YLD Committees

To join a YLD Committee or Committees, please fill out a membership application available below as a PDF file and return to the YLD office. Membership on a committee is good through one Bar year (June to June).

2007-08 YLD Committee Brochure and Sign-Up - PDF Version

Advocates for Students with Disabilities
This committee provides technical support and networking opportunities to the growing community of attorneys whose practice or passion includes students with disabilities and their families. The committee ensures the number of attorneys involved with families continues to grow and that these attorneys have excellent continuing education opportunities, as well as a network of colleagues. The committee also provides support on issues such as estate planning, civil rights, healthcare issues, power of attorneys, juvenile justice, and guardianships.

Craig Goodmark, chair
Atlanta Legal Aid Society
151 Spring Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303-2097
404-614-3995 Fax 404-614-3997
clgoodmark@atlantalegalaid.org

Appellate Admissions
This committee arranges the biannual ceremonies for admission of new Bar admittees to the Georgia Supreme Court, the Georgia Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Courts.

Elizabeth Fite, chair
Schreeder, Wheeler & Flint, LLP
1100 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30309-4516
404-681-3450 Fax 404-681-1046
efite@swfllp.com

Aspiring Youth Program
This committee assists at-risk middle school students by increasing their aspirations to graduate from high school and college by demonstrating the importance of education, hard work and commitment. All program activities take place during the "latch-key" hours when youths are most often unsupervised and include tutorials, mentoring, study groups, programs directly related to issues facing teenagers today and recreation time. Young lawyers serve as positive role models while developing mentoring relationships with the students. This program meets twice a year: Two afternoons weekly for six weeks in the fall and in the spring. Attorneys are needed to volunteer at the middle school for two hours a day as often as possible during the fall or spring program.

Kristy Byrd, co-chair
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
1100 Peachtree St., N.E., Suite 2800
Atlanta, GA, 30309-4530
404-532-6983 Fax 404-541-3264
kbyrd@kilpatrickstockton.com

Courtney Beasley, co-chair
Courtney D. Beasley, Esq., LLC
P.O. Box 83444
Conyers, GA 30103
770-362-7799
cdbeasleyllc@gmail.com
Return to Top

Business Law
Business Law Committee addresses issues specific to young lawyers whose practice involves either commercial litigation or commercial transactions. The committee monitors and addresses legal developments in the areas of business, commerce and finance on both federal and state levels.

Seth Katz, co-chair
Jackson Lewis, LLP
1900 Marquis One Tower NE
245 Peachtree Center Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-525-8200
katzs@jacksonlewis.com

Pete Wedersheim, co-chair
Carlock Copeland Semler & Stair, LLP
285 Peachtree Center Avenue, Suite 2600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-221-2222 Fax 404-222-9482
pwerdesheim@carlockcopeland.com

Community Service Projects
This committee provides opportunities for young lawyers to participate in local, state or national service projects focused on various social issues, such as working with organizations that address the needs of underprivileged children, hunger, domestic violence, and the environment.

Terri Gordon, co-chair
DeKalb County Law Department
1300 Commerce Dr. 5th Floor
Decatur, GA 30060
404-371-3011 Fax 404-371-3024
tngordon@co.dekalb.ga.us

Shiriki Cavitt, co-chair
Troutman Sanders LLP
600 Peachtree St., N.E., Suite 5200
Atlanta, GA 30308-2216
404-885-3122 Fax 404-962-6582
shiriki.cavitt@troutmansanders.com

Corporate Counsel Committee
This committee serves the professional needs of younger attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations and other private sector organizations. CLE programs are offered each year covering topics of particular interest to in-house attorneys, including, but not limited to, corporate governance and compliance, ethics, diversity, technology solutions and partnerships with private law firms. In addition to providing a forum for committee members to communicate, the committee sponsors networking events between corporate counsel and business lawyers from private practice.

Amber Pride, chair
Right Resumes Worldwide, Inc.
400 Perimeter Center Terrace N., Suite 900
Atlanta, GA 30346
404-717-6447 Fax 866-547-4690
amber@rightresumesonline.com

Criminal Law
This committee strives for the improvement of the criminal justice system, and where appropriate, seeks to implement changes. The committee annually sponsors CLE seminars and the Commitment to Justice Award.

Brad Gardner, co-chair
Forrest B. Johnson & Associates
1745 Martin L. King, Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30314
bradgardner@fbjlaw.com

Courtney Johnson, co-chair
DeKalb County District Attorney's Office
556 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
404-371-2201 Fax 404-371-7048
cljohnso@co.dekalb.ga.us

Disaster Legal Assistance
This committee coordinates emergency legal assistance for victims of natural disasters.

Suzanne Osborne, co-chair
Law Office of Suzanne Success Osborne
8075 Mall Parkway, Suite 101-337
Lithonia, GA 30038
770-621-2526 Fax 770-621-2527
sosborne@ssolawpc.com

Michelle Ruff, co-chair
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 203
Roswell, GA 30077
770-851-2619 Fax 770-220-1962
michelleresq@hotmail.com

Elder Law
This committee is involved in the delivery of legal services to the elderly, monitoring legislation and other legal developments affecting the elderly community, and providing general information to older Georgians.

Ethics & Professionalism
This committee develops programs to assist lawyers in achieving the ethical and professional standards set forth for the legal profession and to make the public aware that lawyers are striving to meet and exceed these standards. This committee works with the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism. The committee recognizes one young lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism with its Ethics & Professionalism Award.

David Adams, co-chair
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
1201 West Peachtree St., Suite 3500
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-879-2492 Fax 404-870-4846
daadams@wcsr.com

Nicole Iannarone, co-chair
Bondurant Mixson & Elmore, LLP
1201 West Peachtree Street, Suite 3900
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-881-4100 Fax 404-881-4111
iannarone@bmelaw.com

Family Law
This committee provides educational and networking opportunities to young lawyers whose practice involves family law. The committee sponsors a networking event as part of the annual Family Law Institute, as well as an annual signature fundraising event to raise money and awareness for causes involving family related issues in Georgia.

Leigh Cummings, chair
Warner Mayoue Bates & Nolen, P.C.
Riverwood 100 Building, Suite 2300
3350 Riverwood Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-951-2700 Fax 770-951-2200
lcummings@wmbnlaw.com

High School Mock Trial
This committee provides educational litigation experience to hundreds of high school students by sponsoring a statewide mock trial competition, sending a team to the national competition, and holding a summer law camp. Young lawyers, judges and teachers throughout Georgia get involved in all levels of the competition as coaches, judges and committee members.

Sally Evans, chair
Hawkins & Parnell, LLP
303 Peachtree Street, Suite 4000
Atlanta, GA 30308-3243
404-614-7400 Fax 404-614-7500
sevans@hplegal.com

Deborah C. Craytor, vice chair
Law Offices of Deborah C. Craytor
2774 North Cobb Parkway
Suite 109, PMB 335
Kennesaw, GA 30152
770-499-7245 Fax 770-499-0174
dcraytor@craytorlaw.com

William Noland, vice-chair
Groover & Childs
P. O. Box 898
Macon, GA 31202
478-745-4712 Fax 478-745-7373
william@grooverandchilds.com

Intellectual Property Law
This committee promotes communication among young lawyers practicing in the various areas of intellectual property law as well as networking with other practice groups to enhance the availability of business opportunities. The committee provides CLE programs as well as social activities that promote networking and Bar participation.

Charlene R. Marino, co-chair
Hill, Kertscher & Wharton, LLP
3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30339-3351
770-953-0995 Fax 770-953-1853
crs@hkwlaw.com

Chad Pannell, co-chair
King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30309-3521
404-572-4692
cpannell@kslaw.com

Intrastate Moot Court Competition
This committee sponsors the annual Intrastate competition among students from Georgia law Schools. It organizes and conducts all aspects of the competition.

Derek Bauer, chair
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
303 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 5300
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
404-527-4195 Fax 404-527-4198
dbauer@mckennalong.com

Sarah Cipperly, co-chair
Legal Aid of Cobb County
30 South Park Square, Suite 101
Marietta, GA 30090
770-528-2568 Fax 770-528-2574
sccipperly@atlantalegalaid.org

Ben Erwin, vice-chair
Powell Goldstein LLP
1201 W. Peachtree Street NW, 14th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30309-3488
404-572-6625 Fax 404-572-6999
berwin@pogolaw.com

Juvenile Law
This committee is responsible for studying and recommending changes in the areas of juvenile law, facilities and rehabilitation. The committee encourages and celebrates excellence in juvenile law practice across Georgia through sponsorship of an annual CLE event and child advocate awards. The committee organizes and co-sponsors the Celebration of Excellence, a graduation ceremony for youth in the state foster care system. In addition, the committee is in the process of researching, drafting, and editing recommended revisions to Georgia's Juvenile Code. The committee also promotes participation in and funding of juvenile representation through the Lawyers Challenge for Children Campaign.

Ari Mathe, co-chair
Office of Public Defender
Northern Judicial Circuit
P.O. Box 390
Gainesville, GA 30503
770-718-5523 Fax 770-718-5538
amathe@hallcounty.org

Lea S. Thompson, co-chair
Lateral Recruiting Coordinator
King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30309-3521
404-572-4961 Fax 404-572-5116
Lthompson@kslaw.com

Labor and Employment Law Committee
This committee produces two CLE programs each year for attorneys representing employees and employers in labor and employment matters, including, but not limited to, harassment and discrimination issues, wage and hour law, worker's compensation concerns, non-compete agreements, collective bargaining, and other federal and state law applicable to the employer-employee relationship.

Josh Viau, chair
Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson, LLP
229 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30303-1614
404-659-6700 Fax 404-222-9718
viau@elarbeethompson.com

Law-Related Education/Law Awareness for Youth
This committee supports and encourages the growth of law-related education in the state, particularly through the inclusion of law-related curriculum in the schools. These efforts include preparing an Introduction to Law textbook and hosting an annual Teachers' Workshop.

Melissa Carter, co-chair
Office of the Child Advocate
270 Washington St. SW, Suite 2162
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-463-5724
mcarter@gachildadvocate.org

Joann Yoon, co-chair
Atlanta Legal Aid Society
975 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 550
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-785-5947 Fax 404-785-4762
jmyoon@atlantalegalaid.org

Leadership Academy
Sharri Edenfield, co-chair
Edenfield Cox Bruce & Classens
P. O. Box 1700
Statesboro, GA 30459
912-764-8600 Fax 912-764-8862
sharri@ecbcpc.com

John Jackson, co-chair
Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial, LLC
950 East Paces Ferry Road, Suite 3000
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 876-2700 Fax (404) 875-9433
jjackson@wwhgd.com

Legislative Affairs
This committee serves as the clearinghouse for YLD-initiated legislation and aids legislators and other YLD committees in various matters. The committee also holds the annual Legislative Breakfast.

Ashley Harris, co-chair
Waste Management
2859 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-805-3543 Fax 770-805-8485
aharris2@wm.com

Ben Vinson, co-chair
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
303 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 5300
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-527-4173 Fax 404-527-4198
bvinson@mckennalong.com

Litigation
This committee addresses the needs of younger litigators by sponsoring litigation themed lunch-and-learns, CLE and CLE/socials both inside and outside metro Atlanta. The committee also places an emphasis on social activities as well as service to the community, fostering networking among the members. Monthly lunch meetings are held September through May.

Edward McAfee, co-chair
Carlock Copeland Semler & Stair, LLP
2600 Marquis Two Tower
285 Peachtree Center Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-221-2329 Fax 404-523-2345
emcafee@carlockcopeland.com

Shane Mayes, co-chair
Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele
192 Anderson Street
Marietta, GA 30060
770-795-5055 Fax 770-429-8631
tsmayes@mijs.com

Minorities in the Profession
This committee encourages increased participation by minorities in the Bar and the YLD, examines the problems affecting the minority lawyer and expands the opportunities for minority lawyers within the profession. Monthly lunch meetings are held September through June.

Stephinie Petties, co-chair
Georgia Legal Services Program
104 Marietta Street, N.W., Suite 240
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-894-7707 Fax 404-463-1584
spetties.piedmont@glsp.org

Kimbley Puckett, co-chair
Georgia Legal Services Program
104 Marietta Street, N.W., Suite 240
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-463-1570 Fax 404-463-1584
kpuckett@glsp.org

National Moot Court Competition
This committee conducts the Region V competition of the National Moot Court Competition.

Stephanie Oginsky, chair
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP
1170 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1900
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-870-4609 Fax 404-806-5609
soginsky@lockelord.com

Real Estate
The Real Estate Law Committee promotes communication among young lawyers practicing in the various areas of real estate law as well as networking with other practice groups to enhance the availability of business opportunities. The committee provides CLE programs as well as social activities that promote networking and Bar participation.

Meredith Wilson, co-chair
McGuire Woods LLP
1170 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 2100
Atlanta, GA 30309-7649
404-443-5707 Fax 404-443-5771
mwilson@mcguirewoods.com

Tyler Dunn, co-chair
Morris Hardwick Schneider LLC
7000 Central Parkway, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30328
770-392-0500 Fax 770-392-0479
tdunn@closingsource.net

Signature Fundraiser
The Casino Night Charity Fundraiser Committee organizes and orchestrates an annual fundraising event in Atlanta to raise money to support non-profits. This year's event will take place on Friday, January 11, 2008. The committee will begin meeting monthly in August in Atlanta. Contact Deidra F. Sanderson, YLD Director with any questions about this event or to join the committee at (404) 527-8778 or deidra@gabar.org.

Jennifer Blackburn, chair
Troutman Sanders LLP
600 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 5200
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-885-3061 Fax 404-962-6574
jennifer.blackburn@troutmansanders.com

William W. Daniel National Invitational Mock Trial
This committee hosts an annual criminal mock jury trial competition among law students. The talented competitors are law students hailing from law schools across the country. All Georgia law schools are also invited to participate. Every summer, the William W. Daniel National Invitational Mock Trial Committee sends hundreds of applications to ABA accredited law schools. Only 18 schools are invited to compete in this well known competition named in honor of the late Judge William W. Daniel of the Superior Court of Fulton County.

Barbara Marschalk, chair
Drew, Eckl & Farnham
P.O. Box 7600
Atlanta, GA 30357-0600
404-885-6322 Fax 404-876-0992
bmarschalk@deflaw.com

Women in the Profession
This committee's mission is to ensure the success of women attorneys just beginning their careers by providing a forum for dialogue and ideas on multicultural concerns of women, sponsoring programs directed to business and professional development, organizing networking activities, and supporting organizations and causes which advance the status and progress of women in society.

Jennifer Jordan, chair
The Barnes Law Group
P.O. Box 489
Marietta, GA 30060
770-419-8505
jennifer@barneslawgroup.com