In this Issue…
– COVID-19 Updates
– Information from the Supreme Court of Georgia
– 2020 Election Results
– Help Identify Legal Services Delivery Issues Associated with COVID-19
– Georgia Small Business/Nonprofit COVID-19 Remote Pro Bono Clinic
– Pay Bar License Fees
– Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism Events and Resources
– Local and Voluntary Bar Activities Awards
– ICLE Webcasts
– Free Fastcase Research Offered Through the State Bar
– Wellness Corner
May 26, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATES
While the State Bar offices are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be updating this page [ www.gabar.org ] with important information from the Bar and from our courts, as well as helpful resources for our members and the public.
INFORMATION FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA
On May 11, 2020, Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Harold Melton extended the order declaring a statewide judicial emergency. Read the extended order [ www.gasupreme.us ] .
The Supreme Court of Georgia has issued a press release [ sbog.info ] regarding restarting its cases and reinstating filing deadlines. Included in the press release are links to samples of orders and certificates, and information about adding a temporary new Rule 11.1 “Filings Affected by Judicial Emergency Orders,” effective May 28. Read the Court’s statements on other items of note here [ www.gasupreme.us ] .
2020 ELECTION RESULTS
The 2020 State Bar of Georgia Election concluded on April 24. Following are winners of the contested races – click here [ sbog.info ] to download a PDF of the final vote summary:
Alcovy Circuit, Post 2 : Austin O. Jones – Loganville
Chattahoochee Circuit, Post 3: Alex Musole Shalishali – Columbus
Douglas Circuit: Kenneth Brown Crawford – Douglasville
Middle Circuit, Post 1: Mitchell McKinley Shook – Vidalia
Stone Mountain Circuit, Post 3: Shondeana Crews Morris – Decatur
YLD Secretary: Brittanie Danielle Browning – Atlanta
Following are the results of the uncontested races in which the incumbent chose not to run for re-election:
Augusta Circuit, Post 2: Danny L. Durham – Evans
Waycross Circuit, Post 1: Matthew Jackson “Matt” Hennesy – Douglas
HELP IDENTIFY LEGAL SERVICES DELIVERY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19
The State Bar of Georgia has established a special committee to help identify issues related to the delivery of legal services during the public health emergency associated with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Visit the website [ www.gabar.org ] and use the online form [ form.jotform.com ] to identify legal service delivery issues that you have become aware of in relation to COVID-19.
GEORGIA SMALL BUSINESS/NONPROFIT COVID-19 REMOTE PRO BONO CLINIC
The Georgia Small Business/Nonprofit COVID-19 Pro Bono Clinic is an opportunity for Georgia small businesses with fewer than 25 employees as well as 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who have suffered adversely from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis to receive free legal advice during a 45-minute remote consultation with a volunteer attorney. For more information and to request an appointment, visit the website [ www.gabar.org ] .
PAY BAR LICENSE FEES
Annual license fee notices were mailed May 22, and payments are due by July 1. If you choose to pay by credit card, online license fee payment is available on our website [ www.gabar.org ] . You may also print a copy of your license fee notice. If you have any questions, please contact the membership department at membership@gabar.org [ mailto:membership@gabar.org ] .
CHIEF JUSTICE’S COMMISSION ON PROFESSIONALISM EVENTS AND RESOURCES
The Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism is hosting a free virtual CLE titled “Criminal Justice, Professionalism and Coronavirus” on Thursday, June 11, from 12-1 p.m. via Zoom. For more information and to register, click here [ criminal_justice_professionalism_coronavirus.eventbrite.com ] .
The Commission is currently recruiting volunteers to serve as group leaders for the 2020 Law School Orientations on Professionalism from now through June 5. To express your interest in serving as a group leader, click here [ www.surveymonkey.com ] . For more information about the Law School Orientations on Professionalism, please visit www.cjcpga.org [ www.cjcpga.org ] .
A recent Gallup poll [ news.gallup.com ] found that Americans are reporting that their mental health is suffering more than their physical or financial health due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the Commission’s Moving Forward with Professionalism in the Midst of a Public Health Emergency CLE, presenters provided several resources that can help lawyers and their clients during these challenging times. Read more [ cjcpga.org ] .
LOCAL AND VOLUNTARY BAR ACTIVITIES AWARDS
The deadline for this year’s Local and Voluntary Bar Activities Awards is July 31, so you still have time to compile photos, news clippings, programs, flyers, etc., for scrapbooks and exhibits.
Click here [ www.gabar.org ] for more information regarding the guidelines and submission process. If you have questions, contact Ashley Stollar at 404-527-8792 or ashleys@gabar.org [ mailto:ashleys@gabar.org ] .
ICLE WEBCASTS
While we are practicing social distancing, visit the website [ www.gabar.org ] for a list of available ICLE webcasts on topics that you would normally see at our summer institutes and programs.
FREE FASTCASE RESEARCH OFFERED THROUGH THE STATE BAR
Free online legal research is available to all Bar members. Learn how to effectively use and navigate Fastcase. In-person sessions are currently cancelled, but you may still sign up for a webinar hosted by Fastcase. Visit the website [ www.fastcase.com ] for more information.
WELLNESS CORNER
Introducing the Lawyers Living Well podcast! Produced by the Wellness Committee and Lawyer Assistance Program, this new podcast is for attorneys, by attorneys, and highlights wellness resources available to all State Bar of Georgia members. Check out episodes now on SoundCloud [ soundcloud.com ] , iTunes [ podcasts.apple.com ] , Spotify [ open.spotify.com ] and Stitcher [ www.stitcher.com ] , and follow #LLWPod on social media to stay updated on new shows.