Search Results for: marketing matters

The “Administrative” Stage of Estate Planning

September 22, 2015 by Garrett Ervin

Gwinnett Studio

The "Administrative" Stage of Estate Planning

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Adam Gaslowitz, Ronnie Genser, Jeff Scroggin, Craig Frankel

On this episode of “Wealth Matters”, hosts Craig Frankel and Adam Gaslowitz discuss how to anticipate and avoid issues at the “administrative” stage of estate planning with their guests Ronnie Genser and Jeff Scroggin.

Ronnie Genser/Bereavement Navigators

Prior to founding Bereavement Navigators in 2012, Ronnie Genser’s professional background included over 25 years in international and domestic sales, marketing, training, and consulting. In addition to her sales and marketing career, from 2006-2008 Ronnie served on the Board of Directors of the Lewy Body Dementia Association. As a board member and subsequent volunteer, over a five-year period (2006-2011) she created the organization’s support group network of almost 100 support groups, which spanned 36 states and the province of Ontario, Canada. This support group network continues to provide families and care givers the resources to cope with the life changes wrought by Lewy Body Dementia, an incurable, progressive disease that currently ravages 1.3 million Americans.

Ronnie’s successful career path took an unexpected turn after the sudden death of her husband, Dr. Sandy Weinberg, an Associate Professor of Healthcare Management at Clayton State University, as well as an internationally-renowned FDA Regulatory Affairs consultant to the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biologics industries. He died unexpectedly on October 8, 2011 at age 61, after complications from a heart attack, having spent two days in the ICU at Northside Hospital in Atlanta and seven days in the cardio-vascular ICU at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The things Ronnie learned about what she needed to do after Sandy’s death including how to organize the numerous and unexpected tasks, the resources she found, and the tips she learned, she now shares in her work as a Bereavement Navigator with other widows, widowers, adult children, and other relatives who have lost a loved one, in hopes that her knowledge will make this process and the journey ahead easier for them.

Because Ronnie’s experience also taught her that being well-prepared before a death is one of the greatest gifts you can give a loved one, she also works with healthy couples and individuals to prepare, or in some cases better prepare, their affairs before their own deaths. As a result, Bereavement Navigators offers them and their loved ones the priceless gift of peace-of-mind, knowing the potentially myriad tasks their loved ones will face after their death will be much easier, less time-consuming, and most importantly, less stressful.

Jeff Scroggin/Scroggin & Company, P.C.

Jeff Scroggin has practiced as a business, tax and estate planning attorney in Atlanta for 36 years. His practice Scroggin & Company, P.C. is devoted to tax planning, estate planning, business representations, business succession and sales of businesses and properties. He is co-creator of the “Family Incentive Trust” and creator of the “The Family Love Letter.” Jeff practices out of an 1883 house in the historic district of Roswell, Georgia. The building contains one of the largest collections of tax memorabilia in the US. The tax collection was featured in a front page article in the Wall Street Journal on April 15, 2015. Jeff is known for his ability to convert complex, technical information into practical, useable forms. He also hopes he is not as pompous as this bio would seem to indicate.

Jeff serves as a Member of the University of Florida Levin College of Law Board of Trustees. Jeff received the following degrees from the University of Florida: B.S.B.A. (Accounting), 1974; Juris Doctorate, 1977; Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.), 1979. Jeff has taught tax law at the University of Florida College of Law and College of Business.

Jeff is a Founding Board member of the University of Florida College of Law Tax Institute and a Founding member of the University of Florida Advisor Network. He was a CPA with Arthur Andersen’s nationwide estate planning group. He is a Nationally Accredited Estate Planner, is rated “AV” by Martindale Hubbell (since 1990) and has been named in Atlanta magazine as a Georgia “Super-Lawyer” (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015) and “Five Star Wealth Advisor” (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015). He holds a perfect 10 rating from AVVO. Jeff was Founding Editor-in-Chief of the NAEPC Journal of Estate and Tax Planning from 2006-2011 and was Co-Editor of Commerce Clearing House’s Journal of Practical Estate Planning from 2004-2006.

Jeff’s professional affiliations include: The State Bar of Georgia, the Florida Bar, American Revenues Society, American Tax Token Society, Atlanta Estate Planning Council, Buckhead Study Group, Georgia Planned Giving Council, and the North Georgia Estate Planning Council (President, 2002-2005). He was Chairman of the North Fulton Community Foundation from 2007-2009 and is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (2002-2010) where he was Co-Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee and served as Chairman of the Publications Committee. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Historic Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau ( 2004-2015), and is a member of the Roswell Rotary Club. He served as Founding Chairman of the Friends of Barrington Hall (2008-2012).

Jeff is the author of over 250 published articles and columns. He was a columnist for Advisor Today Magazine (1997-2010) and a contributing writer to National Underwriter. He has written three books and was recognized by the CFP Board of Examiners for writing one of the best planning articles for the year 2000. His website has been recommended by the Journal of Accountancy for estate planning purposes.

Jeff is a frequent speaker on business, tax and estate planning issues. He has been married for 37 years to Lynn Geiger Scroggin and has three children. His oldest son is a professional blacksmith, his daughter works as a charitable event planner & fundraiser and his youngest son is an Iraq war veteran.

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

Gaslowitz Frankel is an experienced trial practice firm specializing in all aspects of complex fiduciary litigation throughout Georgia and the Southeast. With a focus on representing individuals, companies, banks, and fiduciaries in dispute involving wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, businesses, and securities law, their experienced and highly qualified litigation attorneys have tremendous credentials and a proven history of success.

If you would like to listen to past episodes of “Wealth Matters’, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

Jeff Cunningham of Seyfarth Shaw and Dr. Robert Willis of Foxcode, Inc.

June 23, 2015 by angishields

CEO Exclusive Radio

Jeff Cunningham of Seyfarth Shaw and Dr. Robert Willis of Foxcode, Inc.

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Jeff Cunningham / Seyfarth Shaw

Mr. Cunningham, a partner in the Atlanta office of Seyfarth Shaw LLP and member of Seyfarth’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Tax practice groups, serves as outside general counsel to many growing mid-sized businesses, and concentrates his practice in mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and general corporate matters. He counsels clients—from entrepreneurs and start-ups to large privately held companies—through each phase business: choice of entity, business plan development, capital raising, equity and ownership agreements, commercial transactions, and exit strategies.

Mr. Cunningham represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, both buy-side and sell-side, as well as joint ventures and significant financing transactions. He develops strategies on both business and legal aspects of marketing, sales, negotiating transactions and relationships, and corporate governance. Mr. Cunningham advises clients on commercial financing matters and negotiates acquisition financing, private debt and equity financing, and venture capital. He works with clients across many industries including manufacturing, distribution, business and professional services, staffing, residential and commercial construction, and distribution.

In addition to business and transaction counseling, Mr. Cunningham utilizes his background in federal, state and local taxation gained while working in two of the Big Four accounting firms to provide advice on effective tax rate minimization, tax compliance, and tax optimized structuring.

Website LinkedIn

Dr. Robert Willis / Foxcode, Inc.

As the Founder & CEO of Foxcode, Robert Willis leads the company’s investment activities, advisory services, capital raising and strategic direction. He has more than 25 years of experience in industries from investment banking and finance to energy, infrastructure, telecommunications and technology.

In 2008, he led the acquisition of nsoro, LLC by MasTec, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed company. nsoro is a telecommunications services firm responsible for building and maintaining the wireless network for companies such as AT&T in the United States and India. He is senior advisor and acting President of the nsoro/MasTec division.

Prior to Foxcode, he founded Alpine Computer Systems, a network operating systems company, at the age of 15 and as the Principal Owner and Chief Executive Officer grew the company to over $35 million in revenue. Alpine was on the Inc. 500’s list of the fastest growing companies in the United States for three consecutive years before he orchestrated a $25 million strategic merger of Alpine with the Delphi Group, a UK company listed on the London Stock Exchange. As President of the IT division and CIO of the Delphi Group, he supervised the acquisition of 35 companies. He helped to orchestrate the sale of Delphi to Adecco S.A., a Fortune Global 500 company, and served as the Executive Vice President of the IT division.

In July 2004, he formed Gaming VC, an entity that he used to acquire a European online gaming company. In December 2005, under his lead, Gaming VC acquired and subsequently performed an initial public offering in the amount of $160 million on the London Stock Exchange. He served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the publicly traded company. He has since sold all of his interests in Gaming VC although the company continues to operate and trade on the London Stock Exchange.

He received an honorary Ph.D. from Newbury College and served on its board of directors. He lives in Miami and Philadelphia. He is on the board of the nsoro Foundation.

Website

Sales Influencers Radio Talk Show! Hosted by Jeff Sheehan – Buckhead Business Radio

May 30, 2015 by angishields

The Sales Influencer Radio Show broadcast LIVE from the Business Radiox Studio in Buckhead, the financial center of Atlanta, GA. The show is hosted by Jeff Sheehan, a well recognized thought leader in the world of marketing and sales. Utilizing his over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing working for and with Fortune 500, as well as many other companies, he is able to focus on the sales subject matter that really matters with discussions that are designed to enable sales management and sales personnel to up their games!

Each show features prominent individuals and influencers from the sales world who share their thoughts and experiences with the audience who are among the 325,000+ people who follow and/or interact with Jeff globally on social media.

Tune in to our LIVE stream Tuesday at 3:00 PM (EST).

Social Media Links: Linkedin | Twitter | HIREDthebook.com

Show Host: Jeff Sheehan/Sheehan Marketing Strategies

Jeff is a marketing consultant and job search mentor, as well as the volunteer director of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church Career Ministry in Atlanta.

Jeff ranks in the top 1% of people on LinkedIn and over 315,000 followers on Twitter.

He has been recognized by some as the #1 Marketer In The World To Follow On Twitter, #2 in Social Media and #1 in Sales. Ranked number 6,481 out of 554,000,000 users on Twitter, Jeff is ranked number 23rd in Atlanta right after The Weather Channel, ahead of both Diet Coke and the music group Collective South. He co-authored the book: “HIRED! Paths to Employment in the Social Media Era.”

www.SheehanMarketingStrategies.com Linkedin Twitter

On-Air Date: 08-04-15

Chris Conlin, Ryan McPherson (Producer), Jeff Sheehan (Host) — Chris Conlin (Coaches Studio) Ryan McPherson (Producer) Jeff Sheehan (Host)

Click on Photo to View Episode!

Click on Photos to View Episodes!

On-Air Date: 07-28-15

Jeff Sheehan (Host), Amy Farley, John Fitzpatrick and Kenny Zail

On-Air Date: 07-14-15

11709460_1610786322514695_7124631591861731327_n — Sales Influencers Radio 07-14-15 Hosted by Jeff Sheehan wiht Guests: Barbara Giamanco with Social Centered Selling and Rob Armstrong with InsideView

On-Air Date: 06-23-15

Sales Influencers Radio Host Jeff Sheehan and Jon Newman with True North Growth

On-Air Date: 06-16-15

11390201_1600641193529208_2019265935859533625_n — Jeff Sheehan Host of Sales Influencers Radio with Stephen Cadley with SalesXecution

On-Air Date: 06-09-15

11407032_1602545016672159_6624227599314922844_n — Dan Jourdan with Remedy Intelligent Staffing (Host: Jeff Sheehan) John Parker with Parker Promotions

GA Craft Beer Laws

May 6, 2015 by angishields

BRX National

GA Craft Beer Laws

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GroupSit — Taylor Harper, Nancy Palmer, Robert Fabrini, & Emily Rowell (Host)

Taylor Harper w/ Taylor, Feil, Harper, Lumsden & Hess, P.C.

Taylor Harper’s practice focuses primarily on regulatory compliance and litigation in the beverage-alcohol industry. Specifically, he focuses on assisting supply-tier companies, e.g., breweries, distilleries, wineries, etc., companies on the wholesale tier, and retail-tier companies, e.g., restaurants, hotels, package stores, etc., in administrative, regulatory, and litigation matters at the federal, state, and local levels.

The beverage-alcohol industry is highly regulated and governed by a complex web of laws from multiple, intersecting jurisdictions. In his regulatory compliance practice, Mr. Harper helps individuals and companies navigate this gauntlet with care, foresight, and precision to protect them from mishaps and position them for success. On the litigation side, he uses his industry expertise to achieve the best possible solution for his clients, whether through trial or negotiated resolution.

Mr. Harper has been neck-deep in the beverage-alcohol industry for the past few years, and the firm has been a leader in this practice area for nearly 40 years. He is regularly asked by government officials, legislators, and trade organizations to explain the ins and outs of the industry. He has presented at multiple conferences, such as the Annual Conference of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators and the Annual Southeastern Craft Brewers Symposium.

Mr. Harper’s beverage-alcohol practice encompasses licensing and permitting, franchise regulation (including proceedings concerning notices of intention to change wholesalers), trade practices regulation, promotions regulation (including regulation of point of sale materials and consumer specialty advertising), brand and label regulation, trademark, taxation (including excise taxes and sales-and-use taxes), importation, and related real estate, leasing, and landlord-tenant matters. The firm also handles related federal and state court litigation such as constitutional and antitrust challenges (such as Commerce Clause and Sherman Act) to the three-tier system for regulation of alcoholic beverages, and constitutional challenges to differential taxation of imported alcoholic beverages (such as Commerce Clause and Import Export Clause).

Mr. Harper also works in the firm’s construction and real estate litigation practice. On the construction side, he has experience in advising on and litigating materialman’s and mechanics’ liens, contract compliance, and construction defects, among others. On the real estate side, his practice encompasses landlord/tenant disputes, boundary/encroachment issues, and zoning matters, among others. He litigates claims arising under purchase and sale agreements, option contracts, and leases. He also handles commercial foreclosures.

“Ultimately, my goal is to give my clients more in value than I take in payment,” says Mr. Harper.

Outside of legal work, Mr. Harper serves as the Chairman and President of Maji Mazuri USA, a non-profit organization helping to alleviate poverty in the Mathare Valley slum located in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Buckhead, and is currently participating in the Leadership Buckhead Program. More than anything, though, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, daughter-on-the-way, and two labs.

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Nancy Palmer w/ Georgia Craft Brewers’ Guild

Nancy is the Executive Director of the Georgia Craft Brewers’ Guild which is the trade organization representing the craft brewers of Georgia. Founded in 2010, the Guild is organized to promote, protect and further, in every lawful manner, the common interests of the members and the licensed brewing industry in Georgia. Nancy Palmer is a perennial student of the beverage industry, having spent a decade exploring all facets of the business. Though she’s concentrated on wine for most of her career, she’s found tremendous pleasure in learning about both beer and spirits. Her favorite aspect of the business is certainly education – she enjoys making the complicated and often intimidating world of high-end beverage accessible and interesting for anyone with any background.

Nancy’s career began while working for Five Points Bottle Shop in Athens, Georgia. After graduating from the University of Georgia she worked at several establishments not only waitressing and bartending, but also conducting many wine classes at area restaurants. She then went on to become the wine buyer for Athens’ largest volume package store, Five Points Bottle Shop West. After a very successful stint there, she moved on to try her hand at the distribution side of the beverage business. She worked for Avant Partir representing the best international wine portfolio in the state and became familiar with the best restaurants and shops throughout Georgia and South Carolina.

Website Twitter Facebook

Robert Fabbrini General Manager of Red Brick Brewing Company

Robert joined the Red Brick team in January of 2010 because he desired to make a switch from the technology industry to food and beverage. There was actually no position available when he made his inquiry, but he managed to talk his way in by offering to help out with a special project. Ironically, Roberts first experience with craft beer was at a tour of Red Brick Brewing Company in the late 90s at our old midtown location. Since then, hes developed an appreciation for craft beer. Robert is a champion in Red Brick’s quarterly employee brew-off. Robert has a Marketing degree from Auburn University and a degree in Italian language from Florida State University, which he used it to sell Red Brick internationally. Red Brick was recently recognized by the Governor of GA as the 1st Georgia craft brewery to export beer.

Website Facebook Twitter IconoSquare YouTube

Intellectual Property

April 21, 2015 by angishields

BRX National

Intellectual Property

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group4 — Sonia Lakhany, Tricia Smith, Jim Johnson, & Emily Rowell (Host)

Sonia Lakhany Esq. w/ Lakhany Law, PC

Sonia Lakhany focuses her practice on trademark and copyright prosecution, as well as corporate and transactional law matters. In addition to her law practice, Sonia is an instructor at the Trademark Institute of Training, where she lectures on trademark law basics and the mechanics of trademark prosecution. Sonia also speaks and blogs regularly on intellectual property under the name “Lady Lanham, Esq” (a word play on The Lanham Act, which is the federal law that gives trademark protection in the United States). Over the course of her career, Sonia has helped numerous startups and small- and medium-sized businesses secure trademark protection for their names, logos, and taglines. Prior to founding Lakhany Law, LLC, Sonia practiced at firms in Washington, DC and Atlanta, Georgia.

Sonia stays active in the Atlanta legal community in several ways. For the Intellectual Property Section of the Georgia State Bar, she serves as Co-Chair of the Young Lawyers Division-Intellectual Property (YLD-IP) Lawyers Committee and a member of the Trademark Committee. For the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL), she serves on the Mentoring Committee and leads a monthly Breakfast Mentoring Circle. For the South Asian Bar Association of Georgia (SABA-GA), she serves as Co-Vice-President.

Sonia earned her Juris Doctorate at the Emory University School of Law, with a focus on intellectual property. As part of her Juris Doctorate program, Sonia spent her final semester at The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC completing coursework in the intellectual property LLM program and concurrently held an internship at the United States Copyright Office. She also authored an independent copyright law research paper entitled, “There’s More Than One Way to Skin the Mouse: A Comparative Analysis of Fictional Character Protection”, which won first place in the Emory Law American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Nathan Burkan Memorial Writing Competition.

Originally from Orange County, California, Sonia attended the University of Southern California, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication and her Minor in Business Administration at the Marshall School of Business.

Sonia is licensed to practice in Georgia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. She is fluent in Urdu/Hindi. In her spare time, Sonia enjoys running, hiking, and cooking.

Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

Tricia Smith w/ Focus Brands

Tricia Smith is an in-house attorney with FOCUS Brands Inc., franchisor of Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s Deli. At FOCUS, Tricia manages the trademark portfolios of all six brands and is responsible for monitoring the use of brand assets online and off, by FOCUS employees and those not associated with the brands, and handles the online enforcement of intellectual property rights when necessary. In addition, Tricia reviews and approves all marketing, advertising and PR communications for each of the six brands and is the legal point of contact for both the Global Channels Group (brand licensing) and International Franchising departments of FOCUS Brands. Tricia joined FOCUS Brands in January 2012, shortly after graduating from Georgia State University College of Law and passing the Georgia bar exam in 2011.

LinkedIn Website

Jim Johnson w/ Sutherland

Jim Johnson cut his teeth as a trademark lawyer by serving as in-house counsel for The Coca-Cola and Kellogg companies and as an examining attorney in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Now a member of Sutherland’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, Jim continues to enforce the trademarks and copyrights of some of the world’s most famous and valuable brands. His practice includes filing oppositions and lawsuits to protect high value intellectual property rights, counseling clients on how to best protect such rights, and managing international IP portfolios. He also advises on unfair competition and domain-name disputes.

Website

Peachtree Offices with 4 Atlanta Locations is your go-to company for Attorney Offices and Meeting Rooms. Contact Peachtree Offices to set up a tour of their Attorney Focused Spaces Today!

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Malcolm Evans and Sales Accent, Vlad Rusz with Sterling Rose Consulting Corp, Katie Grubbs with SuperScribe, Shevonn Willis with The Smith Willis Firm, and Vince DeSilva with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

March 27, 2015 by Garrett Ervin

Gwinnett Studio

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Malcolm Evans and Sales Accent, Vlad Rusz with Sterling Rose Consulting Corp, Katie Grubbs with SuperScribe, Shevonn Willis with The Smith Willis Firm, and Vince DeSilva with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

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Mike Sammond, Vlad Rusz, Katie Grubbs, Shevonn Willis, Malcolm Evans, Vince DeSilva

Malcolm Evans/Sales Accent

Sales Accent is Malcolm Evans. He has been in sales since he could walk. He is described as an innovative and passionate Salesman’s Salesman, an advocate for businesses and customers alike. He grew up living in a pub in rural Wales surrounded by green fields and sheep. “I have been dealing with customers since I could reach high enough to pour a pint of beer.”

Originally in engineering, he transitioned to a sales life in the 1980’s. Pagers, fax machines, CRM and 5-pound mobile phones are some of the changes he has seen. His experience covers marketing, advertising and sales management. No stranger to the global market, Malcolm came to the U.S. in 2001 while employed by one of the largest engineering companies to focus on the challenges of global selling and international business development.

Malcolm is a business owner, sales trainer, aspiring writer and speaker. He is a Jeffrey Gitomer Certified Advisor and holds his own interesting perspectives on sales, customer relations and the entrepreneurial spirit. He is a driven individual motivated by the “American Dream” where anything can be achieved.

Vlad Rusz/Sterling Rose Consulting

Sterling Rose Consulting is a Georgia based company that provides business plan creation and review, online and offline marketing, marketing plan creation and review, accounting, bookkeeping, financial analysis, operations, payroll services, Zoho CRM customization, Zoho CRM implementation, and business consulting. Their staff has over 50 years of successful entrepreneurial experience.

Sterling Rose Consulting prides itself on providing quality investor-ready documentation. They take it even one step farther and make sure, you as the client, understand how to effectively present these documents, whether they are being prepared for internal use or outside investors.

Katie Grubbs/SuperScribe

SuperScribe is an elite team of educated professionals who aim to serve local physicians in efficiently and accurately completing their electronic medical records. They strive to become a valuable personal assistant to their clients to improve their revenue capture and flow of patients through their respective departments. Their team can tailor their services to focus on all clerical needs allowing physicians to return their focus to the patients.

Shevonn Willis/The Smith Willis Firm

The Smith Willis Firm concentrates on business law. They take the time to get to know their clients and understand their clients’ business needs and goals. Using this knowledge, they are able to help clients find the right solutions that fit their particular needs. The Smith Willis Firm assists companies in matters related to business formation, as well as drafting and reviewing contracts. They also help clients understand and stay compliant with the multitude of federal and state laws that govern the workplace by providing advice on employment matters and developing company policies and procedures.

Additionally, their specialty is assisting business clients with the legal aspects and implications of insurance. They work with business clients from the beginning of the process to the end. This includes counseling clients on risk management through insurance, insurance policy review and evaluation, assessing areas of exposure, and once a claim has been filed, diligently representing clients in negotiating with insurance companies.

Vince DeSilva/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

The Gwinnett Chamber is the forum where business, government, education, healthcare, arts/culture/entertainment, and philanthropic and public service communities come together to advance the region’s economy and enrich Gwinnett’s quality of life.

Transitioning from Large Firm to Small/Solo Practice

February 24, 2015 by angishields

BRX National

Transitioning from Large Firm to Small/Solo Practice

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Anne Tyler Hamby, Tiffany Simmons, Emily Rowell (Host), Michael Wilensky, Maya Rogers — AT Hamby, T Simmons, Emily Rowell (Host), M Wilensky, M Rogers

Our Expert Guests Today Participate in a Round-table Discussion on the Topic: “Transitioning From a Large Firm to a Small/Solo Practice.”

Maya Simmons Rogers w/ Simmons Rogers, LLC.

Maya Simmons Rogers is the Managing Partner of Simmons Rogers, LLC. Mrs. Rogers attended Florida A&M University and interned with several Fortune 500 companies including Southern Company – Georgia Power, Procter & Gamble, and Ernst and Young during her tenure. After graduating from Florida A&M with both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, Mrs. Rogers moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to attend law school. During law school, Mrs. Rogers was very active on campus and served in several elected and appointed leadership positions. While attending the University of Michigan Law School, Mrs. Rogers also had the opportunity to extern with the South African Human Rights Commission in Cape Town.

Following her externship, Mrs. Rogers went to work in the ERISA Litigation group at Alston & Bird, LLP. During her time at Alston & Bird, Mrs. Rogers gained extensive experience representing numerous Fortune 500 employers and defending large national insurance companies against claims for denied health, disability (short and long term), and life insurance benefits.

After leaving Alston & Bird, but prior to founding Simmons Rogers, LLC, Mrs. Rogers was able to gain extensive experience serving as outside general counsel to a number of businesses in varying stages from startups to mid-sized multi-million dollar companies. In this capacity, Mrs. Rogers had the opportunity to represent entrepreneurs and business executives in a wide variety of transactions and industries. From selecting the most appropriate business entity, negotiating the purchase of a new business, to contract review and negotiation, patent prosecution, and copyright and trademark registration and licensing. Mrs. Rogers has also had the opportunity to assist clients with developing various employment agreements, creating company policies and handbooks, hiring and terminating employees, and negotiating severance packages for employees and high level executives. Moreover, Mrs. Rogers has also represented her clients in numerous litigation matters, mediations, and arbitrations.

Additionally, Mrs. Rogers had the opportunity to assist her business clients and others with more personal matters. Mrs. Rogers has helped entrepreneurs and other clients plan for the end of life as well as possible incapacitation. Mrs. Rogers has also helped her clients navigate life-changing events ranging from adoption, pre-nuptial agreements, to child support, divorce, and tragic accidents.

While practicing law is time consuming, Mrs. Rogers has always found time to give back. She has served on the executive board of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, a bar association of more than 600 judges, lawyers, and law students; participated with Everybody Wins Power Lunch Reading Program, Project SALUTE, Georgia Appleseed’s Heir Property Project, and completed countless hours of pro bono legal services throughout her career. Mrs. Rogers served on the Board of Directors for the Refugee Women’s Network for four years and was also the Board Treasurer. She currently teaches Business Law and Ethics courses at a national university in the metro-Atlanta area.

Mrs. Rogers is a native of Albany, Georgia who relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to practice law. Mrs. Rogers believes deeply that practicing law is a way for her to help people and to help make the world a better place.

Contact Information:

Direct Dial: 404-445-8260

Fax: 404-445-8226

mrogers@simmonsrogerslaw.com

Education:

J.D., University of Michigan Law School

M.B.A., Florida A&M University,summa cum laude

B.S. Business Administration with concentration in Accounting, Florida A&M University, summa cum laude

Admitted to Practice:

Georgia

11th Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
Georgia Supreme Court
Georgia Court of Appeals
All Georgia Trial Courts

Professional Memberships:

Georgia State Bar

Georgia Association Black Women Attorneys – 2011 Membership Chair

Community Involvement:

New Leaders Council

Refugee Women’s Network – Board Member and Board Treasurer – 2010-2014

Website LinkedIn Facebook

Michael S. Wilensky, Partner w/ Slater & Wilensky, LLC

With over 40 years of combined legal experience, Michael Wilensky of Slater & Wilensky using thier knowledge, skill and work ethic have helped thousands of injury victims and injury victim’s family’s obtain settlements and verdicts. Michael Wilensky is recognized as an experienced and committed advocate and litigator by insurance companies, defense attorneys, and judges. He has been continuously recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as a Georgia Legal Elite.

Email: mwilensky@ga-legalteam.com

Practice Areas

Wrongful Death Claims
Injuries to Children
Personal & Serious Injury
Serious Auto Collisions
Motorcycle Collisions
Tractor-Trailer Collisions
Boat Collisions
Bicycle/Pedestrian v. Car Collisions
Slip & Fall / Premises Wrongful Death
Medical Negligence
Nursing Home Negligence
Wrongful Prescriptions

Education

University of Maryland School of Law, J.D.
University of Georgia, B.A.

Admissions

Georgia State Courts
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
Pro Hac Vice Admission in Florida

Awards

Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine, 2013, 2014

Pro Bono Work

Georgia Legal Services

Professional Memberships/Activities

State Bar of Georgia
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Legislative Committee
American Association for Justice
Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Group
Atlanta Bar Association
Anti-Defamation League Glass Leadership Institute
Physicians’ Care Clinic Past Board Member (www.physicianscareclinic.org)

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Tiffany M. Simmons, Simmons Law

Tiffany M. Simmons is an attorney and media personality dedicated to being a relentless advocate for her community. She is managing partner at Simmons Law, a law firm in Atlanta, Georgia, which focuses on criminal defense, business law, and entertainment. She represents celebrities, businesses, and the everyday citizen. Most recently, she successfully secured acquittals in the trial (and multiple re-trials) of Lula Smart and the Quitman 12, a group of minority political activists unfairly accused of voter fraud in the Brooks County, Georgia election in late 2013. Tiffany was also a part of the litigation team for a case that appeared on CNBCs American Greed, a weekly, true crime television documentary series. Simmons has been honored with the Client Distinction Award in both 2013 and 2014 from Martindale-Hubbell for being in the top one percent of her profession.

A distinguished leader in the community, Simmons has served on the board of several organizations with a mission to provide greater access to healthcare and provide resources for the welfare and education of children. In July 2014, Tiffany instituted the “Simmons Law Memorial Scholarship”, an academic scholarship in honor of her grandparents, for the benefit of Michigan high school seniors. Simmons’ likable personality and passionate advocacy has landed her on TV, radio, and in print. She has appeared on media programs, including CNN’s HLN After Dark, as well as talk and radio shows. Simmons is a published author writing for the American Bar Association and other publications. She is also a

speaker, pushing her series, “More Than Just A Pretty Face”, to empower women – young and old – to be freed from labels and perspectives that keep them from realizing their dreams. She appeared on Atlanta Legal Experts Radio last year. You can view her interview here: Tiffany Simmons

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Anne Tyler Hamby w/ Hamby Benefits Law, LLC

Prior to forming Hamby Benefits Law, LLC, Anne Tyler Hamby (“Anne Tyler”) practiced employee benefits law with Alston & Bird LLP and King & Spalding LLP, two of Atlanta’s largest law firms. She earned a Master of Laws in Taxation, with distinction, from Georgetown University Law Center and her Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. Anne Tyler earned a Master of Science in International Development from the University of Bath. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics, magna cum laude, from Birmingham-Southern College.

Representative Case/Client

Multinational telecommunications company with Atlanta subsidiary
Led negotiation of a reduction of more than 80 percent of the original 401(k) retirement plan penalty assessment by the Department of Labor.
Staffing company, Atlanta, GA and Alpharetta, GA
Prepared templates, policies and procedures for determination of full-time employee and variable hour employee status under the Affordable Care Act (to assist with defense in the event of a DOL audit).
Community bank, Manchester, GA
Advised on Code Section 409A issues related to a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP), which prevented a compliance error that would have cost the client more than $100,000.
Multinational company with San Diego, CA subsidiary
Reviewed purchase agreement and advised parent company of its ERISA obligations with respect to provision of long-term disability benefits to a legacy employee of a recently acquired subsidiary.
Closely held concrete company, Alpharetta, GA
Drafted Section 162 executive bonus plan agreements; prepared DOL top hat plan filing.
Vision clinic with offices throughout Atlanta
Advised on design and legal requirements for cash-out option alternative under its Section 125 cafeteria plan.
Marketing company in Roswell, GA
Prepared and filed IRS 401(k) plan correction for plan loan errors.

Anne Tyler was the featured speaker at a fiduciary training seminar in November 2014. She was the moderator for “Fiduciary Bootcamp: Department of Labor Update” at the Southern Employee Benefits Conference in September 2014 with speaker Robert Lewis, Regional Counsel for ERISA and Employee Benefits at the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Solicitor. She also spoke to a group of small business owners on “Retirement Plans: Washington Update” in September 2014. Anne Tyler spoke to the Community Bankers Association of Georgia on same sex spousal benefits and compliance issues in August 2014. Anne Tyler spoke to the Kettering Executive Network (KEN) Banking, Finance & Investment Group in June 2014 on employee benefit plan legal compliance issues. Anne Tyler spoke to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce CEO Roundtable in April 2014 on health care reform legal updates. She spoke to the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance in March 2014 on employee benefits legal updates. In February 2014, Anne Tyler spoke to the Cetera Financial Advisors on retirement plan legal updates. Anne Tyler spoke to a group of employee benefits consultants and brokers in December 2013 on health care reform and risk mitigation.

Anne Tyler regularly speaks at employer “Lunch and Learns” on various employee benefit topics. Please contact Anne Tyler if you are interested in a speaker to discuss an employee benefits or executive compensation issue.

In her spare time, Anne Tyler enjoys running and biking. She completed her first marathon in 2010 and completed her first triathlon in fall 2013.

Professional Associations and Memberships

Georgia State Bar, Employee Benefits Section
Farrah Law Society, Board of Trustees
Worldwide Employee Benefits, Atlanta Chapter, Steering Committee
OnBoard, Membership Committee
Southern Employee Benefits Conference
Society for Human Resource Management, Atlanta Chapter
Living Tree Charities, Board of Directors
Georgia Association for Women Lawyers
Association for Corporate Growth

Practice Areas Include:

Alumni News

“Alumni News,” Connection, King & Spalding Alumni Newsletter, Fall 2014

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Trust Planning Issues Concerning Special Need Individuals

January 28, 2015 by Garrett Ervin

Gwinnett Studio

Trust Planning Issues Concerning Special Need Individuals

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Craig Frankel, Kristen Lewis, Fontaine Lee, Kathy Keeley, Adam Gaslowitz

On this episode of “Wealth Matters“, attorneys Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel discuss issues concerning special needs individuals with guests Kristen Lewis, an expert on special needs trust planning; Kathy Keeley, the Executive Director of All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD); and Fontaine Lee, Vice President of Cumberland Trust.

The panel will discuss information relating to special needs trust planning and helping families understand their individual roles in a special needs trust.

Kristen Lewis/Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP

Kristen M. Lewis practices law in Atlanta, GA with Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and is a nationally recognized expert on “Special Needs Trust” planning for persons challenged by disabilities. She is an active member of the Special Needs Alliance, the Academy of Special Needs Planners, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association, the New York Bar Association Elder Law Section, the State Bar of Georgia Fiduciary Law Section, and the Georgia Planned Giving Council. She recently completed her tenure as Co-Chair of the Long-Term Care, Medicaid and Special Needs Trusts Committee of the Elder Law, Disability Planning and Bioethics Group of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the ABA. In her free time, she trains certified service dogs for Canine Assistants based in Milton, GA.

Ms. Lewis received her B.A. degree in French and political science, with highest honors, from Wellesley College in 1981. She earned her J.D. degree from Cornell Law School in 1984. She is admitted to practice law in both New York and Georgia.

Ms. Lewis co-authored an article entitled “Top 15 Tips for Estate Planners When Planning for Special Needs”, published in Probate & Property, Volume 24, Number 2, March/April 2010, which won the magazine’s 2010 Excellence in Writing Award for “Best Overall Article – Trusts & Estates”. She most recently authored an article entitled “The Crime of the 21^st Century: Financial Abuse of Elders” which was published in Probate & Property, Volume 28, Number 4, July/August 2014.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kristen-lewis/22/901/32

Company LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/27889

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sgrlaw

Kathy Keeley/All About Developmental Disabilities

Kathy Keeley is the Executive Director of All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) which focuses on creating a meaningful life for individuals with developmental disabilities through family support, employment and community engagement. Prior to joining AADD, she had her own consulting firm providing strategic planning and business planning to large cities and nonprofits throughout the U.S. She is a social entrepreneur having started the first loan fund for women-owned businesses in the U.S. and the first micro-enterprise association of lenders. She is the former Chief of Staff for a Mayor, launched the Calvert Foundation, and provided technical assistance in nearly 30 counties on economic and business development. Keeley came to AADD to jump off Delta flights and make an impact in her home community with a focus on restructuring one of the longest serving nonprofits focused on developmental disabilities in Georgia.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllAboutDevelopmentalDisabilities

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AADDorg

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aadd

Fontaine Lee/Cumberland Trust & Investment Company

Fontaine Lee is currently the Vice President and Business Development Officer with Cumberland Trust & Investment Company, an independent trust company with headquarters in Nashville, TN. She opened the Atlanta office for Cumberland in the Fall of 2010 and is responsible for business development in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. Fontaine began her career at Citigroup in Institutional Fixed Income Sales and Trading where she focused on tax-exempt offerings. After receiving her M.B.A from Emory University, she transitioned from capital markets into private wealth management. Since that time, she has held business development roles at Atlanta-based Reliance Trust and with a multi-family office. Fontaine also spent two years at the Coca-Cola Company working in marketing research.

A native of Atlanta, Fontaine is actively involved with the Atlanta Vanderbilt Club and is a graduate of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation Destiny Fund program, and co-authored the L.E.A.D. program for Leadership Atlanta. She sits on the board for the Agape You and Family Center and is on the Marketing and Development Committee for Whitefoord, Inc. She has also served as a board member for Executive Women of Goizueta, the women’s alumni organization for the Goizueta Business School. In addition to her M.B.A., Fontaine has a B.A. from Vanderbilt University.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/fontaine-mcdaniel-lee/0/381/1a9

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

Gaslowitz Frankel LLC is an experienced trial practice firm specializing in all aspects of complex fiduciary litigation, representing individuals, companies, banks, and fiduciaries in will, trust, and estate disputes; investor and financial advisor disputes; shareholder/partnership disputes; contract disputes; complex commercial disputes; and appeals.

If you would like to listen to past episode of Wealth Matters please visit our YouTube Channel.

Remember to tune in the last Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. to listen live to our show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

Yasmine Jandali with Starwood Business Group, Noah Pines with Ross & Pines and Mike Gifford with National Business Chamber of Greater Gwinnett

December 3, 2014 by Garrett Ervin

Silver Lining in the Cloud

Yasmine Jandali with Starwood Business Group, Noah Pines with Ross & Pines and Mike Gifford with National Business Chamber of Greater Gwinnett

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Dom Rainey, Yasmine Jandali, Noah Pines, Mike Griffin — Dom Rainey, Yasmine Jandali, Noah Pines, Mike Gifford

Yasmine Jandali/Starwood Business Group

Since 2005, the professional brokers at Starwood Business Group have been helping Metro Atlanta entrepreneurs achieve their goals of business ownership. They represent quality businesses of all sizes and in all industries, and are proud to say that the majority of their businesses sell for an average of 95% of the asking price and within 162 days of listing. Starwood Business Group offers free, no-obligation valuations to prospective sellers and will always strive to help you make the best decisions for you and your business.

Noah Pines/Ross & Pines, LLC

Ross & Pines, LLC is a preeminent AV rated law firm that handles Personal Injury, Criminal Defense and Immigration matters in the greater Atlanta area. With five attorneys, who are all seasoned trial lawyers, they are able to offer our clients dedicated, personal service, while at the same time handling their cases with courtroom experience and resources that typically only comes by hiring a “big” firm. You will not find another law firm in Atlanta that is able to offer the level of service that they provide with the level of experience that they possess.

Mike Gifford/National Business Chamber of Greater Gwinnett

The National Business Chamber of Greater Gwinnett is a local chamber of commerce built on the Business To Consumer model. While they offer the traditional networking and educational opportunities of a chamber, they also employ innovative, hands-on marketing methods that are designed to bring customers to their member businesses.