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Entertainment Law

June 30, 2015 by angishields

BRX National

Entertainment Law

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John Seay, Stacy Ehrisman, Ryan Locke, & Emily Rowell (Host)

John Seay w/ The Seay Firm

John Seay is an entertainment, intellectual property, and business lawyer, and the founder and principal of The Seay Firm LLC, a law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Goat Farm Arts Center. As an artist himself, John has over a decade of experience as a musician, tour manager, and writer. John is also Of Counsel in the entertainment and media practice group in the Nashville, Tennessee, office of Loeb & Loeb, one the largest and most comprehensive entertainment and media practice groups in the world.

Before founding The Seay Firm LLC, John worked for Turner Broadcasting and drafted and negotiated licensing agreements during his tenures in the legal departments of a Fortune 15 healthcare technology company and the University of Georgia Research Foundation. John is on the Board of Directors of #weloveatl and is a member of The Recording Academy. He is rated as a “Superb” Top Attorney – with a rating of 10.0 – in the field of Entertainment Law by Avvo and currently serves as a volunteer attorney at Georgia Lawyers for the Arts.

John has been quoted in matters relating to entertainment law on or in Pitchfork.com, CBS Radio, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, WSB-TV Channel 2, the Daily Report, the 2016 Songwriter’s Market, and Flagpole Magazine, among others, and has served as a panelist at numerous conferences, including the 2014 ICLE Entertainment Law Institute, the Future Music Attorneys, and the 2013 Protect Athens Music Conference in Athens, GA, about which he was also interviewed in Flagpole Magazine. John has written about his pro bono work in the Fulton County Daily Report. John is a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served as Executive Articles Editor of the Journal of Intellectual Property Law and President of The Sports & Entertainment Law Society. John, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter Edie, live in Decatur, GA. Follow John on Twitter: @TheSeayFirmLLC.

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Stacy Ehrisman-Mickle w/ The Ehrisman Law Firm, P.C.

Attorney Stacy M. Ehrisman-Mickle was born and raised in the state of Iowa. She graduated from English Valleys High School, a small, rural school with a class of approximately 30 people. Stacy went on to attend the University of Iowa where she received her B.A. and graduated with highest distinction in December of 2005. She studied Political Science, International Studies and Japanese Language and Literature. Stacy immediately went to law school at the University of Iowa College of Law. She wrote for the international law journal, Transnational Problems and Contemporary Issues, as well as competed in moot court. During law school, Stacy completed an internship with a law firm in Madrid, Spain. She later worked as an assistant county attorney in the Henry County Attorney’s Office. Upon graduation, Stacy received the Boyd Service Award for her dedication to community service throughout law school.

After graduation in 2008, Stacy pursued her career in immigration law. She began working for an immigration firm in Marietta, Georgia. She was soon transferred to Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee to practice litigation-based immigration law. In 2010, Stacy found herself in New York City practicing all areas of removal defense and family-based immigration law. In 2013, she decided to open her own firm in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Stacy finds gratification in her practice as an immigration attorney. “I truly believe that I am fulfilling my unique purpose in life through my service to the immigrant community,” she explains.

Stacy speaks Spanish.

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Ryan Locke w/ Locke Law Firm, LLC.

I’m a trial lawyer. I went to law school–and started my own firm–because I love thinking strategically about tough problems, writing elegantly and effectively, and standing up in front of people to argue my case. I’ve spend hundreds of hours in the courtroom and thousands of hours outside representing my clients to the best outcomes possible. The results speak for themselves.

I also represent immigrants. Right after law school, I lived in Mexico and represented refugees and asylum-seekers with the South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project. Today, I mostly represent immigrants getting married to citizens or spouses seeking work authorization.

I live in East Atlanta with my wife, two small children, and one medium-sized dog. I cook a lot, brew beer, and blast Spotify at the office. Our official drink is Diet Dr. Pepper and our official brewery this summer is Creature Comforts from Athens, Georgia.

If you need a lawyer, give me a call.

Notable Accomplishments

PROFESSIONAL

I am an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law for the Kessler-Eidson Program for Trial Techniques, seven days of intensive workshops on trial techniques for all second-year students.

I was selected for The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Top 40 under 40. Membership is by invitation only. I am also AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and rated 10/10 by Avvo–the highest ratings for both organizations.

After law school, I worked for the Public Defender for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, the largest (and best!) office in Georgia. I spent most of my time in the juvenile court and I’m a member of the State Bar’s Juvenile Law Committee. The Georgia Public Defender Standards Council continues to appoint me to represent children in this court.

I was selected by the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to attend the 13th Bill Daniel Trial Advocacy Program in Athens, Georgia.

I am widely involved in the legal community, holding membership in the Atlanta Bar Association, the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Federal Bar Association, and the Georgia Trial Lawyer’s Association.

I am admitted in all state trial and appellate courts in Georgia; for the federal courts, I am admitted in the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

COMMUNITY

I perform a significant amount of pro bono work. I have performed free work for people harassed by junk debt collectors, tenants wrongfully evicted from their homes, the International Community School, Occupy protesters arrested during peaceful protests, and federal prisoners seeking clemency from unreasonable drug sentences with Clemency Project 2014. I also work closely with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta.

I hold the record for the largest verdict obtained for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.

I coach Southwest DeKalb High School‘s mock trial team.

I am a board member at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church and the East Atlanta Charter School.

I am an Eagle Scout from Troop 993 in Severna Park, Maryland. I was even a camp counselor in the summer and can start a fire with a battery and steel wool (but my morse code and flag semaphore are pretty rusty).

LAW SCHOOL

I graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law, where I competed with our mock trial team and coached a team my third year. I was a pupil in the Joseph Henry Lumpkin Inn of Court.

I also was an editor for the Journal of Intellectual Property Law and published my student note about the constitutionality of laches barring a copyright infringement claim within the statute of limitations in the Buffalo Intellectual Property Law Journal in 2009. The Supreme Court of the United States agreed with me when they decided this issue in Petrella v. MGM, 572 U.S. ___ (2014).

At graduation, I was one of ten students inducted into The Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oral advocacy. I also was awarded the class award for “Outstanding Achievement in Socratic method–Member of the class whose performance in Socratic dialogue entertained us the most.” The first award is more prestigious than the second.

During law school I worked in a variety of clinics and internships. The highlights include working in UGA’s Special Education Clinic and Family Violence Clinic, and interning with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and the South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project.

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Workers’ Compensation Law & More

June 9, 2015 by angishields

BRX National

Workers' Compensation Law & More

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E Rowell, M Moebes, D Scott, N Hartman, E McBurney, & M Friedman

Michael Friedman w/ Law Office of Michael H. Friedman, LLC.

A licensed attorney since 1992, Michael H. Friedman has been practicing exclusively in the area of Workers’ Compensation law since 1993. Mr. Friedman has devoted the first 20 years of his practice representing employers and insurance companies, and began representing the injured workers of Georgia in 2011. His past experience representing insurance companies gives him a unique perspective and successful approach to representing injured employees, and sets him apart as an advocate for Georgia workers. Michael Friedman practices all over Georgia and is experienced in handling all types of cases and injuries.

Attorney Michael H Friedman has tried over 100 cases before the administrative law judges at the State Board of Workers Compensation, and has handled appeals to the Appellate Division, the superior courts, and the Georgia State Court of Appeals.

Areas of Practice

100% Workers Compensation

Litigation Percentage

100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

Georgia, 1992
U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 1993
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1993

Education

Georgia State University College of Law, Atlanta, Georgia
- J.D. – 1992
Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
- B.S. – 1988

Professional Associations and Memberships

State Bar of Georgia, Member, 1992 – Present
State Bar of Georgia, Workers’ Compensation Section, Member, 1993 – Present

Pro Bono Activities

Georgia High School Mock Trial, 1992 – Present

Website Atlanta Law Service GA Workers’ Comp Law LinkedIn

Emily McBurney w/ Kegel McBurney, LLC.

For more than a decade, Emily’s law practice has been primarily devoted to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (“QDROs”) and other retirement benefit matters. Prior to forming Kegel McBurney LLC in 2012, Emily was a shareholder at the Atlanta law firm of Davis, Matthews, & Quigley, P.C.

Emily is a recognized expert in the field of QDROs, and provides QDRO preparation and consultation services for clients across the country. She is a popular speaker, and is frequently invited to lecture on this subject by legal and professional organizations nationwide. Emily has published numerous articles and contributed to various publications about QDROs. She also writes a QDRO blog for the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emily-w-mcburney/).

Emily is a member of both the Family Law and Employee Benefits Sections of the State Bar of Georgia and the Family Law section of the Atlanta Bar Association. She is a member of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, Women In Pensions, and a Barrister in the Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law Inn of Court. Emily served as the Staff Attorney to the Honorable Cynthia D. Wright during the inaugural term of the Family Division of the Fulton County Superior Court in 1998. Emily also served as a Staff Attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit.

Emily graduated, magna cum laude, from Brown University with a B.A. in 1990 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received her law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1995. Emily was raised in New Rochelle, New York.

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Nathan A. Hartman w/ Hartman Private Law, LLC.

Nathan Hartman, a resident of the Atlanta community for 16 years, is the principal of Hartman Private Law. Mr. Hartman attended Emory University College, Candler School of Theology, and the Emory School of Law. His professional life has been complimented by service as an Elder of Emory Presbyterian Church, founder of the law school’s E.A.G.L.E. orientation program, and as owner of Alexander Antiques. He very much enjoys the opportunity of sharing what he has learned through his deep commitment to the law and to the community. He invites you to contact him if you or someone you love does not yet have a Will or needs any of the services of a Trusts and Estates attorney.

Website LinkedIn Special Needs Trust Article

Debra Donaldson Scott w/ Vining Financial Services, Inc.

Debra Donaldson Scott is an independent financial planner working at Vining Financial Services, Inc., a full service financial planning firm offering securities through Triad Advisors, Inc., and clearing services through National Financial Services. Debra is a native of Georgia who grew up on a working family farm, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia, a Paralegal Certification from the National Center of Paralegal Training, and completed the Certified Financial Planning Program from the University of Georgia. Her informal education through personal life experiences has been as valuable as her formal education to assist in understanding her clients’ concerns and struggles financially. She worked in the metropolitan Atlanta area as a corporate and litigation paralegal for 17 years then obtained her insurance and securities licenses while working for an insurance company in 2000. Debra worked for Wachovia Bank as an officer and financial specialist until 2007 and currently has clients ranging from young professionals to the elderly, small business owners and families. Due to her background with corporate clients and litigation, Debra’s specialties are small business planning and structured settlements. However, she has a soft spot for working with women who find themselves solely responsible for the finances of their businesses or families due to circumstances they did not anticipate such as divorce. Debra enjoys teaching clients the fundamentals of planning for immediate, short term and long term financial goals and covers cash flow analysis, risk management, and investment planning including preparing for retirement, college and windfalls such as awards from lawsuits and inheritances.

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Michael Moebes w/ Moebes Law, LLC.

Michael Moebes began his professional career as a client representative with IBM before resigning to attend law school at Georgia State University in Atlanta. He spent three years representing employers and insurers at the insurance defense law firm of Drew, Eckl & Farnham in midtown Atlanta before joining the legal team at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company for two years. These five years taught him how insurers evaluate injury claims in terms of validity and financial exposure in addition to teaching him about the nuances of practicing injury law throughout the great state of Georgia.

In 2009, Mr. Moebes started Moebes Law, LLC and has passionately represented the injured ever since. In fact, he has recovered millions of dollars and won the right to countless medical procedures in the course of his representation of injured workers and veterans since starting his firm. He is active in the National Organization for Veterans’ Advocates, the Workers Injury Law and Advocacy Group, and numerous local and national bar organizations.

Mr. Moebes has been named a “Rising Star” by the Georgia “Super Lawyers” organization, an honor given to 2.5% of attorneys in their practice field as voted upon by their peers. He has also been named among the “Legal Elite” by GeorgiaTrend magazine. He has lectured at the Georgia Trial Lawyers annual convention, the “Fundamentals of Law Practice” course at Georgia State University College of Law, and the “National Return to Work Week” radio show.

When not practicing law, Lieutenant Colonel Moebes serves as a Medical Service Corps officer with the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He has deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom: twice to Balad Air Base, Iraq and once to Andrews AFB, Maryland. In the course of his decorated military service, he has facilitated the aeromedical evacuation of thousands of wounded warriors, and he participated in the Jessica Lynch rescue mission in 2003.

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Hold your Workers Compensation Depositions, client consultations, and Meditations in professional and neutral Atlanta Conference Rooms. Peachtree Offices offers 30+ rooms across metro-Atlanta for attorneys.

The Hybrid Future of Lawyer Marketing

May 26, 2015 by angishields

BRX National

The Hybrid Future of Lawyer Marketing

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Atlanta Legal Experts Radio presents:

Nothing You’ve Ever Seen: The Hybrid Future of Lawyer Marketing

Our guests today included Randy Kessler, Alvaro Arauz, Soo Hong, and Bruce Hagen discussing our upcoming event. Randy and Alvaro will be presenting at this 1-hour marketing seminar given from two national perspectives in a never-before-seen format: a lawyer and a law firm consultant having a dialogue on what works and doesn’t work for marketing in the evolving legal landscape. The unique insights leave attorneys with another hour to network with the lessons that they can implement in their own practice.

Enjoy the incredible view of Atlanta from the 49th floor at the Commerce Club for a networking happy hour sponsored by The State Bar of Georgia’s YLD Affiliates Solo-Small Firm Committee and Peachtree Offices. Complimentary drinks and hors-d’oeuvres will be provided during the course of the evening. More details and registration page CLICK HERE

GroupSit — E Rowell, S Hong, B Hagen, R Kessler, & A Arauz

Alvaro A. Arauz w/ 3a Law Practice Management

“We challenge ourselves with complex assignments of all kinds – it requires us to constantly evolve, which in turn allows us to give better advice. If you’re a brave attorney putting up your own shingle, a small firm adding more associates and staff, or a mid-size firm that needs infrastructure re-engineering, we can help. We promote progress through productivity. It’s about results, not effort.”

In 1997, Alvaro began helping lawyers by teaching them how to achieve the holy grail of greater profits for less work. Now, Alvaro’s clients ask for his counsel in every facet of their business growth.

He believes lawyers should do two things: represent clients and foster new clients. Anything that takes them away from that needs to be delegated. He also believes law firms should inherit the two do-wells: Do Well By The Client & Do Well By The Employee. To do so, his clients receive a comprehensive and streamlined set of solutions organized and funneled through a central database. This lets attorneys spend less time on administration details or capturing time and more emphasis on clients or at home.

These days he shares his knowledge by speaking at frequent CLE seminars, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Annual Conference on Law Practice Management or at solo practitioner boot camps. Fluent in Spanish, he can assist Latin American attorneys here and other countries. Aside from helping many of Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia’s Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, he is proud to claim top tier lawyers recognized globally by Chambers, 7 of the Top 100 Georgia Super Lawyers and 3 of US News Best Law Firms in America as clients. They are also frequent experts on CNN and other national news sources.

When not saving lawyers from inefficiencies, Alvaro would rather spend time with his loved ones, helping his home community or expanding his photography portfolio by traveling around the world. His literature studies in Cambridge, England and creative writing degree allowed him to teach graduate students and help start a screenwriting program at USF in Tampa. He also contributes his time serving on four operating boards of non-profit organizations here in Atlanta and in his hometown of San Francisco.

“I teach my kids they have to give forward to receive. If I don’t lead by example, my kids – much less clients – will pay me no mind.”

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Soo Hong w/ Blevins & Hong, PC

Soo has helped hundreds of clients with their financial hardship by zealously representing them and advising them with the best options to rebuild their credit. She has represented clients from simple Chapter 7 cases to complex business Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. Soo has helped many small business clients save their business while getting rid of their debt and rebuilding their credit. Soo has also aggressively and successfully represented many clients in Adversary Proceeding cases. Soo prides herself in being able to provide strong personal relationships to her clients. She understands the importance of the tough issues and decisions that her clients are facing and is available for her clients through each step. She finds that the most important aspect of her role as an attorney is to always be available to answer any questions or concerns of her clients. Soo has also represented clients in traffic and DUI Court. She has completed training with NHTSA’s DUI Detection and Field Sobriety Testing as well as training in Intoxilyzer 5000EN. Soo also serves as a bankruptcy instructor at Chattahoochee Technical College. Soo was born in Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to the United States at the age of 10. She is fluent in Korean and is grateful that she is also able to help the Korean community in Georgia.

Education:

• J.D. at Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law, 2008

• B.S. at Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003

Training

• Field Sobriety Testing and DUI Detection

• Intoxilyzer 5000EN, understanding the instrument and interpreting the results presented by Forensic Alcohol Consulting and Training, LLC

Professional Memberships:

• State Bar of Georgia

• Atlanta Bar Association

• Cobb Bar Association

• Cobb County Bar Association’s Younger Lawyers Division – Treasurer

• Metro Atlanta Consumer Bankruptcy Association Group (MACBAG)

• National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA)

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)

• National College for DUI Defense

• Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA)

• Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL)

Bar Memberships:

• Georgia Supreme Court• Georgia Court of Appeals

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia

• All Superior, State Magistrate, Probate, Juvenile, and Municipal Courts of Georgia.

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Bruce A. Hagen w/ Hagen Law, P.C.

Bruce A. Hagen has represented clients since 1986 in a variety of personal injury matters. He has handled more than 6,000 personal injury cases for more than 10,000 clients. Some of the issues he handles include wrongful death, auto accidents, bicycle wrecks, bus accidents, cases involving brain injury or drunk driving, slip and falls, products liability, and related litigation and appeals.

Mr. Hagen has appeared on television and radio to discuss personal injury law, and has been the featured speaker at dozens of legal seminars, including the recent seminar “Trying the Soft Tissue Injury Case in Georgia.” He is a frequent guest on 680 The Fan and a regular contributor on both Atlanta Eats TV and Atlanta Eats Radio.

Bruce has a particular expertise and passion for personal injury cases on behalf of injured bicyclist. As a cyclist himself, Bruce is both committed to advocacy for bike safety and education while equally committed to obtaining justice for cyclists that are injured due to drivers’ negligence. Bruce recently become part of Bikelaw.Com, a national network of lawyers who both advocate for cyclists rights and represent injured bicyclists. Bruce and his mentor, Ken Rosskopf are frequent sponsors of various events within the cycling community.

In addition, Mr. Hagen belongs to the Atlanta and DeKalb County Bar Associations, the State Bar of Georgia and the American Association for Justice. He also is a member of Georgia Personal Injury.com and a Champion member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Hagen has served as President of the Sandy Springs Youth Football and Cheerleading Association, and as President of the North Springs High School Athletic Association. For 9 years, Bruce was “The Voice of North Springs Football” until he recently retired from his announcing duties.

A graduate of the University of Florida, Mr. Hagen earned his Juris Doctor from George Washington University. He is admitted to practice in the courts of Georgia, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.

Areas of Practice:

Wrongful Death
Auto Accidents
Bicycle Crashes
Bus Accidents
Brain Injury
Drunk Driving Accidents
Slip and Falls
Products Liability
Litigation & Appeals

Bar Admissions:

Georgia
U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

Education:

George Washington University National Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia
University of Florida

Classes/Seminars Taught:

Plaintiff’s Personal Injury: Practice Tips and Application, National Business Institute
Speaker, “Trying the Soft Tissue Injury Case in Georgia”
Guest, “Layman’s Lawyer”

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Atlanta Bar Association
DeKalb County Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia
American Association for Justice
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Georgia Personal Injury.com
Sandy Springs Youth Football and Cheerleading Association

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Randall Kessler, Kessler & Solomiany, LLC.

Founding partner of the 13 lawyer, Atlanta family law firm – KS Family Law.

Practiced family law for over 25 years.

Frequently represents high profile individuals, particularly Athletes and Entertainers.

Former Chair of the Family Law Sections of the American Bar Association, GA Bar and Atlanta Bar.

Authored Family Law books including:

Divorce: Protect Yourself, Your Kids and Your Future (www.divorceprotect.com).

Georgia Library of Family Law Forms.

Has taught the Domestic Relations course at John Marshall Law School in Atlanta since 2005.

Editor of NEXT Magazine, a magazine to help people survive divorce (see it online at www.nextdivorce.com).

Editor Emeritus of the Family Law Review, the official magazine of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of GA.

Media: Often quoted in the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, People Magazine, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated.

Guest commentator for CNN, HLN, NBC Today Show, ESPN, FoxBusiness.com and others.

LinkedIn “Influencer” with over 135,000 followers.

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Civil Rights Issues

May 19, 2015 by angishields

BRX National

Civil Rights Issues

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G Jacobs, M Earle, C Sermons, S Ditzel, & E Rowell

Greg Jacobs w/ Jacobs & King

Gregory is the Managing Member of Jacobs & King. With over 20 years of experience, Greg co-founded Jacobs & King in 2010. His concentration within the practice is on Trusts and Estates, Asset Protection Planning, Business Law, Real Estate and Tax issues.

Prior to co-founding the firm, Greg held positions including Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, Financial Planning at Wachovia Bank; Senior Manager, Private Client Services at Arthur Anderson; and Partner at Lawler & Tanner.

He earned a B.S. with Honors in accounting from the University of Florida and a J.D. with Honors also from the University of Florida. He was a member of the National Business Honor Society and Beta Alpha Psi, the National Accounting Honor Society.

Greg brings the special combination of his legal and accounting experience into play for resolving some of the most complex cases. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the State Bar of Georgia, the American Bar Association and the Atlanta Bar Association, and maintains an additional license as a Certified Financial Planner.

Originally from Brockton, Massachusetts, Greg also spent time in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida before settling in Sandy Springs, Georgia after law school in 1992. He has been married for 18 years and is the father of three sons. In his spare time Greg loves coaching and watching his sons’ sports teams, including hockey, football, lacrosse, basketball, soccer and baseball. He volunteers as the coach of the Riverwood Jr. Raiders football team and is also on their Board of Directors. Greg is active in civic organizations as well, serving as the Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee Professional Advisory Counsel of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and is on the Planned Giving and Endorsement Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

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Myrlin Earle w/ Bruce A. Hagen P.C., Trial Lawyers

Myrlin Earle w/ Hagen P.C. started his career in Georgia at the Fulton Solicitor General’s office. He then moved up to the Fulton District Attorney’s office. From there, Myrlin moved into the corporate, private sector by spending the last 10 years working for State Farm Insurance Company’s legal department in Atlanta, Sharon Ware & Associates. After spending a good bit of time defending car wreck cases.

Myrlin has now come to the “Good Side” and will be putting all that experience to work to help his clients get a fair treatment in court.

History:

2011-Present, Bruce A. Hagen P.C., Trial Lawyers. Personal Injury Trial Attorney.

2001-2011 Senior Attorney for Sharon Ware and Associates; In-House Counsel for State Farm Insurance Company. Myrlin accumulated numerous defense verdicts in metro Atlanta which saved State Farm Insurance Company millions of dollars. In 2010, he successfully defended a $10 Million lawsuit involving avascular necrosis which resulted in defense verdict.

1996-2001, Chief Senior/Assistant District Attorney, Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. Supervised Major Drug Trafficking Unit. He was the Assistant. D.A. in the trial division. Myrlin handled thousands of Felony prosecutions and supervised jury trials and hundreds of seizure cases.

1993-1996, Senior Asst. Solicitor General, Fulton County Solicitor General’s Office. Myrlin started his illustrious career handling thousands of misdemeanor cases, including DUI Prosecutions.

Mr. Earle belongs to the Atlanta and County Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia. He also is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.

Areas of Practice:

Wrongful Death
Automobile Accidents
Trucking Accidents
Bus Accidents
Brain Injury
Drunk Driving Accidents
Slip and Falls
Products Liability

Bar Admissions:

Georgia
Washington DC

Professional Associations and Memberships:

State Bar of Georgia
Atlanta Bar Association
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association

Education:

Howard University School of Law
California State University Long Beach

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Crystal James Sermons w/ Crystal Sermons, LLC

Attorney Crystal James Sermons is an accomplished attorney, educator, leader, and motivator, that has only begun to make a mark on the world. Born in Broxton, Georgia, Attorney Sermons received her Bachelor of Science degree from Clark Atlanta University, her Master of Public Health from Rollin’s School of Public Health at Emory University, her Juris Doctorate from University of Houston, and her license to practice law from the State of Georgia, all by the age of twenty-six. She has been able to not only work within her science and public health interests, she has also maintained a successful legal practice that focuses mainly on the areas of civil right issues, which include labor and employment issues, voting irregularities, criminal law, personal injury, as well as domestic relations. With more than sixteen years of private practice experience and offices in Atlanta, GA and Ocilla GA, Attorney James continues to seek opportunities to utilize her unique training and background to assist the clients that she serve.

Attorney Crystal James is also a mother, and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

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Sean Ditzel w/ Kessler & Solomiany, LLC

Education

J.D., University of Georgia School of Law

B.A., summa cum laude, Georgia State University

Bar Admissions

State Bar of Georgia

Supreme Court of Georgia

Georgia Court of Appeals

United States Federal Court, Northern District of Georgia

Selected Honors

Executive Committee of the State Bar of Georgia,

Family Law Section, 2011-2013

Chair of the Technology and Social Media Subcommittee,

Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, 2012-2013

Chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia,

Family Law Section, 2011-2013

Super Lawyers Magazine Rising Star, 2011

Graduate of the Leadership Academy of the Young Lawyers Division, 2012

Selected Positions

Webinar, Recent Developments in Technology for Family Law Practitioners, November 2012

Speaker for LiveCLE Seminar – Family & Matrimonial Law in the 21st Century: Practicing with Humanity

Panelist for Atlanta Bar Association’s Valentine’s Day CLE: Ethics Issues in Family Law

Live CLE Seminar Family & Matrimonial Law in the 21st Century: Practicing with Humanity March 28, 2013

Speaker at the 2012 Joint Legal / Forensic Accounting Divorce Seminar

Guest lecturer at John Marshall Law School

Guardian Ad Litem, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation

Summary

Mr. Ditzel was born in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to Atlanta, Georgia at an early age. After graduating at the top of his class at Georgia State University, where he was named the James Madison Scholar for Political Science, he earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2006.

Domestic relations law has been Mr. Ditzel’s exclusive area of legal practice. He has attained considerable litigation and courtroom experience in matters ranging from divorce, child support, custody, legitimation, paternity and adoption. Mr. Ditzel has represented a variety of clients throughout the State of Georgia, including many prominent athletes, entertainers and executives. Mr. Ditzel has been recognized as a Rising Star by the Super Lawyers Magazine for his exemplary work in domestic relations law.

Mr. Ditzel is extremely active in leadership positions in various local and state bar organizations and is also a trained Guardian Ad Litem for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Mr. Ditzel and his wife, Robin, make their home in Marietta, Georgia with their dog, George.

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Business & Real Estate Disputes

September 2, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Business & Real Estate Disputes

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GroupSHot — Victoria Bridgeman, Kristy Zimmerman, David Weinberg, Desmond Humphrey, & Emily Rowell (Host)

Victoria S. Bridgeman/ Bridgeman Law Group

Victoria S. Bridgeman, Esq., is the CEO and managing partner of the Bridegman Law Group. The practice focuses specifically on Labor and Employment, Contract, and Intellectual Property Law. Attorney Bridgeman has lived in the Atlanta area for over 27 years and seeks to provide practical and knowledgeable service to individuals and corporate entities alike. She can be reached at bridegmanlawgroup@gmail.com.

Kristy Zimmerman/ The Platt Law Firm

Ms. Zimmerman is an Associate at The Platt Law Firm. Ms. Zimmerman practices family law, representing clients throughout the Atlanta metro area in cases involving divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, modification and enforcement, mediations and other domestic relations matters. She is committed to being an effective advisor and advocate for all of her clients.

Ms. Zimmerman received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Sewanee: The University of the South. Ms. Zimmerman received her J.D. from the Charleston School of Law where she was actively involved with Crisis Ministries Homeless Justice Project and Juris One, the sports & entertainment law society.

Ms. Zimmerman is currently a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the American Bar Association, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the Atlanta Bar Association, where she serves on the boards of the Women in the Profession (WIP) and the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers (ACYL) sections, and is a current board member of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL). Ms. Zimmerman also serves as a volunteer lawyer for the Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, which is a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance and educational programming to artists and arts organizations throughout Georgia.

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David Weinberg/ Winter Capriola Zenner

David is one of the rare individuals born and raised in Atlanta that still calls Atlanta home. He grew up working in a family owned seafood restaurant. He attended Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and earned a JD from top-ranked UCLA Law School in 2007. Prior to law school, David was a customer service manager and product manager for a 1000+ employee global e-commerce company based in Atlanta. David also worked in production for two seasons of MTV’s “The Andy Dick Show” where he was exposed to both the artistic and business side of the entertainment industry. David also has extensive experience in commercial and residential real estate sales, leasing, and investment that benefits his clients. David’s breadth and depth of experience allows him to enjoy a broad practice where he primarily litigates business and real estate disputes. When not practicing law, David enjoys writing songs, playing guitar, mastering the BBQ grill, hiking, and social networking. If you think you have a legal question, call David first. If he can’t help you, he will tell you who can. You can follow David on twitter @SpeakerDave or call him at (404) 844-5667.

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Desmond A. Humphrey/ Humphrey Law & Associates

Attorney Desmond A. Humphrey is a native of Knoxville, TN but currently resides in Atlanta, GA with his beautiful Wife. Desmond attended Lee University in Cleveland Tennessee, where he majored in Religion with a minor in Political Science. After his tenure at Lee University he attended the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

With his thirst for knowledge at an all-time high, Desmond decided to pursue his childhood dream of becoming an Attorney. In December 2013 Desmond graduated from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree in Law. After Passing the Feb 2014 GA Bar Exam on his first attempt he opened his own Criminal Defense Law Firm. (Humphrey Law and Associates, LLC) specializing in DUI defense.

With God as an ever present force in his life since the age of 8 years old when he was called into the ministry, he has made it his life’s goal to serve God, and the people of God in spirit and in truth. In July 2011 Desmond became a licensed minister to preach the Gospel. Whether he is standing before a judge trying a case, or before a church congregation preaching, God will be glorified through his works.

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Atlanta Bar Association Highlights

July 29, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Atlanta Bar Association Highlights

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Jim Walters

Jim Walters is a senior partner in the Atlanta office of Fisher & Phillips LLP, one of the nation’s leading labor and employment firms representing employers. His practice has a strong emphasis on representing employers under the two principal federal labor laws, the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act.

In addition to representing employers in various industries in both collective bargaining and arbitration matters, Jim devotes a substantial amount of his time to defending companies charged with unfair labor practices or similar claims in cases before the NLRB, the NMB and numerous federal courts.

Jim also has represented employers in cases arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. He has entered appearances in dozens of U.S. District Courts and is admitted in all U.S. Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Jim is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was named to the 2004 and 2005 Georgia Super Lawyers list. He has been listed by the Labor Relations Institute (LRI) as one of the “Top 100 Labor Attorneys” in the U.S. since 2006. He has also been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2009.

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Lorie Maring

Lorie Maring is Of Counsel in the Atlanta office of Fisher & Phillips LLP, where she serves on its Employee Benefits Practice Group.

Lorie started her legal career at King & Spalding in Atlanta and has more than 20 years of experience as an employee benefits lawyer. Prior to joining Fisher & Phillips, she most recently practiced at McKenna, Long & Aldridge, where she counseled employers, trade associations and fiduciary committees on a wide variety of issues relating to the design, operation and compliance of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, multiple employer welfare arrangements, employer-sponsored life, health and other welfare benefit plans, wellness programs and executive compensation. A significant part of her practice focuses on helping employers navigate the Affordable Care Act.

Lorie graduated, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law. During law school, she was the associate editor-in-chief of the South Carolina Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Wig and Robe. Maring received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the College of Charleston.

She is a member of the Georgia State Bar Association’s Employee Benefits Section, Atlanta Bar Association, Women in Pensions and Worldwide Employee Benefits Network.

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Terri Beck

Terri Beck joined the Atlanta Bar Association in January 2013 and brings 15 years of non-profit management experience with her. She was formerly Executive Director of Everybody Wins! Atlanta children’s literacy and mentoring organization, a long-time Community Partner of the Atlanta Bar Association.

The Atlanta Bar Association is the largest voluntary bar association in the southeast with over 6,400 members from twelve metropolitan Atlanta counties. It has earned a national reputation for successful and innovative programs that support its diverse membership and promote the fair administration of justice in the community.

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Wade Watson

Wade Watson is the Immediate Past Chair of the 6500 member Atlanta Bar Association, having served on its Board of Directors for over 11 years.

A partner with Caldwell & Watson, LLP, Mr. Watson is a leader in the field of fiduciary law, the law that governs the rights and obligations of individuals involved in wills, trusts, guardianships/conservatorships, and closely-held businesses.

Mr. Watson represents people in fights over the transfer and control of family wealth, that is, family feud. Mr. Watson has a passion for representing people who have been mistreated by those closest to them.

Mr. Watson is a Georgia native, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Emory University, and a honor graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law. In his 32 years of practice, he has developed deep knowledge of the law in this field, the lawyers who practice it, and the judges and jurors who decide these cases.

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Jackie Saylor

Jacquelyn H. Saylor “Jackie” is President of the Atlanta Bar Association; she has been on the Executive Committee for nine of the eleven years on the Board. She is a board member of the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar and is past chair of the Sole Practitioner/Small Firm Section and past officer of the Women in Profession Section. She is a pro bono volunteer at the Fulton County and DeKalb County Probate Information Centers where she assists people with probate questions and filling out forms.

Jackie is a founding partner of The Saylor Law Firm LLP, a boutique Atlanta and St. Simons Island, GA firm of attorneys and attorney/CPA’s that represent entrepreneurs, executives, families and heirs on matters regarding their business, estate, tax, and financial plans. Jackie is experienced in the practice areas of Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts, Probate & Estate Administration, Business Planning & Business Law and Ante-nuptial agreements. The Saylor Law Firm has been listed in the U. S. News Best Law Firms in America. The firm also received The Law Firm Service Award by the Atlanta Bar Association.

Jackie and other attorneys in the firm have repeatedly been selected as a Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite; Jackie’s area of selection has been in the Taxes, Estates and Trusts category. Jackie has been voted as a Georgia Super Lawyer in Estate Planning & Trusts and she has been chosen as a Top 50 Woman Attorney in Georgia by Georgia Super Lawyers. She is listed in Georgia’s Top Rated Lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell in Estate Planning for 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Jackie has lectured on Trusts, Estates & Probate Law for the State Bar of Georgia, Institute of Continuing Legal Education programs and the West Georgia Health Foundation at a planned giving seminar. Jackie has also been a guest lecturer for the University of Georgia on “Women in Leadership in Law and the Judiciary.” Additionally, she has made television appearances to talk about the book, Women & the Law, health care advance directives and the Atlanta Bar Association.

Ms. Saylor has written, edited and published in a variety of legal and community publications. She wrote about the pitfalls of using on-line legal services to write your will in Atlanta magazine and The West Georgia Health Foundation newsletter. Jackie is Co-Author and Co-Editor of Women & the Law: A Guide to Women’s Legal Rights in Georgia.

Jackie graduated from the University of Georgia with an A. B. in History, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with an M.A. in Modern European History and Mercer Law School with a J. D.

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Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

July 8, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Atlanta's John Marshall Law School

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Tiffany Simmons, Jeffrey Van Detta, Lisa Kaplan, Anna Sokol, Emily Rowell

Lisa Kaplan/Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

Lisa Kaplan received her JD from Duke University in 1987. From there she practiced employment law and litigation for two large Atlanta firms before moving to education. Prior to joining Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, Lisa wrote and edited legal materials. In 2010 she joined John Marshall as the schools first LL.M Program Director. As Director Lisa has overseen the LLM program through ABA approval and launch. The thee programs they offer are Online Employment Law, Residential LLM in American Legal Studies, and Online LLM in American Legal Studies.

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Jeffrey A. Van Detta/Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

Jeffrey A. Van Detta holds the John E. Ryan Chair in International Business and Workplace Law and serves as Associate Dean for Scholarship at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Professor Van Detta joined the Law School faculty in 1999, after practicing in the Labor and Employment Law Group in the Atlanta Office of Kilpatrick Stockton, now known as Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, where he was a partner and represented Fortune 500 clients such as PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Delta Air Lines, Lockheed Martin, and Asahi National Broadcasting Network of Japan.

Professor Van Detta teaches courses in contracts and other international and domestic business law areas, including labor and employment law. He teaches in both the Juris Doctor and the LL.M. degree programs at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Professor Van Detta is a prolific author of legal scholarship. Recently, for example, he published two articles on the role of LL.M. degrees, both ground-based and online, for foreign-educated lawyers seeking to learn about American law.

In May 2014, Professor Van Detta gave four presentations to groups of Turkish lawyers, law students, and law professors at an International Legal Education conference in Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey, co-sponsored by Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School with Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations.

Professor Van Detta graduated with honors on a full-tuition merit scholarship from Albany Law School, the nation’s fourth oldest private law school, where he was Editor-In-Chief of Volume 51 of the Albany Law Review. After law school, he clerked for U.S. federal appeals court judge Roger Jeffrey Miner in Albany and Manhattan.

He is a member of both the New York and Georgia Bars, and serves as the Law School’s representative to the State Bar of Georgia’s Formal Advisory Opinion Board.

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Anna Sokol/Joseph H. Rosen Immigration Law Group

Ms. Sokol is a Polish Citizen and Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) in the U.S. Ms. Sokol has a law degree from the University of Lodz, Poland and a Master of Law, LLM from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. She is anticipating taking the Georgia State Bar in January 2015.

Ms. Sokol has assisted the Polish Embassy to the U.S. in registering Polish citizens in the U.S so that they could vote in the Polish national elections. She has been employed as a Law Clerk in the Joseph Rosen Immigration Law Group since 2006. Ms. Sokol specializes in working with foreign athletes, entertainers, artists, foreign professionals, and U.S. businesses seeking to employee foreign professionals. Ms. Sokol is fluent in Polish, English, and Italian.

TIFFANY M. SIMMONS, ESQ.

Award-winning, enthusiastic and resolute on rejecting defeat, Attorney Tiffany M. Simmons is the legal counsel of choice for those who seek the absolute very best representation. Attorney Simmons represents clients ranging from celebrities, businesses, to everyday citizens. Ms. Simmons was honored to receive the 2013 and 2014 Client Distinction Award for being in the top 1% of her profession by Martindale-Hubble. Ms. Simmons has been featured on many media outlets including, CNN’s HLN After Dark, talk and radio shows In addition to her media presence, Attorney Simmons is a published author writing for the American Bar Association and other publications. Ms. Simmons was also featured in the American Bar Association magazine and the GA Bar Young Lawyers Newsletter.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Attorney Simmons graduated from the US World Reports “Top High School in the Nation” City High School. At the age of 16, she was a Page for the United States House of Representatives. After leaving Michigan, Attorney Simmons graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the award winning, Florida A & M University. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Ms. Simmons sits on the board of many organizations including the Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School Alumni Board serving as Secretary. Tiffany serves as a member of the Executive Council of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of GA. As a distinguished leader in the community, Ms. Simmons has participated in numerous community activities that showcase her abilities as a model, volunteer, fundraising/campaign leader, sports enthusiast and exemplary attorney. In 2014, Tiffany was selected for the Georgia Bar YLD Leadership Academy. In addition to her legal skills, she is an actress, writer and producer who tactfully shares her expertise in the film and television industry. Ms. Simmons proves herself to be one who works well behind the scenes of TV/film as well as in front of the camera. Ms. Simmons is a member of: Georgia State Bar, American Bar Association, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Young Lawyers Division of State Bar, and Gate City Bar Association. Attorney Simmons’ philosophy of life encourages her to work hard, play hard, love hard and trust God.

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Bill Grodnik with DaVinci Virtual Offices & DavinciMeetingRooms.com

July 1, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Bill Grodnik with DaVinci Virtual Offices & DavinciMeetingRooms.com

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Bill Grodnik with DaVinci Virtual Office Solutions and DaVinciMeetingRooms.com is special guest on Atlanta Legal Experts today. As CEO of Davinci Virtual Offices and Davinci Meeting Rooms he is responsible for overseeing the growth and marketing strategy of both companies. Mr. Grodnik was previously President of Davinci International, a business center operator in four western states. Prior to creating the Davinci brand, Mr. Grodnik was President of HQ Business Centers of Arizona, where he held the franchise rights to the HQ Business Centers. Mr. Grodnik has an extensive background in finance and Management and was previously the Chairman of Board and CFO of American Traffic Systems. ATS was the first provider in the US of automated enforcement devices including Red Light and Speed Cameras. Mr. Grodnik earned a B.S (cum laude) in Business from Arizona State University.

Bill explains on the show that he originally worked for a privately held Executive Suite firm. Due to the high demand of clients/prospects asking for locations outside the company’s area, Bill started to see the vision of the Virtual offices going global. Years ago, it was necessary for professionals in the legal world to have a full-time office. Now, with the ever changing society, most professionals/entrepreneurs are mobile, including Solo-practice firms and Law School Graduates starting their practice. The high demand now is to meet the needs of the mobile worker. So, Bill developed www.DaVinciVirtual.com. He became partners with small Executive Suites firms like his all over the country and eventually the world to make this happen. It’s an easy site to find an address a place to meet your clients anywhere in the world.

A few years in, Bill began to see the need for more meeting space arise, hence the development of www.DaVinciMeetingRooms.com. The mobile entrepreneur needs places to meet clients more than anything else. The need for an address is big, but not as big as a place to work/meet your clients. This website Bill developed addressed these particular needs for the modern professional.

To summarize, I believe the show focused on his ingenuity, vision, and success in helping meet the demand of the current market for attorneys and the simplicity of making it happen for them.

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Alcohol Administrative & Regulatory Law

June 17, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Alcohol Administrative & Regulatory Law

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Emily Rowell (Host), Eleanor Benson, Tommy Williams, Nancy Palmer, Taylor Harper

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

Taylor Harper with Taylor, Feil, Harper, Lumsden & Hess, P.C. Mr. Harper’s practice involves all aspects of commercial litigation, including contract disputes, restrictive covenants, trade secrets, business torts, insurance coverage, landlord/tenant issues, premises liability claims, secured transactions and real estate litigation. His firm has a heavy focus on the hospitality and beverage alcohol industries. Specifically, Mr. Harper assists breweries, wineries, distilleries, importers, brokers, wholesalers, hotels, restaurants, package stores, and others in beverage alcohol administrative and regulatory matters at the federal, state, and local levels.

Mr. Harper graduated from Georgia State University College of Law where he was a member of the Moot Court Board as well as the Student Trial Lawyers Association. During law school, Mr. Harper received several accolades including the Honors Award for Excellence in Litigation, the Nai Award for Achievement in Advanced Evidence, the C.A.L.I. Award for Excellence in Advanced Evidence, the Weltner Inn of Court Star Pupil Award and Scholarship, and the Patrick Wiseman Award for Most Dedicated Moot Court Member. Additionally, during his second year of law school, Mr. Harper was chosen as one of seventy-five students nationwide to participate in the United States Army JAG Corps Internship Program. Mr. Harper earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and International Affairs from Georgia State University where he was graduated with honors.

When not lawyering, he serves as president and chairman of Maji Mazuri USA, Inc., a non-profit organization which raises funds to support projects based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Buckhead, and he serves on the City of Dunwoody Board of Ethics. Mostly, though, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son and their two labs.

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Nancy Palmer/GA Craft Brewers Guild

Nancy is the Vice President of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild and the founder and president of Cork & Key beverage consulting company. 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.

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Tommy Williams/Independent Distilling Company, LLC

Tommy Williams is the Chief Operating Officer of Independent Distilling Company, LLC located in Decatur, GA. IDC is the first legal distillery in the Metro Atlanta Area since Prohibition. Along with his business partner Michael Anderson they are focusing on whiskey and rum at the moment and have begun shipping to their distributor for introduction into the market. The first product they are selling is Hellbender a copper pot distilled corn whiskey, the Rum will be available later this summer.

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Eleanor R Benson/Moondog Growlers

A lawyer by training, Eleanor became interested in craft beer back in law school when craft beer meant only Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada & Sam Adams. Twenty years later – she had the opportunity to enter the craft beer business as the co-owner of Moondog Growlers. With three locations and over 100 taps – she is keenly aware of the changes in the craft beer industry as well as the challenges facing brewers and retailers of craft brews. Her love of special beer began way back in the late 80’s while attending GSU law school. Her study group was made up of her beer tasting buddies (fortunately), and together—between bar review sessions—they blind-tasted an array of types and styles of beer (little did she know back then that she was preparing for a career that’s a far cry from practicing law). Eleanor has enjoyed successful careers in law, marketing, and interior design, so she jumped at the chance to combine her background and creativity with one of her favorite hobbies – craft beer.

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