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Atlanta Legal Experts

Month: May 2015

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

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

 

 

AlvaroAlvaro 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.”

Website     LinkedIn

 

 

SooHSSoo 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.

Website      LinkedIn      Twitter       Facebook      AVVO

 

 

 

BruceHSBruce 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

Website     Twitter     Facebook

 

 

 

RandyKRandall 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.

Website     LinkedIn     Facebook     Twitter     AVVO

 

 

 

Civil Rights Issues

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

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

 

 

GregHSGreg 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.

Website     LinkedIn     Facebook

 

 

MyrlinEMyrlin 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

Website     LinkedIn      Twitter     Facebook

 

 

CrystalHSCrystal 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.

Website     LinkedIn     Twitter     Facebook

 

 

SeanDHSSean 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

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.

Website    Twitter     LinkedIn

GA Top Trial Lawyers

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RonWRonnie B. Wotorson, The Wotorson Firm, LLP.

Mr. Ronnie B. Wotorson is a student of the law. From a family of trial lawyers, senators and politicians, Mr. Wotorson knew very early that he would be a trial lawyer.

After he received his undergraduate degree, he worked for many years in some of the nation’s top corporations. He managed multi-million dollar businesses and oversaw and trained hundreds of people how to lead and manage successful businesses. Determined to follow his dreams of becoming a trial lawyer and truly helping people, Mr. Wotorson left a bright future in corporate America and attended law school where he served as a tutor and research assistant to multiple Professors and Deans and graduated with Honors amongst the top of his class. Mr. Wotorson has trained with the nation’s top litigators. Amongst them are the trial lawyers at the prestigious national law firm of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Finney, Lewis, Watson & Sperando, P.L. Mr. Wotorson’s passion for justice is unmatched. He has worked on some of the nation’s most complex cases with values ranging from hundreds of thousands to billions of dollars. Mr. Wotorson has tremendous knowledge and expertise from his experiences, both in business and law. He brings all his experiences to cater to the specific needs of each client.   Mr. Wotorson was named Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States, an extremely elite class of attorneys. Most recently he was nominated for “The Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers In The United States”.  He was recently the winner of the “Esquire Award” presented by the National Bar Association.

Website     LinkedIn     Facebook     Twitter

 

 

RFCRobin Frazer Clark w/ Robin Frazer Clark, PC.

Robin Frazer Clark is the owner and founder of the law firm of Robin Frazer Clark, P.C. Ms. Clark has practiced law for twenty years in Atlanta, Georgia, all as a trial lawyer in personal injury cases. Prior to this firm she was a partner in Clark Goldner, P.C. from 2004-2006 and a partner in Jewett and Clark, LLC from 1997-2004. Ms. Clark devotes one-hundred percent of her practice exclusively to representing everyday Americans who have been injured by the carelessness of others. This includes personal injury and employment matters, automobile wrecks, tractor-trailer wrecks, premises safety, elevator and escalator cases, products safety (including defective automobile manufacture), medical malpractice and sexual harassment cases.

Ms. Clark is the Immediate Past President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA) and serves on the Editorial Board of The Verdict. Ms. Clark has previously served as President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian and Education Committee Co-Chair of GTLA. Ms. Clark was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Ms. Clark was also reelected to the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia for Atlanta Circuit Post No. 36. She is the current President (2012-2013) of the State Bar of Georgia and a member of the Atlanta Bar Association in which she serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the Litigation Section. She is a Member of the General Practice and Trial Section of the State Bar of Georgia. She is also a member of the American Association for Justice (formerly, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America) and a member of the Executive Committee of The Lawyers Club of Atlanta. Ms. Clark is a Fellow of The Lawyers Foundation of Georgia.

Ms. Clark received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Vanderbilt University in 1985 and received her Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 1988. Ms. Clark is the author of numerous published articles, including “Trial Practice Corner: Avoid the IRS on Confidentiality Provisions, Verdict Magazine, Fall 2005; “There You Go Again: Other Similar Incidents in Medical Malpractice Cases (A Case Study of Bean v. Northeast Georgia Medical Center),” The Verdict, Fall/Winter 2004, “Essential Tools for Overcoming Trial Fear,” Trial Excellence, Advanced Trial Tactics for Attorneys, May 2001, “Closing Argument Tips: Compensatory and Punitive Damages,” Trial Excellence, Tactics, Legal Updates & Samples, September 2001 and Exceptions to Preferential Transfers: Closing the Hunting Season with Section 547 (c), 4 BANKR. DEV. J. 149 (1987) , Bankruptcy Developments Journal, Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute / Emory University School of Law.

Ms. Clark is admitted to the State and Superior Courts of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Ms. Clark has tried over 50 trials, the majority of which were solo trials, in the last twenty years. Ms. Clark has advocated before Georgia Appellate Courts approximately 24 times. Ms. Clark has given numerous speeches for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education of Georgia and for the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and has appeared on “The Layman’s Lawyer” on Atlanta Public Television on the issue of products liability and has appeared on “Leyes Cotidianas,” or Everyday Law, on Georgia Public Television on the issue of recent changes to the Georgia Civil Justice System.

Ms. Clark has served as volunteer counsel for The Carter Center program “Not Even One Child’s Death by a Firearm is Acceptable or Inevitable,” the Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired and the Atlanta Bar Foundation’s Truancy Intervention Project.

Ms. Clark is married to William T. Clark, Director of Political and Public Relations for Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. They have two children, Chastain, age 18, and Alexandria, age 16. Ms. Clark has been a member of Saint Mark United Methodist Church for 19 years, where she serves as Vice Chair of the Administrative Council. Ms. Clark is an avid golfer, carrying a 21 handicap.

Read The Young Lawyers Division Review in which Robin Frazer Clark was highlighted for being on the first place team in the Annual Golf Tournament.  View full BIO HERE

Website     Blog     LinkedIn     Facebook     Twitter

 

 

JPGJ.P. Gingras w/ The Gingras Firm, LLC.

The Gingras Firm, LLC is a full-service forensic accounting firm specializing in damages calculations, complex business litigation, securities litigation and expert testimony.

Mr. Gingras has extensive experience consulting with law firms and corporate law departments on litigation, accounting, and finance matters. “J.P. offers what law firms need, particularly in the current economic environment: the capability to successfully and efficiently help attorneys understand complex litigation involving accounting and/or financial matters, and, at the same time, reduce the cost of litigation to clients,” said Betsy Collins, partner at Burr & Forman LLP. “J.P. offers a one-stop shop for accounting and finance consultation, expert matters, litigation consultation, and e-Discovery capabilities,” added Ms. Collins. Mr. John Latham, partner at Alston & Bird LLP, stated that “J.P’s financial, accounting and litigation experience gives him unique insights and make him a tremendous resource for lawyers.”

Mr. Gingras’ previous employment experience includes more than 3 years at Alston & Bird LLP (“A&B”) where he provided accounting, finance, and valuation advisory support services to attorneys. While at A&B, Mr. Gingras worked with litigation teams that represented clients in securities class action suits and was involved in white-collar crime investigations. J.P. played an integral role in all phases of litigation including discovery, witness preparation and depositions, expert reports/testimony, motion practice, and trial preparation. Mr. Gingras also assisted in the representation of Boards of Directors of public companies in connection with several large special investigations.

Prior to A&B, J.P. was a manager at Deloitte & Touche accounting firm, where he developed extensive experience in providing audit services to various public company clients.

Specialties:Forensic Accounting, Securities Litigation, Damages Calculation, Trial Preparation and Expert Testimony.

Website     LinkedIn

 

 

SandyWSanford (Sandy) Wallack w/ Wallack Law

Sandy has been practicing criminal defense throughout the metro Atlanta area for over 20 years. He has experience handling offenses including murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, white-collar crime, sexual offenses, commercial gambling, drug offenses and RICO actions. Sandy has experience and handles cases at both the trial and appellate level in state and federal court.

Licensed by the Georgia State Bar since 1994, Sandy has worked in both the public and private sectors including Jacobs King & Wallack, Michael Moran & Associates, Kramer & Thomas, the Fulton County Conflict Defender’s Office, the Douglas County Public Defender’s Office and the City of Atlanta Public Defender’s Office.

Sandy received his B.A. in Political Science from University of Florida and his J.D. from Emory University School of Law. He is also a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College Trial Practice Institute. Sandy is a life member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and one of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the Animal Law section of the Georgia bar and has provided pro bono assistance in the area of animal law since law school. Sandy also speaks with groups and organizations on a variety of criminal defense topics. To learn more, click here.

Sandy has called Atlanta his home for over 30 years, having grown up in the Atlanta area. Sandy is married with three kids and a dog.

Website     LinkedIn

 

 

GA Craft Beer Laws

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

 

 

Taylor Harper

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.

Website     Twitter     LinkedIn     Facebook     AVVO

 

 

nancy palmerNancy 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

 

 

RobertHSRobert 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.

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