Managing Partner Committee
the establishment of a City Attorney assigned to assist officers
responding to inquiries and complaints and a continuing, and
effective, use of predictive law enforcement techniques.
Also discussed at the Fall meeting was the hot-button topic of
the new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons football franchise. Not
deterred by the size and scope of the project, Ms. Hampton
welcomed the opportunity to work in an
area of law, sports and athletics, which
she practiced at the National Basketball
Association prior to becoming Vice
President, General Counsel, and
Secretary of publicly-traded RARE
Hospitality International, Inc. As
any good attorney would do, Cathy
reached out to her peers for help with
a project so vital to the City and spoke
with city attorneys in various venues
where new stadiums have recently
been constructed. She, therefore, not
only increased her understanding of
the issues involved in a project of this
magnitude, but also learned the names
of the lawyers and firms with the most
relevant skill sets and expertise.
participate. Meetings are held quarterly, and topics vary.
The next meeting will be held December 18, and Justice
Harold Hines of the Georgia Supreme Court has graciously
agreed to be the speaker.
There are many ways in which the job
of City Attorney is unique, and even for
a Harvard Law graduate such as Ms.
Hampton, the challenges are daunting.
Working with the Mayor’s office to
understand and implement issues of
critical and far-reaching significance
is one such challenge. One notable
example is the work which led to
resolution of the potential budget crisis
involving City pensions and retirement
plans. Understanding the complex
goals and limitations was not only being
able to communicate those goals and
limitations to the press but also tactfully
communicating them to the public. And,
Ms. Hampton notes, since the Atlanta
Journal & Constitution has an office
in City Hall, she and her staff can be
approached and asked for comment at
any point during her busy day.
The members of the Managing Partner
Committee wish to thank Ms. Hampton
for taking the time to share her insights
and experiences with them.
The Managing Partner Committee was
formed in 2006. Managers of Atlanta
law firms who are also members of the
Atlanta Bar Association are invited to
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association
@
October 2013
THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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