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Sara Eslami, Dawn Levine, & Emily Rowell (Host)

Dawn Levine w/ Lyle & Levine, LLC

Dawn R. Levine had several life-changing experiences that led her to a passionate focus on Estate Planning and Probate.  She services the full economic spectrum from basic Wills to complex tax planning and charitable giving.  She finds it especially rewarding to assist with charitable giving and families with young children.  A significant portion of her practice is devoted to business formation and succession and the special estate planning needs of foreign nationals.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her son and husband, gardening and DIY home projects.

Practice Areas:  Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Probate, Guardianship and Corporate Transactions

Law School:  Emory University School of Law

Undergraduate:  Washington State University, cum laude

Community Involvement:

• Treasurer, Solo/Small Firm Section, Cobb County Bar Association;
• Secretary, Cobb County Bar Association;
• Member, Marietta Kiwanis;
• Member, Marietta Business Association;
• Member, Leadership Cobb Alumni Association;
• Secretary/Treasurer, Business Law and Litigation Section, Cobb County Bar Association;
• Member, Advisory Board, First Landmark Bank;
• Member, Georgia Bar;

Community Service:

• Cobb Justice Foundation, Pro Bono;
• Georgia Legal Services, Pro Bono;
• Center for Family Resources, volunteer, donor;
• Cobb County Master Gardener, volunteer.

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Sara Eslami w/ Law Office of Sara Eslami

As I tried to seek help for my situations in the past, I found a lot of roadblocks like bad information or not enough information. I didn’t like the feeling of being helpless, so I started educating others & myself along the way.

I discovered my passion & calling in life is to help others, by putting myself in their shoes. I take my time to listen & engage you, not just skim the surface of your situation to come back with a generic reply. I simply treat you how I wanted to be treated when I was the one in need of help.

Nobody is perfect & because of that I’m here to offer my help to you.
At the Law Office of Sara Eslami, my goals include helping clients understand the legal system and obtain favorable outcomes for their cases. If you’re searching for a lawyer in the Atlanta area, please give me a call today.

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In today’s competitive legal market, getting ahead and staying ahead of the competition is critical. Missing phone calls and not having meeting rooms on demand is not an option if you want to grow your firm. Peachtree Offices offers  Virtual Office Plans and meeting rooms across Atlanta tailored to meet the needs of attorneys.

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L Gowens, M Rafi, E Rowell, A Brown, K Hodges

Ken Hodges w/ Ken Hodges Law

Kenneth (Ken) B. Hodges, III, is the former Dougherty County District Attorney and 2010 Democratic candidate for Attorney General.  Ken has tried and won hundreds of cases before Georgia juries, and now applies his dedication and trial skills at Ken Hodges Law, a practice with offices in Atlanta and Albany, focused on commercial litigation, personal injury, criminal defense, civil rights, government investigations, and RICO matters.

Ken was most recently named a 2015 “Super Lawyer” by Georgia Trend Magazine and is rated “AV”, the highest rating given by Martindale Hubble, and is rated “10+” the highest rating from AVVO, two preeminent national legal ranking systems.  Ken has been widely recognized for his legal and civic accomplishments during his 25 years as a practicing attorney, including as the 2013 recipient of the State Bar’s “Commitment to Equality” Award.  He has been named “District Attorney of the Year”, awarded the “Justice Benham Award for Community Service” from the State Bar and given the “Eagle Award” by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for his work on behalf of victims of crime.

Ken serves on the Executive Committee for the State Bar Association.  He is also Secretary for the Urban League of Atlanta and serves on boards for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the State Botanical Garden in Athens, Georgia.  He is a past Georgia Trend “40 under 40” and Trustee of Leadership Georgia.

Ken is a graduate of Episcopal High School in Washington, DC, earned his undergraduate degree at Emory University, and his J.D. at University of Georgia’s School of Law. Ken lives in Atlanta with his wife, Melissa, and their children, Margaret and Jack. They are members of Christ the King Catholic Church in Buckhead.

Website     LinkedIn     AVVO

Alexander Brown w/ Bagwell & Associates

I practice in the areas of commercial and residential real estate transactions and litigation. I received my law degree in 2009 in the top 3% of my class at John Marshall School of Law. Before joining Bagwell & Associates, I worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Complex Case Division in Fulton County. I have represented clients at both Jury and Bench trials in the areas of real estate, foreclosure defense, general civil and felony level criminal litigation. I am a member of the Georgia State Bar, Georgia Court of Appeals, Georgia Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court.

I appear regularly on HLN and CNN as a national legal correspondent and have provided legal commentary on nationally televised news media, for National Public Radio, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Huffington Post.

PRACTICE AREAS:

– Residential and Commercial Real Estate Transactions
– Real Estate Litigation
– Dispossessory Actions
– Eviction
– Landlord/Tenant Disputes
– Civil Defense
– Criminal Defense

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Michael Rafi w/ Butler Tobin, LLC

Mike is a lawyer with the firm Butler Tobin, based in Atlanta.  Mike helps injured people by maximizing the value of their cases.  Mike believes in taking a small number of cases so that he can devote the time, energy, and resources necessary to each and every client.  He exclusively handles personal injury cases, and focuses on negligent security, trucking, and other serious injury cases.

Mike went to college at Furman University and worked for U.S. Senator and now Presidential candidate Lindsay Graham.  Mike then worked for a number of news organizations, including Fox News Channel in New York City and Cox Broadcasting’s Washington, DC news bureau.  Each day he helped tell audiences about challenges faced by individuals and their communities.  Mike was not satisfied just reporting about problems and decided to go to law school so he could solve them instead.

Mike graduated with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law.  While in law school, Mike excelled on both the National Moot Court and Mock Trial Teams.  The law school named Mike the “Outstanding Mock Trial Advocate” of his class.

Mike initially practiced law with an international law firm based in Atlanta, defending companies in personal injury, product liability, and commercial litigation cases. He routinely represented Georgia’s largest electric utility company in personal injury cases.  Since making the switch to the Plaintiffs’ side, Mike has helped recover millions for his clients.

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Lance Gowens w/ The Gowens Law Firm

Lance W. Gowens earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Georgia State University. Lance graduated from John Marshall Law School in 2007.

In 2010, Lance established his own firm, The Gowens Firm, LLC, in Cumming, Georgia. In 2013 he joined the Boyd Law Group, LLC, as Of Counsel basis, managing the firm’s domestic relations practice.  In 2015, he re-established his firm, The Gowens Law Firm, LLC, in Atlanta Buckhead, Georgia.

Lance’s areas of practice are domestic relations and family law, bankruptcy, criminal lawand real estate litigation.

Lance and his wife Traci live with their six children in Suwanee, GA.

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L Virguez, D Cohen, K Sessoms, J Cohen, E Rowell

Jeffrey L. Cohen w/ Cohen, Cooper, Estep, & Allen

Jeffrey L. Cohen is well respected for his depth of experience in Tax and Corporate/Business law.

In his Tax practice, Mr. Cohen is dedicated to zealous representation before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure that his clients are treated fairly by the IRS. The IRS recognizes Mr. Cohen because of his well-earned reputation of over 23 years as a top-rate negotiator with a high command of tax rules and regulations. Because the IRS does not intimidate Mr. Cohen, he resolves most of his client’s issues at the negotiating table, rather than through litigation. If it is necessary to seek resolution in United States Tax Court, Mr. Cohen will pursue and protect your interests with zeal.

Mr. Cohen’s clients receive personal attention, unlike at larger firms where unknown associates manage cases. His commitment to client service means that he is not satisfied until his clients feel comfortable with their understanding of the legal issues they face. Tax-related legal issues create a great deal of anxiety for clients because the rules and regulations are complex. Mr. Cohen is an expert guide. He makes sure his clients are well informed and that there is no ambiguity before any decisions are made. Clients are most impressed with Mr. Cohen’s accessibility. He listens well, answers questions, and returns telephone calls within 24 hours.

A significant portion of Mr. Cohen’s practice is dedicated to representing the small business owner, from incorporating or buying a business, to the many issues involved in operation, and finally to the sale of the business.

Atlanta recognizes Mr. Cohen’s expertise and requests his appearance as a legal commentator on both Tax and Corporate Law. He has been featured on several local radio stations: WSB, WZGC, and WKHX; TV channels 8,11,17, 30, and 46; as well as in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, theAtlanta Small Business Monthly, and Business Atlanta Magazineas an expert on IRS issues.

Jeffrey is a popular speaker on the legal aspects of starting a business and presents programs regularly for SCORE, the Georgia State University Small Business Development Center, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Georgia Association of Public Accountants, the Georgia Association of Business Brokers, and other groups in Atlanta. Mr. Cohen has also written several articles about leasing strategies for new and small businesses, legal considerations for new businesses, and tax collections, and he conducts many educational seminars for Georgia State University. Areas of Practice:

• Taxation
• Tax Controversy/IRS
• Corporate/Business
• Contracts
• Trusts and Estate Planning

Bar Admissions:

• North Carolina, 1978
• Georgia, 1981
• U.S. Federal Court, 1981
• U.S. Tax Court, 1982

Education

• Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia, 1982

L.L.M., Master in Laws in Taxation

• University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1978

J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence

• Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 1975

B.A., Bachelor or Arts Honors: Magna Cum Laude Published Works:

• “You May File April 15, But IRS Works All Year,” Atlanta Business Chronicle
• “The Legal Corner: Leasing Strategies for New and Small Business,” New and Small Business Journal
• “A Three-Pronged Look at Setting Up Your Business,” Atlanta Magazine, January 1994

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Adjunct Professor, John Marshall Law School 1984-1987
• SCORE – “Legal Issues in Starting a Business,” 2001 to present

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Sandy Springs Bar Association (Vice President 1997-1998)
• Atlanta Bar Association, 1988- present
• IRS Liaison Committee
• State Bar of Georgia, 1981- present
• Intown Business Association (General Counsel 1985-1986)
• General Counsel
• North Atlanta Tax Council, 1995- present
• Georgia Association of Business Brokers, 1988- present

Please visit Mr. Cohen’s personal website at www.irslawproblems.com

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Darryl Cohen w/ Cohen, Cooper, Estep, & Allen

Mr. Cohen, an Entertainment and Criminal Defense attorney, is a partner of Cohen, Cooper, Estep & Whiteman, LLC, and previously partner with Katz, Smith & Cohen in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a former Assistant State Attorney in Miami, Dade County, Florida, and Assistant District Attorney in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. His Entertainment practice includes representation of television anchors, actors, photographers, models, and talent agencies. Further, he is involved with numerous syndicated television programs. As a criminal defense lawyer, he has represented the entire spectrum of clients for over thirty years. Many of his clients and cases are high profile entertainment related cases covered by the national media.

He is the National 2nd Vice Chairman and current Legal Committee Member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) based in New York; current Legal Chairman of the Northern California Chapter; Trustee and immediate Past President of the Southeast Chapter of NTA; and a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) based in Hollywood, California. Further, he is a voting member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

An attorney, commentator, master of ceremonies, actor, and model, he has appeared in numerous television commercials, episodic television, industrial films, as well as a principal actor in a daytime soap opera. Further, he hosted a live 2-hour talk show on WTBS-TV. He has served as President and National Board Member of the Screen Actors Guild, Georgia branch, and has served on the Atlanta Board of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). Mr. Cohen has co-hosted several local television telethons and has been a regular on-camera spokesperson for WPBA-TV’s pledge drives and Master of Ceremonies for numerous local events. He appeared regularly on WXIA-TV/Channel 11, the NBC affiliate, as the lawyer for their live televised “Noonday” program, and currently provides on-air legal commentary for CNN/HNN and local Atlanta stations, including WXIA TV/Channel 11 and WAGA-TV/Fox 5.

Mr. Cohen is past Chairman of the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. He has chaired numerous seminars and other educational programs and is Co-founder and Permanent Chairman of the Annual Southern Regional Entertainment and Sports Law Conference. He is the immediate past and past chair elect, Chairman Elect and past Treasurer of the Entertainment Arts and Sports Law Section (EASL) of the Florida Bar Association. Further, he is a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association; the Lawyers Club of Atlanta; the Cobb Bar Association; the Florida Bar Association and the Georgia Bar Association. Mr. Cohen is listed in Who’s Who in America.

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Luis A. Virgüez w/ Sessoms & Virguez, LLC

Luis A. Virgüez is a founding partner in Sessoms & Virguez, LLC. Mr. Virgüez is a native of Caracas, Venezuela and fluent in both Spanish and English.  Mr. Virguez moved to the Atlanta, GA when he was 8 years old and has spent the majority of his life living in Metro Atlanta.

Mr. Virguez graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism.  While at UGA, he was involved with Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Golden Key International Society. Mr. Virguez then moved to Arizona to attend the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at Arizona State University.  While in law school, he was heavily involved with the Chicano Latino Law Student Association (CLLSA) and in the Arizona State Immigration Clinic where he obtained his first experience in immigration law.  During his participation in the clinic, Mr. Virguez worked closely with abandoned or orphan children and battered spouses to obtain legal immigration status in the country.  It was this fulfilling experience and his background as an immigrant that led Mr. Virguez to pursue a career in immigration law.

After law school, Mr. Virguez began his legal career at a non-profit organization handling immigration cases for battered spouses and victims of crimes.  In 2009, along with founding partner Kamala Sessoms, the law firm of Sessoms & Virguez was formed.

Currently, Mr. Virguez is a member of AILA, the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to the Georgia Supreme Court.  Mr. Virguez has handled hundreds of immigration cases ranging from family petitions to cases in removal proceedings across different jurisdictions and courts in the United States.  He has also handled criminal cases involving traffic violations, DUIs, drug charges and battery charges.  Mr. Virguez is also involved in the community with public speaking engagements in public settings and law schools in Georgia and Arizona and co-hosts a several weekly radio shows concentrating on immigration and criminal defense with Ms. Sessoms.

In his spare time, Mr. Virguez enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

Education:

• B.A. Journalism cum laude from the University of Georgia,University of Georgia (2005).
• J.D. Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, Arizona State University (2008 ).

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Kamala W. Sessoms w/ Sessoms & Virguez, LLC

Ms. Sessoms is a founding and managing partner at Sessoms & Virgüez, LLC. Ms. Sessoms is originally from Michigan and moved to Atlanta in 1998.  After returning to Michigan to attend law school, Ms. Sessoms returned to Atlanta in 2004.  Ms. Sessoms has dedicated her practice to handling both immigration and criminal cases.  Ms. Sessoms is a highly experienced attorney who has defended hundreds of clients whose lives have been affected as a result of a criminal charges and subsequent immigration issues.

In her criminal practice, Ms. Sessoms focuses primarily on all misdemeanor offenses to include charges such as Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs (DUI’s), No Driver’s License, Driving on Suspended Licenses, Domestic Violence Battery, Simple Battery, Assault, Possession of Marijuana and Theft by Shoplifting.  She also primarily represents clients in felony drug possession cases. As a result of the convergence of many criminal issues with immigration, Ms. Sessoms has represented clients who have both issues.  In her immigration practice, Ms. Sessoms represents clients in deportation/removal proceedings and all family immigration matters to include naturalization, family petitions, deferred action and temporary protected status.  Ms. Sessoms has also successfully represented clients who have been victims of crimes and helped them to obtain U-Visas. In every case either criminal or immigration, Ms. Sessoms strives to zealously represent clients both in and out of court and help clients understand and feel comfortable with the entire process.

Ms. Sessoms has spoken at Cathedral de Fay regarding immigration issues.  Ms. Sessoms and her law partner Mr. Virguez hosts a monthly radio show on El Patron, 105.3 FM discussing criminal issues, Vida, 96.5 and on La Raza, 102.3 FM discussing both immigration and criminal issues.  Ms. Sessoms is available to discuss the ever-changing area of issues surrounding immigration law at community events.

In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Sessoms is a world traveler and has spent a month in East Asia visiting Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan and Singapore in 2009.  She has also traveled to Dubai, U.A.E., Mexico City, Mexico in 2012 and Managua/Grenada, Nicaragua in 2013.  Ms. Sessoms has also traveled to Guayaquil, Ecuador; Montreal, Canada and toured the Yucatan in Mexico.  Ms. Sessoms enjoys exploring new countries and experiencing the vast culture in every country she visits.

Ms. Sessoms has also been actively involved in politics and has attended both The White House Project and the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. Ms. Sessoms has worked as campaign manager on a local judicial election and as a Constituency Director for a past Atlanta mayoral campaign in 2009.  Ms. Sessoms is also an active member of Antioch Baptist Church North and enjoys to horseback ride and spend time with family.

Education:

• B.S. Political Science with a Concentration in Comparative Politics and Presidential Science Scholar, Oberlin College (1998);
• J.D. Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Program, President of Black Law Student Association and Chair of the Diversity Committee of the Student Bar, Michigan State University College of Law (2004).

Memberships:

• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
• Past Chair of Executive Office for Immigration Review Committee for Georgia-Alabama Committee
• Member, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (GACDL)
• State Bar of Georgia

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Boutique firms can save time and money on Office Space for Attorneys with Atlanta Office Suites. Peachtree Offices offers inclusive plans on attorney focused offices and suites with 2-5 included offices. 

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M Cox, C Bynum, A Caruso, S Henry, S Corley, & E Rowell

Georgia Association of Paralegals Website

Suzette M. Corley w/ United Parcel Service, Inc. & President of GAP

Ms. Corley is the Global Privacy Paralegal for United Parcel Service, Inc. She works closely with the Global Privacy Officer at UPS. Ms. Corley works on a wide range of projects from privacy impact assessments, training, global awareness campaigns and data breach response plans to following all new trends in the regulations and laws. Prior to working as the Global Privacy Paralegal, Ms. Corley was the Corporate Governance and Securities Paralegal for the U.S. and Americas Region of UPS.  She was responsible for managing all of the corporate governance activities for the U.S. entity and Latin American entity portfolio. Prior to joining UPS in mid-2008, she was a Corporate Paralegal and Trademark Paralegal with Alston & Bird L.L.P. She has a B.S. degree from Shorter University in Business Management and A.A.S. degree from Middlesex County College in Legal Studies. Ms. Corley has 27 years of paralegal experience in various practice areas ranging from corporate to real estate to IP and lots in-between. She is a member of the Georgia Association of Paralegals. She has served as the past Director of CLE, Vice President and is currently serving in the role as President for the Georgia Association of Paralegals.

Sabrina D. Henry w/ Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, LLP. & Vice President of GAP

Sabrina D. Henry is a Senior Immigration Specialist at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP. She possesses over 15 years of experience as a paralegal with a specialization in immigration law. She was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York. In addition, she participated in a student-exchange program at the University of Ghana at Legon, where she studied Women’s Involvement in Economic Development. She is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology.

Sabrina currently serves as Vice President of the Georgia Association of Paralegals, Inc. (“GAP”) and the Primary Georgia Representative for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (“NFPA”).  She has served on GAP’s Board since 2011. She is also an instructor in the Paralegal Program at the College of Professional and Continuing Education at Kennesaw State University, where she facilitates the Fundamentals of Immigration Law for Paralegals. She also speaks at seminars and conferences on the paralegal’s role in immigration law, the paralegal profession, and leadership. Sabrina is an incessant educator as she enjoys sharing her knowledge with others and imparting her love, interest, and fascination with immigration law.

Prior to her paralegal career, Sabrina was a High School Business Technology Teacher with the New York City Board of Education and was very much involved in incorporating technology throughout the core curriculum. Sabrina is happily married and has two young sons.

Cynthia Bynum w/ DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office & Bar Liaison of GAP

Cynthia Bynum is a Senior Paralegal in the Public Integrity Unit for the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office and is the principal owner of CJB Management, LLC and serves as its Executive Director.  As such she supports and provides service solutions that enhance the success of business leaders and the people they serve. Cynthia holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Fordham University’s Executive MBA Program, graduated cum laude having earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration and Business Information Systems from DeVry University. She is also a graduate of Emory’s Paralegal Studies Program. Cynthia has held several leadership positions within the legal community and in these roles she has contributed to the expansion of continuing legal education programs, leadership forums and other  professional events that empower members of local and regional paralegal associations and employees of businesses that provide legal services. She is an active member of the Georgia Association of Paralegals and serves as its Bar Liaison. Her goal is to provide substantive resources and expertise for continuous advancement of the paralegal profession.

Angela Caruso w/ Morgan & Morgan, Atlanta PLLC

Prior to joining Morgan & Morgan, P.A, one of the largest plaintiff’s firms in the nation, Angela gained seven (7) years of professional legal experience working for Claimants/Plaintiffs with Worker’s Compensation and personal injury claims by supporting their attorneys. She is an active member of Georgia Trial Lawyers Association as a Paralegal Affiliate (GTLA),  American Association for Justice (AAJ) as a Paralegal Affiliate, Georgia Association of Paralegals (GAP) and the National Federation of Paralegal Association (NFPA). Angela was recently nominated for Paralegal of the Year by the AAJ and awarded Paralegal of the Day on June 10^th, 2015 during GAP’s annual Paralegal Week.

Her legal career began when she took a temp position at a Worker’s Compensation firm while waiting for a youth ministry job to open in the Atlanta Catholic Archdiocese. She has a BA degree from Belmont Abbey College and working towards a MTS at Spring Hill College. The firm needed help with their new Case Management Software and light legal assistant duties. The firm shared office space with another firm and she was able to work part-time for both firms before securing a full time position and training as a paralegal.

She has extensive experience in all aspects of Worker’s Compensation law and enjoys sharing this knowledge by training and mentoring other paralegals. Angela has benefited from her relationship with her mentor Patty Dietz-Selke and wants to share that experience with others. Patty inspired her to help student paralegals statewide through GAP roundtable events and serving on paralegal studies school boards.

Angela hopes to continue to help Morgan & Morgan grow their Columbus, Georgia office. She appreciates the support and encouragement she receives from her attorney, Robert L. Hendrix, III, to take on leadership opportunities and strive for excellence. Angela currently serves as a chair for GAP’s Columbus chapter and wants to continue in her efforts to reach and encourage other paralegals in the Columbus area.   Her most recent goal is to become an R.P.

Originally, Angela joined GAP to have something on her bio for credibility. But then one night she needed to file a document in ICMS that was due by midnight, and she needed help. Due to the late hour, she could not call any of her co-workers for help. She went to the GAP Facebook page and posted a request for help. In less than five minutes, she had a call from a GAP member that walked her through the process. That inspired her to get involved. She started attending GAPpy Hour events and speaking at Roundtables. Patty Dietz-Selke and Sabrina Henry encouraged her to stay involved in GAP and to take leadership positions. Janet Williams has also encouraged her to study for the PACE and become a registered paralegal. It is the leadership of these women that inspire Angela to become a better paralegal for herself and others.

Angela comes from a large Italian family and enjoys spending time with her nieces, nephews and godchildren. Angela describes her family as “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” meets the “Soprano’s” without the guns and tons of cannoli.

C. Melody Cox w/ Webb, Tanner, Powell & Wilson & Director of Membership for GAP

Melody Cox works with Robert Jackson Wilson at Webb, Tanner, Powell & Wilson, LLP in Gwinnett County.  She assists in commercial litigation, real estate, eminent domain, municipal law, creditor’s rights bankruptcy, personal injury and other areas of law.  She enjoys legal research, drafting, document review, and client intake.  She began her legal career as a receptionist in a boutique insurance defense firm in Seattle, Washington.  She was promoted to assistant and then paralegal after earning her certificate from Edmonds Community College.  She has continued to broaden her experience in various areas of law and business since moving to Lawrenceville, Georgia in 2007.  She has most recently taken over some firm management duties.  Her favorite aspect of working in the legal field is helping others who find themselves in difficult situations.

This is Melody’s first year serving as Director of Membership for GAP.  She is looking forward to sharing the benefits of GAP membership with paralegals working in all areas of law and all settings.  Melody has also enjoyed her membership with NFPA and recently contributed an article on eminent domain to The Paralegal Reporter, NFPA’s quarterly magazine.

Georgia Association of Paralegals

The Georgia Association of Paralegals endeavors to advance the paralegal profession and the expertise of its members through:

• Networking
• Continuing education opportunities and
• Strong relationships with Business Partners

 Who We Are

GAP’s purposes remain the same as when first formulated over 40 years ago:

• to enhance the role of paralegals in the legal profession;
• to improve the working conditions of paralegals;
• and to maintain a continuing relationship with bar associations throughout the state.

Position Statements

On September 14, 2010, the Georgia Association of Paralegals’ Board of Directors approved GAP’s Paralegal Standards Committee’s recommendations and adopted position statements with respect to GAP’s Definition of a Paralegal; GAP’s Position on Regulation; GAP’s Position on Short-term Educational Programs; and, GAP’s Minimum Standards & Qualification Standards for Paralegals in the State of Georgia.

It is the intent of the Georgia Association of Paralegals’ Board of Directors in adopting these position statements that they serve as a guide to Paralegals seeking positions or holding Paralegal positions in Georgia. It is also the intent of the Georgia Association of Paralegals’ Board of Directors in adopting these Minimum Standards & Qualifications that they serve as a guide for Georgia attorneys, corporations, governmental entities, and all other entities who utilize the services of Paralegals. GAP’s Position Statements.

History

In 1973, a group of Atlanta area paralegals joined together to form the Atlanta Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. Their objective was to provide support for persons entering this new field, and to promote the profession to the legal community. They also wanted to create a forum for contributing to the discussions and decisions of both state and local bar associations regarding training and utilization of paralegals by attorneys. “Paralegalism” soon extended across the state, and it became apparent that people outside Atlanta needed a voice as well. Membership was expanded to include all legal assistants in Georgia. In January, 1976, AALA became GALA – Georgia Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. In 1997, GALA became GAP – Georgia Association of Paralegals, Inc.

GAP Website 

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Katie Kiihnl, Mark Thomas, Sharon Zinns, & Larry Christensen

Mark Thomas w/ Mark Thomas & Associates, PC

Mark Thomas is a 1984 graduate of East Tennessee State University with a degree in marketing. Mark graduated from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1987. Mark began his professional career as a law clerk in Houston County with the Superior Court and then with the Houston County District Attorney’s office before switching to the practice of personal injury law as a defense attorney for insurance companies. In 1998, he opened his current firm and since that time has devoted himself to aiding the injured worker. His work on behalf of insurance companies gives him a unique “behind-the-scenes” perspective on how insurers think and act, which has proven a significant advantage for his injured clients. Mark practices in Sandy Springs and is a member of GTLA, WCCL, Sandy Springs Bar Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. He is also a volunteer citizen patrol officer with the Sandy Springs Police Department and lives in Sandy Springs with his wife Karen and sons Colin, a sophomore at the University of Alabama, Iain, a sophomore at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, and Will, a sixth grader at Ridgeview Middle School.

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Sharon Zinns w/ Levy Konigsberg, LLP

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Katie Kiihnl w/ Boyd Collar Nolen & Tuggle

Larry Christensen w/ Laurence L. Christensen, PC