The Perils of Guardian Ad Litem Appointments Move on up in the World
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April 2020 Volume 25, Number 5 From the President: GEORGIA BAR In the Face of Difficulty, Hope Can Be Found Annual Bar Media & Judiciary Conference JOURNAL Exceeds Expectations Spring Into Action: October is Just Around the Corner Mindfulness Meditation to Combat Stress and Promote Civility in the Law THE LEGAL The Perils of Guardian ad Litem Appointments Move on up in the world. Join a State Bar Section. The State Bar of Georgia’s 52 sections provide newsletters, programs and the chance to exchange ideas with other practitioners. Section dues are very affordable, from $10-35. Join one (or more) today by visiting www.gabar.org > Our Programs > Sections. Questions? Contact Sections Director Mary Jo Sullivan at [email protected]. ADMINISTERED BY: DON’T ROLL THE DICE ... WHEN IT COMES TO A DISABILITY You can’t count on avoiding a disability, but you can help preserve your family’s way of life with Long-Term Disability Insurance. It is no secret that your ability to work is a key element to your financial well-being. In the unforeseen event that you become disabled, you’d want to have solid disability income protection. That’s why as a member of the State Bar of Georgia, you have access to a group plan with specially negotiated rates that can help meet your needs. UP TO $10,000 OWN SPECIAL OF MONTHLY OCCUPATION GROUP RATES DISABILITY COVERAGE FOR MEMBERS COVERAGE1 Get an instant online quote for Long-Term Disability Insurance at www.memberbenefits.com/gabar or call 1-800-282-8626 Products sold and serviced by the State Bar of Georgia’s recommended broker, Member Benefits. The State Bar of Georgia is not a licensed insurance entity and does not sell insurance. 1 Certain underwriting, income and policy limitations still apply. APRIL 2020 HEADQUARTERS COASTAL GEORGIA OFFICE SOUTH GEORGIA OFFICE 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100 18 E. Bay St. 244 E. Second St. (31794) Atlanta, GA 30303 Savannah, GA 31401-1225 P.O. 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Fite 404-419-0155 Please address unsolicited articles to: Kristin Poland, Timothy J. Colletti State Bar of Georgia, Communications Department, Angela Ellen Cusimano SECRETARY FEE ARBITRATION 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303. Jacob E. Daly Sarah B. “Sally” Akins 404-527-8750 Authors will be notified of the Editorial Board’s Bridgette E. Eckerson IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT CLE TRANSCRIPTS decision regarding publication. Jake Evans Hon. Kenneth B. Hodges III 404-527-8710 Lynn Gavin The Georgia Bar Journal welcomes the submission Mary Elizabeth Gilchrist YLD PRESIDENT DIVERSITY PROGRAM of news about local and voluntary bar association Megan Turley Hodgkiss Will Davis 404-527-8754 happenings, Bar members, law firms and topics of interest to attorneys in Georgia. Please send news Eric Hooper YLD PRESIDENT-ELECT ETHICS HELPLINE releases and other information to: Sarah I. Coole, Abbey Beth Morrow Bert Hummel 800-682-9806 Director of Communications, 104 Marietta St. NW, Amber L. Nickell 404-527-8741 Kevin Patrick YLD IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303; 404-527-8791; Michael Steven Webb Hon. Rizza P. O’Connor 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 COMMITTEE 404-527-8791 materials in alternate formats, please call 404-526- EDITORS EMERITUS CO-CHAIR GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 8627 for assistance. Peter C. Canfield 404-526-8608 Bridgette E. Eckerson (2017-19) PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT Timothy J. Colletti (2015-17) CO-CHAIR ICLE Bridgette E. Eckerson (2012-15) Leslie L. Cadle 678-529-6688 The Georgia Bar Journal (ISSN-1085-1437) is Robert R. Stubbs (2010-12) LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM published six times per year (February, April, June, Donald P. Boyle Jr. (2007-10) August, October, December) by the State Bar of COMMUNICATIONS 800-327-9631 Marcus D. Liner (2004-07) Georgia, 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100, Atlanta, DEPARTMENT Rebecca Ann Hoelting (2002-04) LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT GA 30303. Copyright State Bar of Georgia 2020. One Marisa Anne Pagnattaro (2001-02) DIRECTOR 404-527-8773 copy of each issue is furnished to members as part D. Scott Murray (2000-01) Sarah I. Coole LAW-RELATED EDUCATION of their State Bar license fees. Subscriptions: $36 to non-members. Single copies: $6. Periodicals postage William Wall Sapp (1999-00) ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 404-527-8785 paid in Atlanta, Georgia, and additional mailing Theodore H. Davis Jr. (1997-99) Jennifer R. Mason L. Brett Lockwood (1995-97) MEMBERSHIP offices. Advertising rate card will be furnished Stephanie B. Manis (1993-95) COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR 404-527-8777 upon request. Publishing of an advertisement does William L. Bost Jr. (1991-93) Ashley G. Stollar MEETINGS INFORMATION not imply endorsement of any product or service Charles R. Adams III (1989-91) SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR 404-527-8790 offered. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L. Dale Owens (1987-89) Danyale Brown same address. Donna G. Barwick (1986-87) PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER James C. Gaulden Jr. (1985-86) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 404-527-8763 Jerry B. Blackstock (1984-85) Amber Rikard PROFESSIONALISM Steven M. Collins (1982-84) 404-225-5040 Walter M. Grant (1979-82) SECTIONS Stephen E. Raville (1977-79) 404-527-8782 The opinions expressed in the Georgia Bar TRANSITION INTO LAW PRACTICE Journal are those of the authors. The views 404-527-8704 expressed herein are not necessarily those of the UNLICENSED PRACTICE OF LAW State Bar of Georgia, its Board of Governors or 404-527-8743 its Executive Committee. YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION 404-527-8778 2 GEORGIA BAR JOURNAL GEORGIA BAR JOURNAL April 2020 | Volume 25 | Number 5 GBJ | The Features 26 Annual Bar Media & Judiciary Conference Exceeds Expectations ASHLEY G. STOLLAR 32 TILPP’s 2020 Events Off to Great Start KELLYN O. MCGEE 36 Honor Roll of Contributors: 2019 “And Justice for All” State Bar Campaign for Georgia Legal Services Program GETTYIMAGES.COM/SEVENTYFOUR THE PERILS OF The GUARDIAN AD LITEM APPOINTMENTS/ 18 Legal Rachel A. Elovitz 2020 APRIL 3 64 GETTYIMAGES.COM/CHESIIRECAT 42 Georgia Lawyer Spotlight 62 Member Benefits A Conversation with Member Benefits: GBJ | In Every Issue Hon. Shawn LaGrua Law Practice Management Jacob E. Daly 5 Editor’s Letter Program Sheila Baldwin 6 From the President 52 Office of the General Counsel 10 From the YLD President You’re Fired! 64 Attorney Wellness 14 From the Executive Paula Frederick Mindfulness Meditation to Director Combat Stress and Promote 46 Bench & Bar 58 Law Practice Management Civility in the Law 53 Attorney Discipline Building a Winning Client Portal Danielle “Dani” Berry 56 Legal Tech Tips Natalie R. Kelly 68 In Memoriam 66 Writing Matters 73 Book Reviews 60 Pro Bono Breaking Bad . Writing Habits 78 ICLE Spring Into Action: October is Just Around David Hricik and Karen J. Sneddon 80 Notice the Corner 80 Classified Resources Mike Monahan 80 Advertisers Index 61 Pro Bono Star Story Valerie Brown-Williams Lorilynn Daniel 4 GEORGIA BAR JOURNAL EDITOR’S LETTER April 2020 Volume 25, Number 5 From the President: GEORGIA BAR In the Face of Difficulty, Hope Can Be Found Annual Bar Media & Judiciary Conference JOURNAL Exceeds Expectations Spring Into Action: October is Just Around the Corner Mindfulness Meditation to Combat Stress and Promote Civility in The April Issue the Law As I write this, businesses across the challenges faced by those attorneys serv- state have announced closures for an in- ing children, who are such a vulnerable THE LEGAL definite period. Schools are closed. Those group. In “The Perils of Guardian Ad Li- The Perils of Guardian ad Litem Appointments who can are isolating themselves and their tem Appointments,” Elovitz discusses the families in an effort to stop the spread of complications that can arise when dealing 420GBJ_cover_final.indd 1 4/22/2020 11:57:03 AM ON THE COVER COVID-19. Essential employees are brave- with children in the justice system, even GETTYIMAGES.COM/SEVENTYFOUR ly stepping out every day to try to provide for guardians ad litem with the best of in- necessary services to our citizens. I’ve never tentions, and shows us the tragic conse- experienced anything quite like what is hap- quences these complications can have on pening right now. When it all began, my the children. first hope was that we would all be able to If you are in search of your next book, get back to our normal lives and our normal we have the good fortune of having two VISIT routines quickly. Now, weeks later, I find book reviews featured in this edition. gabar.org myself hoping for something better. Perhaps Patrick W. McKee’s new novel, “Ariel’s that something is a little more kindness and Island,” comes strongly recommended by VIEW ONLINE gratitude in our hearts.