GDLA is the association for trial lawyers who defend businesses and individuals in civil litigation.
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The Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (GDLA) was founded over 50 years ago by a group of civil defense lawyers who wanted a forum for networking outside the office. While its initial focus was camaraderie, the GDLA has evolved to offer formal avenues for training, networking and communication. GDLA is the Georgia affiliate for DRI, the voice of the defense bar. GDLA membership benefits include C
LE seminars, judicial receptions, a newsletter and annual Law Journal, plus an e-mail blast system that allows members to pose questions about experts, points of law, emerging issues, and more. With almost 1,000 civil defense lawyer members regularly defending businesses and individuals in all types of civil litigation, we are the best civil defense lawyers in the state of Georgia.
Congrats to GDLA board member Zach Matthews and his colleague, Matt!
“I think there's been a little bit of a trend the last few years for defense lawyers, or even insurance companies or defendants to just decide to settle these cases, because it's more certain. That's not my firm's attitude,” defense attorney Zach Matthews said.
Please read Jake Daly's Georgia Bar Journal cover story on phantom damages and share with your legislators, especially those who are not lawyers. Jake chairs GDLA's Legislative Action Committee.
The 56th GDLA Annual Meeting was held June 15-18, 2023, at The Breakers in West Palm. The resort was spectacular, the program/speakers were terrific -- especially the three federal judges' professionalism panel with Judges Self, Story, and Wood -- and the networking events were oh so fun!
Thanks to GDLA's sponsors who support us year-round and helped make this a truly memorable conference.
Congratulations to GDLA's new officers: President Pamela Lee, President-Elect Bill Case, Treasurer Ashley Rice, and Secretary Marty Levinson. It's going to be a great year!
Photos from Georgia Defense Lawyers Association - GDLA's post
Great job, GDLA VP Marty Levinson!
There was no way that a jury was going to be able to conclude that this salsa was the cause, said defense attorney Martin Levinson.
If any GDLA members know folks in SC, our counterparts there could use their help volunteering as jurors. They need not be lawyers, but lawyer vols get CLE credit.
To sign up as a witness or juror send your full name and email address to George James [email protected] or Aimee Hiers [email protected].
Register now for the 2nd Southeastern Women Litigators Conference (SEWL) from March 22-23, 2023, at the Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head, S.C. and join fellow women litigators from AL, FL, NC, SC and TN for "High Tides and Litigation Vibes." Brochure/agenda and other details here -- early bird reg fee discount ends 3/3: www.gdla.org/event_uploads/SEWL_Reg_Now.pdf
Florida Defense Lawyers Association NC Association of Defense Attorneys South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
After a two-year hiatus thanks to COVID, we were thrilled to host the 18th GDLA Judicial Reception last night at the State Bar. What a wonderful evening of camaraderie!
Register now for the 2nd Southeastern Women Litigators Conference (SEWL) from March 22-23, 2023, at the Sonesta in Hilton Head Island, S.C. and join litigators from AL, GA, FL, NC, SC, and TN to support, educate and advance women civil defense litigators. Details here, including the agenda once finalized: www.gdla.org/event_uploads/SEWL_Save_the_Date.pdf
Shout out to GDLA members Karen Kirkpatrick Karabinos and Mary Beth Boone plus Executive Director Jennifer Davis Ward, who are planning the event along members and EDs from our neighboring state defense orgs: Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, NC Association of Defense Attorneys, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, and Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association.
GDLA salutes member Douglas Burrell, who wrapped up his year as DRI President at the DRI Annual Meeting this week.
We also salute South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association Executive Director Aimee Hiers who won DRI’s Executive Director of the year award. She stepped in for GDLA’s ED to run our Annual Meeting after Jennifer’s husband passed away unexpectedly.
Kudos also go to GDLA member Melody Kiella who won DRI’s Excellence in Education Award.
GDLA participated in the DRI Regional Meeting this week. We’re especially proud that DRI’s President is our very own Douglas Burrell!
A wonderful time was had by all at the GDLA Board of Directors Spring Meeting on St. Simons this past weekend. Great meeting, great weather, great friends!
Still basking in the glow of a WILDly (pun intended!) successful inaugural SE Women Litigators Conference yesterday at Zoo Atlanta. Kudos again to Karen Karabinos who hatched the idea. Thanks to our counterparts for helping us execute: Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, NC Association of Defense Attorneys, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, and Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association.
The long-awaited SE Women Litigators Conference is underway! Kudos to Karen Karabinos whose grand idea this was back in 2020. Glad we were finally able to hold it in-person with our fellow state organizations from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Elephants, giraffes and zebras — oh my!
Early bird registration ends tomorrow! Don't miss this inaugural event for members of GDLA and our neighboring state defense organizations! Thank you to our sponsor firms! Register here: tinyurl.com/GDLA-SEWL
Kudos to GDLA Legislative Chair Jake Daly for penning this article on our behalf. These laws need to be revisited and changed to be fair for both plaintiffs and defendants.
https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2022/02/02/the-need-for-limited-lawsuit-reform-in-georgia/?cmp_share
Now that the 2022 legislative session has started, there are three laws that GDLA wants to highlight for consideration by the General Assembly and Gov. Brian Kemp: apportionment of fault to non-parties, phantom damages and seat belt defense.
It hit me to take a "class photo" this year! We're on day 2 of 3 and everyone is still smiling!
And we’re off … at last! Our first Trial & Mediation Academy since August 2019. Chair Brad Marsh kicked off the conference this morning and we’re here until Saturday.
High five to Jake for being out voice at the Court on this important issue.
https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2021/10/20/civil-defense-bar-asks-ga-justices-to-nix-proposed-rule-to-allow-contact-with-opponents-ex-employees/?cmp_share&slreturn=20210924124527
The Georgia Defense Lawyers Association asked the Supreme Court to reject or modify a proposed rule that will allow lawyers to contact former employees of an organization without its counsel's permission or notification.
GDLA was honored to receive the DRI Janata Award for most outstanding state and local defense organization in the country during the DRI Annual Meeting this evening. GDLA Past President Matt Moffett accepted the award. Congratulations also goes to GDLA member, Douglas Burrell, who was sworn in as DRI President tonight!
Georgia Defense Lawyers Association - GDLA updated their information in their About section.
We appreciate the Daily Report’s honoring the life and legacy of GDLA President George Hall. He touched countless lives and will be missed.
“He represented … the best of the legal profession and of humanity in general. He had a combination of intellect, compassion, humility and work ethic that made him the kind of person people wanted to be with and to be represented by, said attorney Ben Brewton.
GDLA is heartbroken over the unexpected passing of its President George Hall. He was an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, partner, leader, and friend. His smile, wit, kindness, and brilliance will not soon be forgotten.
He’s pictured with his wife, Margaret (right), at the GDLA Annual Meeting in June where he was sworn in as President by his longtime friend and former law partner, Sr. Judge Neil Dickert. Neil’s wife, Floride, is at left.
Funeral details:
Saturday at Reid Memorial Presbyterian at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will follow the service in the church reception area.
GDLA is proud to have partnered with Georgia Trial Lawyers Association to found Mask Up For Justice. We were recognized below by one of the premier clear mask companies from which we sourced many masks. Keep staying safe, everyone!
Mask Up For Justice is proud to work with Clear Mask toward keeping Georgia jury trials safe.
The State Bar of Georgia honored GDLA with two Best Newsletter Awards (2020 and 2021). Executive Director Jennifer Davis Ward collected them at the Bar’s Annual Meeting today. She’s pictured with former Congressman Buddy Darden who received the Thomas Marshall Professionalism Award.
Photos from Georgia Defense Lawyers Association - GDLA's post
GDLA held its 54th Annual Meeting this past week and WOW did we have fun! Congratulations to Distinguished Service Award winner, Walter McClelland, and President’s Award winners, Cindy and Staten Bitting. Congrats to our new officers, too: President George Hall, President-Elect Dart Meadows, Treasurer Pamela Lee, And Secretary Bill Casey.
At last! GDLA Board of Directors Spring Meeting IN PERSON!! Thankful for vaccinations!
Proud to partner with Georgia Trial Lawyers Association on this critical project. We still need your financial support to buy masks so donate today at www.maskupforjustice.com!
Time for a little levity as we all continue to “Zoom” forward!
https://mobile.twitter.com/lawrencehurley/status/1359207169091108864?prefetchtimestamp=1612909516536
““I’m here live, I’m not a cat,” says lawyer after Zoom filter mishap “I can see that,” responds judge https://t.co/HclKlAUwbM”
Grateful to all the Mask Up For Justice donors who make these shipments possible! If you haven't yet, donate today by clicking the MUFJ logo on our homepage. 'Tis the season for giving!
Another Mask Up For Justice shipment going out today! These masks are headed to the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit for jury trials starting January 4, 2021.
It's so please donate to Mask Up For Justice! Help us raise the funds to supply courthouses with masks to safely reopen and resume in-person jury trials. Donate here:
http://www.georgiabar.org/MasksForJusticeProgramRegistration.ASP
Please donate to Mask Up For Justice so we can help courthouses supply masks to operate safely! ‘Tis the season for giving so please support our joint fundraiser with Georgia Trial Lawyers Association!
The warning came after members of the legal community complained about lax mask protocols in certain courts.
Please donate today by visiting our website and clicking the Mask Up For Justice! logo. Thank you for those who have already contributed!
As courts other states deal with the challenges of resuming trials, Georgia lawyers are looking to reduce spread by making more masks available. The effort has raised $50,000 since September.
GDLA President Jeff Ward is quoted in this Daily Report article. Also mentioned is our charitable project with Georgia Trial Lawyers Association -- Mask Up For Justice (although it's not named). Please consider donating so we can help the courts reopen safely by supplying masks/PPE. Click the MUFJ logo on our homepage.
https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2020/10/30/uncharted-territory-georgia-trial-lawyers-prepare-to-resume-jury-trials/
Jurors' possible fears of contracting COVID-19 during a trial and how to broach the issue with potential jurors is going to be a huge question, said the president of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association.
DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar’s virtual Annual Meeting concluded today. Hats off to GDLA Past President Ted Freeman who completed his term as Regional Director. We’re proud of Douglas Burrell for his installation as DRI President-Elect!
GDLA is proud to partner with our colleagues on the other side of the “v.” to help our courthouses reopen safely. Please donate now to Mask Up For Justice!
https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2020/09/29/plaintiffs-and-defense-bars-unite-for-courthouse-mask-fundraiser/?cmp_share=share_facebook&fbclid=IwAR25o71hFtZjX2PjklAZXTQLDrvrPKK-CZM_eqNr-5eXaMjQ13Rb1lfZ6Cg
The money will help provide masks and other equipment for anyone using the courthouses, including jurors, courthouse employees and lawyers.
Proud of GDLA member and former State Bar President Robert Ingram and his firm for stepping up to help their community.
https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/region/marietta-law-firm-hosts-students-for-remote-classes/article_cc02b825-779f-58e9-9726-c70195b1d9b1.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR1nhPh4gDoWOr1NoeKiT-hKDDX_3AjEjfLo4QxrZXTyBZ1yyzZnlbczJ10
MARIETTA — As Cobb schools continue to teach students remotely, a Marietta law firm is stepping up to help employees navigate the school day.
GDLA and Georgia Trial Lawyers Association have teamed up to establish Mask Up for Justice! This charitable effort will raise funds to provide supplies, including masks and PPE, for courthouse facilities with the goal of helping them resume jury trials and operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make your tax deductible donation now!
http://www.georgiabar.org/MasksForJusticeProgramRegistration.ASP
P. O. Box 67
Rossville, GA
30741
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Still basking in the glow of a WILDly (pun intended!) successful inaugural SE Women Litigators Conference yesterday at Zoo Atlanta. Kudos again to Karen Karabinos who hatched the idea. Thanks to our counterparts for helping us execute: Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, NC Association of Defense Attorneys, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, and Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association.
First time for everything—“second line” parade from the hotel to our private street party. #dri2019AM
First ever cornhole tournament at the 52nd GDLA Annual Meeting was a hit! Thanks to Collision Specialists Incorporated and ESI for sponsoring that and the hospitality suite!
GDLA-Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Women's Cooking Event was amaaaaazing! Since Facebook only allows one video post at a time, enjoy!
A great moment during today's NAWJ Annual Conference: President Jimmy Carter shared sage advice from one of his Plains High School teachers. GDLA was honored to sponsor the National Association of Women Judges 39th Annual Conference in Atlanta. Kudos to Justice Carol Hunstein, who interviewed President Carter and the Former First Lady. #NAWJATL #JimmyCarter
GDLA President Peter Muller (aka James Brown) was "feelin' good" and makin' us proud at the State Bar Annual Meeting!
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