached out to Jim Elliott ( City Attorney for Warner Robbins , McDonough , and Hawkinsville ) as we were common connections . Not only did Elliott award her the Cali Award for Local Government Law while she was in law school , but he also stated ‘ I would recommend Michelle for anything . She is diligent , hardworking , and exceptionally organized .’” Pridgen went on to share that although she had been practicing for a seasoned amount of time and thought she knew all there was to know about contracts , she learned so many approaches from Urbani Wallace on transactional law , stating “ Michelle knows the art of negotiation . This became that much more evident when the pandemic hit , and Michelle saved the taxpayers millions of dollars in damages by undoing dozens of contracts that took years to put in place .”
Pridgen then pivoted to what makes Urbani Wallace even more deserving of this award , sharing that although this year ’ s recipient faced many challenges in the past few years , she remains an active volunteer and fervent supporter of other women while balancing a new baby and a new firm , sharing “ I cannot think of a better advocate for her business clients ” and “ because of Michelle , I will spend the last years of my career more involved .” dire need of firms and businesses who have a culture of allowing us to be human , sick , well , family members , friends ; the list grows ."
Urbani Wallace concluded her remarks by thanking the Atlanta Bar Association , the Women in the Profession Section , her family , friends , colleagues , and those in attendance for supporting the honoring of women in our profession and encouraged us to “ use your voice to speak up for yourself , take care of yourself by making wellness a priority , and advocate for these principles in rooms where decisions are being made for others .” Urbani Wallace ’ s remarks frequently evoked laughter and head nodding from the audience and left attendees feeling seen , heard , and inspired , invoking a standing ovation .
Given her passion in supporting prioritizing wellness in the profession , Urbani Wallace has been asked to speak at the Georgia Bar ’ s Wellness CLE Conference in September of this year . Additionally , as Chair of the Women in the Profession Section , Michelle is planning more wellness activities throughout this bar year including a tennis / pickleball social , as well as events that feature mental health and empowerment .
To close the Award Luncheon , Outgoing Vice Chair of the Section , Barclay Vallotton ( Krevolin & Horst ), thanked Urbani Wallace for her remarks and noted ,“ It is in Michelle ’ s true character to make the platform about how to help and inspire others .” Vallotton thanked all those present for their attendance , and the Section ’ s sponsors : First Horizon , Carrie Calla with Harry Norman , TrustpointOne , Caplan Cobb , and Krevolin & Horst . On behalf of the Section , Barclay extended a gift of appreciation to the outgoing Chair Talis C . Trevino for her leadership and service .
Award Recipient , Michelle Urbani Wallace
Upon acceptance of the Outstanding Women in the Profession Achievement Award , Urbani Wallace shared her own remarks offering a humble look at the path of practicing law . Attributing her voice in advocacy to a long line of fighters , she listed family and communication as at the top of her core values and challenged the audience to look at whether our work life blend , a phrase she coined to take the place of work life balance , is working for us . Urbani Wallace urged us to use our voices to speak up in becoming zealous advocates for ourselves , and prioritizing filling our well first before we pour from it , stating “ we may be lawyers , but we are human beings first .” As attorneys , “ we tend to believe we can control life ’ s outcome based on our input , we push ourselves hard , seldom throw pity parties , and accept this as part of the life of a lawyer .” However , “ we as a profession need to normalize taking time for ourselves and our families .” Identifying that “ lawyers are functioning workaholics and we do not know the extent to which we are starving for rest .” Urbani Wallace highlighted that the State Bar of Georgia understands we as a profession have a problem and in addition to the Lawyer Assistance Program , they have rolled out more wellness resources and CLEs than ever before with record interest and participation .” Urbani Wallace shared “ now I know what you are all thinking , it is not enough to put the onus on ourselves to speak up and prioritize wellness ; our profession is in www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 47