Alan Jeffrey Levine | Cobb Circuit, Post 5

Candidate Statement

Two years ago the BOG proposed requiring malpractice insurance for all attorneys. I wasn’t on the BOG. But I attended the meetings as this proposal was discussed. I spoke up to explain why this would be extremely detrimental to lawyers practicing only criminal defense. Imagine the time and cost involved defending a malpractice claim when a disgruntled client had buyer’s remorse after accepting a favorable plea deal?

Now, there’s some discussion of making fee disputes subject to mandatory arbitration. Non-lawyers on the arbitration panel, having no appreciation for the work lawyers do, thinking they make too much money, will potentially reduce hard earned fees. It would abrogate the freedom to contract. I’ll oppose this.

I don’t think our BOG should stand idly by while runners (often working for out-of-state lawyers and firms) gather up and funnel personal injury clients to “litigation mills” that don’t work the cases. This deprives local attorneys who will work the cases of clients and a living. Our State Bar should give its voice to help its own members.

While the State Bar shouldn’t get in every fight, neither should it sit like a “bump on a log” when it can positively help Georgia lawyers.

I’ll work to build consensus among other BOG members for common sense policies that maximize access to our courts for all, namely by working to ensure all lawyers are served by the State Bar, not just a few select interest groups. I know how to get on the phone, send emails and rally the troops when necessary.

Dawn did a great job during her 10 years on the Board. She leaves some formidable high heels to fill. If elected, I’ll advocate for the law and ALL lawyers at the State Bar’s committee and general meetings.

Education

• Georgia Institute of Technology (1991)
• Emory University School of Law (2006)

Personal/Family

• I live in Marietta, Georgia, and have been married to Dawn Levine for 29 years. We have one son, Andrew, and a grandchild, two dogs, two cats and four chickens.
• My current hobbies include playing drums, reading and thinking about going to the gym. When it comes to sports, I root for (and often cry over) Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, Alabama and all Atlanta professional sports teams.
• At Georgia Tech, I triple majored in drumming in a rock band, playing for the club ice hockey team and sleeping through my exams. After somehow graduating, I went on to teach middle and high school math and science for 10 years before attending law school with my wife, Dawn, and our then three-year old son.

Professional Background, Bar Activities, Civic Activities

• I am now an assistant DA with the Appeals Division of our Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
• Prior to my current position with the Cobb DA’s Office, I was a solo criminal defense lawyer for nearly 10 years. Before that, I worked for around three years with my wife, Dawn, in her firm doing estate and guardianship litigation. My first job out of law school was with our Cobb County Solicitor where I worked for more than six years, including as the DUI Court prosecutor.
• I have served as president of our Cobb Bar’s Business Law Section and as a member of its Board of Trustees. I am presently the Cobb Bar’s chaplain.
• While working with my wife’s firm, we co-authored numerous articles on probate, estate and guardianship law that appeared in the Fulton County Daily Report. I also served as a part-time magistrate judge in Cobb County for a year.
• I now help out with a boys ministry program at The Table on Franklin Road, and have organized a spiritual reading group at Stonebridge Church called the ‘Dangerous Christians Book Club.’ I am a mentor with Marietta Mentoring for Leadership, have been on its Board of Directors and was privileged to serve on the City of Marietta’s School Board while our son was a student at Marietta High School.

Main Issues Facing the State Bar/Position

• Small and solo practitioners must succeed as professionals serving their clients, and as competitors in a tough marketplace. Our State Bar should promote policies that help its members excel first and foremost as lawyers, and as participants in an adversarial environment extending beyond the courtroom.
• We need more lawyers in government, be it at the city, county or state level. Our State Bar should encourage and support candidates—i.e., smart, ethical, energetic lawyers—to run and win in upcoming elections.
• The importance of literacy in the fields of civics, history and logic can’t be neglected. Our State Bar should continue extending its hand, be it through moot courts or otherwise, to help our educators and students teach and learn about the law and the processes by which a civil society governs itself.
• Our State Bar needs to continue providing quality pro bono and low bono services to those in need throughout the state. This includes expanding opportunities for lawyers to serve and learn, growing their set of skills as they make a difference helping their fellow Georgians.
• Last, but not least, our State Bar should look for more ways to make itself useful and relevant to its members be it CLE, practice and business support, professional and personal growth, social events, etc.