Estate Planning & Probate Litigation
SECTION UPDATES
As we have done consistently since the pandemic began two years ago , the Estate Planning & Probate Section has continued to sponsor numerous CLE events on timely topics that have been very well received by our members .
At our January 10 , 2022 , webinar , Laura Kennedy Bonander ( Watson Bonander LLC ) and Wade Watson ( Watson Bonander LLC ) in Atlanta discussed “ Putting the Fun in Dysfunctional : Perspectives on Fiduciary Litigation ,” with invaluable advice . During our webinar on February 9 , 2022 , Michael Smith ( Smith Barid LLC ) in Savannah presented “ Workflow Automation : Mindset and Methodology ,” and recommended various ways we could streamline our estate planning practices making them more efficient and profitable . Our Section was privileged to have Abbey Flaum ( Cohen Pollock Merlin Turner , PC ) in Atlanta speak at our March 9 , 2022 , webinar . Flaum ’ s topic was “ I Do , But I Don ’ t : Marital Considerations in Estate Planning ,” and she managed to make her presentation both educational and entertaining , accompanied by very helpful written materials .
We were excited to welcome Blake Melton ( Synovus Family Office ) in Columbus to our April 13 , 2022 , webinar where he discussed “ Recent Developments in Fiduciary Law .” On April 21 , 2022 , our Section will offer members a complimentary two-hour CLE Probate Judges Panel webinar featuring Judge Christopher Ballar ( Gwinnett County Probate Court ), Judge Bedelia Hargrove ( DeKalb County Probate Court ), Judge Kenya Johnson ( Fulton County Probate Court ), Judge Christina Peterson ( Douglas County Probate Court ), Judge Daisy Weeks-Marisko ( Forsyth County Probate Court ), and Judge Kelli Wolk ( Cobb County Probate Court ). The Judges will discuss the new practices and guidelines they implemented during the pandemic and give us insights on how best to comply with court procedures going forward .
The EP & P Section is pleased to announce that we will resume breakfast meetings on May 11 , 2022 . Robert Port ( Gaslowitz Frankel LLC ) in Atlanta will discuss important ethical considerations for estate planners . Finally , our Section will host a celebratory dinner in early June to thank all the great speakers who have presented to our members and esteemed sponsors who have supported us during the past few years . This event has been a long-standing Section tradition that was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic . We are more than delighted that it is on our calendar once again .
LINDA S . PACER Pacer Law LLC lindapacer @ pacerlaw . com
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The Litigation Section had a stellar first quarter with its " Back on Track Series ." In February , we had a spirited , in-depth conversation about “ Revisiting the Collateral Source Rule : Discoverability and Admissibility of Medical Funding Documents ,” with panelists from both sides of the “ v ” sharing practical and strategic advice for tackling funding issues in personal injury cases . March ’ s program with the Dispute Resolution Section , “ The Truth About Judicially Hosted Settlement Conferences ,” was timely as courts creatively work through their COVID-19 backlogs and extremely informative , with insider perspectives from the federal and state bench .
Litigation is excited to welcome Spring and resume meeting inperson in April 2022 , with a dynamic programs such as , “ Training , Forging Relationships , and Building Firm Culture with Younger Lawyers in the New Normal ,” in collaboration with the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers Section . For the safety of our members , our events will be available via live-stream for remote participation . We look forward to seeing everyone at Ansley for breakfast !
TIFFANY NICHOLS BRACEWELL Troutman Pepper tiffany . bracewell @ troutman . com
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Privacy & Cybersecurity
Privacy and Cybersecurity Section hit the ground running in 2022 , meeting with representatives and students from each of the five Georgia law schools with the goal of establishing the Student Executive Board of the Section . We will give students the opportunity to not only network with practitioners in the industry , but plan to encourage the Student Executive Board to setup and run events and panels as the section normally does . So far , we have 14 students on board who will be working closely with the Section .
Privacy and Cybersecurity Section has also planned a free CLE on Tuesday April 19 , 2022 , at 12pm covering privacy issues in blockchain technology , cryptocurrency and NFTs , which will be moderated by Andrei Tsygankov ( Founders Legal ), and will include discussions with FBI Special Agent Nathan Lagmack and Stan Sater ( Founders Legal ).
STEPHEN V . BUSH Bodker Ramsey Andrews Winograd & Wildstein , PC sbush @ brawwlaw . com
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