THOUGHTS FROM THE BOARD
In an effort to get to know your Atlanta Bar Association Board of Directors, TAL will pose a question to the Board relevant to the issue’ s theme and include select responses. For our inaugural section, we asked the question: How has your membership in and participation with the Atlanta Bar Association developed your professionalism and collegiality with the Bench or the Bar?
Chris Lightner, Alston + Bird( Member at Large): My involvement with the Atlanta Bar Association began early in my career and for that reason has proven invaluable. Not only has the
Atlanta Bar afforded me multiple leadership and speaking opportunities, in so doing, I have also met many attorneys that I would not have had I instead networked primarily within my own firm. Due to its size and the focused sections, the Atlanta Bar offers a unique atmosphere in this respect, in that not only have I been able to routinely meet others within the local legal community, but I have been able to do so in a manner that has led to and maintained meaningful longterm friendships.
Matt Simmons, Shepherd Law( Member at Large): Way back in 2007, when I was a“ baby lawyer” starting my first job, Wade Malone( Nelson Mullins) took me under his wing and first exposed me to the Atlanta Bar. Over the course of the past 10 years, I always approach every professional decision by asking myself one question: What would Wade do? While I know that my involvement in the Atlanta Bar played a large part in molding me into the professional I am today, I truly owe where I am in my career and the professional reputation I have established thus far to Wade.
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER 13