February 2017 Volume 22, Number 5 GEORGIA BAR Calculating Economic Damages in Georgia Personal Injury and JOURNA L Wrongful Death Cases How Companies Can Keep Their Sensitive Information Away from Adversaries but Still Cooperate with Auditors Leroy Johnson: In the Center Ring of Change Writing Matters: Our 10-Year Anniversary FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Meeting Expectations: Bar Conference Facilities Accommodate Members’ Needs GEORGIA BAR JOURNAL Get Published Earn CLE Credit The Editorial Board of the Georgia Bar Journal is in regular need of scholarly legal articles to print in the Journal. Earn CLE credit, see your name in print and help the legal community by submitting an article today! Submit articles to Sarah I. Coole Director of Communications [email protected] | 404-527-8791 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100, Atlanta 30303 Do Outside Your Comfort Zone. “Ninety percent of the people I interact with every day are lawyers. Pro bono work ex- pands my thinking and sharpens my creativity – valuable skills in routine practice and in life. It also broadens my capacity to navigate issues outside of my practice areas. I use those skills to help people who need legal assistance but cannot afford it. I receive much in return from these experiences.” — Alexandria Reyes, Esq., Volunteer with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND); ACLU of Georgia; Latin American Association TThhee ccaauussee ooff jjuussttiiccee rreeqquuiirreess aann aarrmmyy ooff vvoolluunntteeeerrss.. AAnnsswweerr tthhee ccaallll.. DDoo PPrroo BBoonnoo.. BBeeccaauussee YYoouu CCaann.. ##vvoolluunntteeeerrssttaatteebbaarrggaa dduueejjuussttiicceeddoo5500..oorrgg **RRuullee 66..11 VVoolluunnttaarryy PPrroo BBoonnoo PPuubblliicc SSeerrvviiccee:: AA llaawwyyeerr sshhoouulldd aassppiirree ttoo rreennddeerr aatt lleeaasstt ((5500)) hhoouurrss ooff pprroo bboonnoo ppuubblliiccoo lleeggaall sseerrvviicceess ppeerr yyeeaarr…… IInn aaddddiittiioonn,, aa llaawwyyeerr sshhoouulldd vvoolluunnttaarriillyy ccoonnttrriibbuuttee fifinnaanncciiaall ssuuppppoorrtt ttoo oorrggaanniizzaattiioonnss tthhaatt pprroovviiddee lleeggaall sseerrvviicceess ttoo ppeerrssoonnss ooff lliimmiitteedd mmeeaannss.. NNoo rreeppoorrttiinngg rruulleess oorr rreeqquuiirreemmeennttss mmaayy bbee iimmppoosseedd wwiitthhoouutt ssppeecciifificc ppeerrmmiissssiioonn ooff tthhee SSuupprreemmee CCoouurrtt ggrraanntteedd tthhrroouugghh aammeennddmmeennttss ttoo tthheessee RRuulleess.. TThheerree iiss nnoo ddiisscciipplliinnaarryy ppeennaallttyy ffoorr aa vviioollaattiioonn ooff tthhiiss RRuullee.. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 HEADQUARTERS COASTAL GEORGIA OFFICE SOUTH GEORGIA OFFICE INSTITUTE OF CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100 18 E. Bay St. 244 E. Second St. (31794) 248 Prince Ave. Atlanta, GA 30303 Savannah, GA 31401-1225 P.O. Box 1390 P.O. Box 1855 800-334-6865 | 404-527-8700 877-239-9910 | 912-239-9910 Tifton, GA 31793-1390 Athens, GA 30603-1855 Fax 404-527-8717 Fax 912-239-9970 800-330-0446 | 229-387-0446 800-422-0893 | 706-369-5664 www.gabar.org Fax 229-382-7435 Fax 706-354-4190 EDITORIAL OFFICERS OF THE QUICK DIAL MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION BOARD STATE BAR OF GEORGIA ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE The Georgia Bar Journal welcomes the submission of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PRESIDENT 800-334-6865 ext. 720 unsolicited legal manuscripts on topics of interest to Timothy Jerome Colletti Patrick T. O’Connor 404-527-8720 the State Bar of Georgia or written by members of the State Bar of Georgia. Submissions should be 10 MEMBERS PRESIDENT-ELECT CONSUMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM to 12 pages, double-spaced (including endnotes) and Donald P. Boyle Jr. Brian D. “Buck” Rogers 404-527-8759 on letter-size paper. Citations should conform to A Rickie Lee Brown Jr. TREASURER CONFERENCE ROOM RESERVATIONS UNIFORM SYSTEM OF CITATION (19th ed. 2010). Jacqueline F. Bunn Kenneth B. “Ken” Hodges III 404-419-0155 Please address unsolicited articles to: Tim Colletti, John Clay Bush State Bar of Georgia, Communications Department, David Gan-wing Cheng IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT FEE ARBITRATION 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303. Jacob E. Daly Robert J. “Bob” Kauffman 404-527-8750 Authors will be notified of the Editorial Board’s Bridgette E. Eckerson SECRETARY CLE TRANSCRIPTS decision regarding publication. Jake Evans Darrell L. Sutton 404-527-8710 Lynn Gavin The Georgia Bar Journal welcomes the submission Chad Henderson YLD PRESIDENT DIVERSITY PROGRAM of news about local and voluntary bar association Michelle J. Hirsch Jennifer C. Mock 404-527-8754 happenings, Bar members, law firms and topics of Eric Hooper interest to attorneys in Georgia. Please send news YLD PRESIDENT-ELECT ETHICS HELPLINE Spencer Lawton Jr. Nicole C. Leet 800-682-9806 releases and other information to: Sarah I. Coole, Amber L. Nickell 404-527-8741 Director of Communications, 104 Marietta St. NW, Kristin M.S. Poland YLD IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303; phone: 404-527-8791; Addison Johnson Schreck John R. B. Long GEORGIA BAR FOUNDATION/IOLTA [email protected]. Pamela Y. White-Colbert 404-588-2240 DISABILITIES Mark W. Wortham COMMUNICATIONS GEORGIA BAR JOURNAL If you have a disability which requires printed materials COMMITTEE 404-527-8791 in alternate formats, please call 404-526-8627 for EDITORS EMERITUS CO-CHAIR GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS assistance. Peter C. Canfield 404-526-8608 Bridgette E. Eckerson (2012-15) PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT Robert R. Stubbs (2010-12) CO-CHAIR LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Donald P. Boyle Jr. (2007-10) Sonjui L. Kumar 800-327-9631 The Georgia Bar Journal (ISSN-1085-1437) is published Marcus D. Liner (2004-07) LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT six times per year (February, April, June, August, Rebecca Ann Hoelting (2002-04) COMMUNICATIONS 404-527-8773 October, December) with a special issue in November Marisa Anne Pagnattaro (2001-02) by the State Bar of Georgia, 104 Marietta St. NW, DEPARTMENT D. Scott Murray (2000-01) LAW-RELATED EDUCATION Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303. Copyright State Bar of William Wall Sapp (1999-00) DIRECTOR 404-527-8785 Georgia 2017. One copy of each issue is furnished to Theodore H. Davis Jr. (1997-99) Sarah I. Coole MEMBERSHIP members as part of their State Bar dues. Subscriptions: L. Brett Lockwood (1995-97) ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 404-527-8777 $36 to non-members. Single copies: $6. Periodicals SWteipllhiaamni eL .B B. oMsta nJri.s ((11999913--9935)) Jennifer R. Mason MEETINGS INFORMATION pofofsictaegs.e A pdaivde rinti sAintlga nratate, Gcaar.d, awnidll a bded fituironniaslh meda iulipnogn Charles R. Adams III (1989-91) COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR 404-527-8790 request. Publishing of an advertisement does not L. Dale Owens (1987-89) Stephanie J. Wilson PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER imply endorsement of any product or service offered. Donna G. Barwick (1986-87) 404-527-8763 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to same address. James C. Gaulden Jr. (1985-86) PROFESSIONALISM Jerry B. Blackstock (1984-85) 404-225-5040 Steven M. Collins (1982-84) Walter M. Grant (1979-82) SECTIONS Stephen E. Raville (1977-79) 404-527-8774 TRANSITION INTO LAW PRACTICE 404-527-8704 The opinions expressed in the Georgia Bar UNLICENSED PRACTICE OF LAW Journal are those of the authors. The views 404-527-8743 expressed herein are not necessarily those of the YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION State Bar of Georgia, its Board of Governors or 404-527-8778 its Executive Committee. 222 GGGEEEOOORRRGGGIIIAAA BBBAAARRR JJJOOOUUURRRNNNAAALLL GEORGIA BAR JOURNAL February 2017 | Volume 22 | Number 5 A A T AT Y M/ O C K. C O T S Y I B O T O H P GBJ | The Features 34 Leroy Johnson: In the Center Ring of Change DERRICK ALEXANDER POPE 40 Georgia’s BASICS Program: A Continuing Testament to Our Enduring Commitment to Justice TARA LEE ADYANTHAYA KI S V O N A 43 Leveraging State Bar Resources M/ VIT to Strengthen Resilience CO K. C MICHELLE E. WEST O T S Y I B O T 46 The State Bar of Georgia HO P Diversity Program: CALCULATING Fueling the Pipeline and Looking ECONOMIC DAMAGES to Future Generations of Lawyers IN GEORGIA PERSONAL to Lead the Profession INJURY AND MARIAN COVER DOCKERY WRONGFUL DEATH CASES / 18 Charles L. Baum II, Ph.D. HOW COMPANIES CAN KEEP THEIR SENSITIVE INFORMATION AWAY The FROM ADVERSARIES BUT STILL COOPERATE Legals WITH AUDITORS / 26 John Jett and Joshua C. Hess 2017 FEBRUARY 3 74 ILLUSTRATION BY ISTOCK.COM/ LILKAR GBJ | In Every Issue 5 Editor’s Letter 50 Georgia Lawyer Spotlight 69 Pro Bono Star Story A Conversation with Michael D. Hurtt 6 From the President Chief Justice P. Harris Hines Michael Monahan 10 From the YLD President Jacob E. Daly 14 From the Executive 70 Member Benefi ts Director 60 Offi ce of the General Counsel How to Search a Case 29 Know Your Bar Let It Go! in Fastcase 7 54 Bench and Bar Paula Frederick Sheila Baldwin 61 Attorney Discipline 64 Legal Tech Tips 66 Law Practice Management 72 Writing Matters 76 In Memoriam A Key Resource for Starting Writing Matters: a Law Practice in Georgia Our 10-Year Anniversary 79 CLE Calendar Natalie R. Kelly Karen J. Sneddon and David Hricik 81 Notices 104 Classified Resources 68 Pro Bono 74 Professionalism Page 104 Advertisers Index Due Justice. Do Pro Bono. In a Season of Change, Michael Monahan and Matthew Porter Emotional Intelligence and Resilience Count in the Success Columns Avarita L. Hanson 4 GEORGIA BAR JOURNAL EDITOR’S LETTER February 2017 Volume 22, Number 5 The February Issue JGEOORGIAU BARRNAL CDPWeaarrlmocsnuoagnlgafaeutlsil nI Dnignje uEaGrcteyhoo na rCnogamdisa ei cs HKIfSAnruteoofiedwomllpri tCmC ATooohrdaomsevtpiieporer anrsSan aeAtirneweis sewai sCtyi itb avhune t LCeernotye rJ oRhinngso onf: C Inh athneg e W10r-iYteinarg AMnantitveerrss: aOruyr Journal This issue’s Pro Bono Star Story features This new year, the has resolved to continue bringing Bar members quality Michael D. Hurtt, who—with nearly 40 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Meeting and pertinent information. years of pro bono work under his belt—ex- Expectations: Bar Conference In the From the President column, Bar plains why “no good deed goes unpunished” Facilities Accommodate Members’ Needs President Pat O’Connor discusses the State does not apply to pro bono work. Bar’s recent assumption of the ICLE’s ad- We are pleased to offer two legal ar- ON THE COVER ministrative duties and why the transition ticles for your reference, both of which STATE BAR CENTER, ATLANTA, GA is a win-win for Bar members. are packed with practical, state-of-the-law YLD President Jennifer Mock, in her information. The article “How Companies From the YLD President column, address- Can Keep Their Sensitive Information es the scarcity of rural lawyers and recent Away from Adversaries but Still Cooperate attempts to ameliorate issues posed by the with Auditors” addresses the battle-within- scarcity. The column highlights one pro- a-battle of keeping confidential informa- gram in particular—the Succession Plan- tion confidential while also complying with ning Pilot Program—that seeks to match financial disclosure obligations. For those seasoned attorneys transitioning out of of us who never have to worry about finan- full-time practice with newer attorneys cial disclosures, the article also doubles as a VISIT interested in succeeding to an established good primer on privileged information and gabar.org law practice. the work-product doctrine. The Georgia Lawyer Spotlight column Those whose practice involves person- VIEW ONLINE continues its series of interviews with in- al injury and general tort law—either on www.gabar.org/ fluential Bar members. For this issue, Jour- the plaintiff side or the defense side—will newsandpublications/ nal Editorial Board member Jacob Daly sat find the “Calculating Economic Damages georgiabarjournal/ down with Chief Justice P. Harris Hines of in Georgia Personal Injury and Wrongful the Supreme Court of Georgia. Chief Jus- Death Cases” article an invaluable reposi- FOLLOW tice Hines was appointed to the Court on tory of information on the nuts and bolts Twitter July 26, 1995, by Gov. Zell Miller, and was of calculating economic damages. @StateBarofGA elected presiding judge on Aug. 15, 2013, in Thank you for reading, and as always, @Georgia/YLD which capacity he served until sworn in as please let us know what you think. Facebook chief justice on Jan. 4, 2017. /statebarofgeorgia /GeorgiaYLD Youtube /StateBarofGeorgia Flickr /statebarofgeorgia /yld TIM COLLETTI Editor-in-Chief, Georgia Bar Journal Instagram [email protected] @statebarofga 2017 FEBRUARY 5 GBJ | From the President ICLE Transition a Win- Win for Bar Members Y H P A R G O T O H P S chures, books and publications, food and E Since 1965, the Institute of Continu- N O ing Legal Education (ICLE) has existed beverage, professional speaker expense Y J SE as the not-for-profit educational service reimbursement and ICLE overhead. Any A Y C for members of the State Bar of Georgia surplus funds are used entirely for the im- B TO and, until the end of 2016, was a fully provement of continuing legal education O PH self-supporting consortium of the State products and services. Bar and the law schools at the University All of the institute’s activities are de- PATRICK T. of Georgia, Emory University, Mercer signed to promote a well organized, prop- University, Georgia State University and erly planned, and adequately supported O’CONNOR Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. program of continuing legal education For more than three decades, ICLE by which members of our profession President was generously hosted by the University are afforded a means of enhancing skills State Bar of Georgia of Georgia. Effective Dec. 31, 2016, the and keeping abreast of developments in [email protected] administrative relationship between ICLE the law, and engaging in the study and and the University of Georgia ended. Un- research of the law, so we as lawyers are der the prior arrangement, the University able to fulfill our responsibilities to the handled employee salaries and benefits, profession, the courts and the public. with ICLE providing reimbursement of Georgia is one of 46 states that require payroll and program planning costs. mandatory CLE for attorneys admitted Since the beginning of this year, the to practice in their jurisdictions. Bar Rule State Bar of Georgia has assumed the ad- 8-101 states, “It is of utmost importance ministrative duties for ICLE. With much to members of the Bar and to the public gratitude to all of the law schools in Geor- that attorneys maintain their professional gia for their support and guidance over competence throughout their active prac- the years, I see a very positive outlook for tice of the law.” both ICLE and the State Bar as we make Bar members are required to keep this transition. abreast of changes in the law by attending ICLE’s revenue is derived from tuition a minimum of 12 hours of education ses- charges and the sale of publications. ICLE sions each year. At least one hour must be receives no revenue from State Bar dues in ethics, one hour must be in profession- and exists solely to serve the educational alism and, for trial lawyers, three hours needs of practicing lawyers. Income from of class time must be in litigation. Since registration fees are allocated toward 1965, the State Bar has helped facilitate CLE credit reporting, marketing and bro- this process through ICLE. 66 GGEEOORRGGIIAA BBAARR JJOOUURRNNAALL During fiscal year 2016, the institute OFFICERS’ BLOCK offered 226 live CLE seminars covering dozens of practice areas, with approxi- mately 83 percent of those taking place at In this issue of the Georgia Bar Journal, we’re sticking with the the Bar Center headquarters in Atlanta. traditional February theme. We asked our State Bar of Georgia officers, When possible, those sessions are simul- When did you first fall in love with the law? cast to the Coastal Georgia Office in Sa- “ ” vannah and/or the South Georgia Office in Tifton through videoconferencing. The 16-member Commission for Con- tinuing Lawyer Competency (CCLC), which is authorized by the Supreme Court PATRICK T. O’CONNOR of Georgia to supervise and administer President rules and regulations of the continuing le- gal education requirements for Bar mem- When I saw Hugh McNatt and Wilton Harrington try bers, has approved self-study, or “distance a land line dispute in the Superior Court of Wheeler learning,” as a method of satisfying up to County, with my Uncle J.B. O’Connor sitting as judge, I knew I was hooked. six hours of the annual mandate. Approved self-study formats include live CLE activi- ties presented via video or audio, replays of live CLE activities, online CLE activities, CD-ROM and DVD interactive CLE ac- tivities, telephone CLE activities and writ- KENNETH B. KEN HODGES III “ ” ten correspondence CLE courses. Treasurer According to former ICLE Interim Ex- I don’t remember my “first” but it happened ecutive Director Douglas G. Ashworth, frequently when I was a prosecutor. It was every time the institute served a total of 29,023 Bar a victim hugged me, often times with tears in their members in FY 2016, with 18,864 attend- eyes, thanking me for standing up for them. And it ing live seminars, 8,646 participating on- continues today when I am able to help clients solve line and 1,513 utilizing rented DVDs. their problems. In addition to the majority of CLE courses offered at one or more of the State Bar’s offices, other sessions are scheduled in conjunction with the Bar’s DARRELL L. SUTTON Annual Meeting or other meetings at Secretary various locations. During my first day as a lawyer. Although intangible, ICLE maintains a good relationship there was something rewarding about practicing and works closely with the chairs and law, a feeling of accomplishment. And I have felt the executive committee members of each of same every day since. Nearly all those days have the Bar’s 48 sections, the Young Lawyers been difficult—in one way or another. But each has Division (YLD) and its committees to included that same love for the law. coordinate schedules and hold audience- appropriate seminars when and where those groups are meeting. The institute ROBERT J. BOB KAUFFMAN also directs independent CLE program “ ” Immediate Past President providers to contact and work with Bar section and YLD leaders to prevent the As simple as it sounds, I fell in love with the law my scheduling of competing seminars. very first week of practicing, as soon as I was able to In addition to offering conveniently help a client. I’ve loved it every day since. (That first located sessions for Bar members, ICLE’s paycheck after receiving my first student loan bill registration fees are the least expensive wasn’t too bad either!) of any CLE provider, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, when considering the average mandatory CLE hourly cost (see accompanying chart on page 8). This is 2017 FEBRUARY 7 How Do ICLE’s Seminar Fees Compare to Others? PROVIDER COST PER PROVIDER COST PER MCLE HOUR MCLE HOUR 1. ICLE in Georgia $23.33 12. Oklahoma CLE $33.33 2. Florida Bar CLE $27.33 13. Pennsylvania Bar Institute $49.83 3. National Academy for CLE $28.17 14. Colorado CLE $51.50 4. Minnesota CLE $30.00 15. Likeable Lawyer $53.69 5. Texas Bar CLE $31.20 16. National Business Institute $59.83 6. Michigan ICLE $32.50 17. Alabama CLE (U of A Law) $63.17 7. South Carolina Bar CLE $32.50 18. CLE of British Columbia $66.15 8. Missouri Bar CLE $32.71 19. Tennessee Bar Assoc. CLE $70.00 9. Lawline $33.17 20. Practising Law Institute $71.43 10. Wisconsin CLE $33.20 21. West LegalEd Center $99.17 11. Mississippi Bar CLE $33.33 22. Tennessee Comm. on CLE $260.77 This is a simplified comparison figure, to wit: the average cost per fee structure like ICLE. The rates above are for the lowest priced MCLE hour for other CLE providers, which includes for-profit and seminar per provider that was discovered in our review. These nonprofit organizations. These figures were derived by comparing figures were compiled in March and April of 2016. similar programs offered by 21 other providers based on the information readily available on their websites. All of the rates were For most of the organizations, their registration fee does not include calculated based on a typical 6-8 hour program (not including continental breakfast, lunch or printed materials. Some also did not beginning lawyer classes). Many providers have seminars with include the cost of the attendee’s MCLE fees. ICLE registration fees widely varying registration fees; only one or two seem to have a base include all of those things. made possible in part by using the Bar tions. Constructive input from participants Bar Presidents Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker, Center and other State Bar facilities for a through seminar and speaker evaluation Charles L. Ruffin, Kenneth L. Shigley and majority of programs, which eliminates forms help ICLE and partnering organiza- J. Vincent Cook; YLD officers Jennifer C. the added charges associated with the tions with the planning and speaker selec- Mock, Nicole C. Leet and John R. B. “Jack” rental of hotel meeting rooms and audio/ tions for future events. Long; law school representatives Dean Pe- visual equipment, and utilizing food-and- The continued cooperation and sup- ter B. “Bo” Rutledge and David E. Shipley beverage caterers whose services are less port of Georgia’s appellate court judges of the University of Georgia, Dean Robert expensive than those provided at hotels or and Bar leaders also contribute to ICLE’s A. Schapiro and A. James Elliott of Emory other conference centers. Additional sav- success. Supreme Court justices and University, Dean Daisy Hurst Floyd and ings are realized by ICLE’s ability to spread Court of Appeals judges often participate Oren Griffin of Mercer University, Roy out overhead costs among its high volume as speakers or panelists for CLE semi- M. Sobelson and Dr. E. R. “Ray” Lanier of of programs and passed on to Bar members nars. State Bar officers past and present Georgia State University and Dean Mal- in the form of reduced registration fees. are among the Georgia lawyers who fill colm L. Morris and Michael Mears (the Activity feedback is another critical many of the seats on the ICLE Board of board’s vice chair) of Atlanta’s John Mar- component of ICLE’s commitment to con- Trustees, the institute’s governing body. shall Law School; and other at-large trust- ducting educational programs of the high- My immediate predecessor as State Bar ees Thomas C. Chambers III, Patricia D. est quality. ICLE has developed question- president, Robert J. “Bob” Kauffman, is Shewmaker, Geoffrey Allen Alls, Paul V. naires intended to produce valuable insight the board’s current chair. Other members Balducci, Hon. Rizza O’Connor and John as to Bar members’ satisfaction with their include current State Bar officers Brian D. W. Timmons Jr. CLE experiences and whether the sessions “Buck” Rogers, Darrell L. Sutton, Ken- Thanks to ICLE, the continuing legal meet attorneys’ needs and future expecta- neth B. Hodges III and myself; past State education program in Georgia is a source 8 GEORGIA BAR JOURNAL
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