JUSTICE ROBERT BENHAM AWARDS COMMUNITY SERVICE for
Honoring Outstanding Community and Public Service
Saturday, June 26, 2021 | 6:30PM - 8:00PM Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center Atlanta, Georgia JUSTICE ROBERT BENHAM AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
AWARDS PRESENTATION and DINNER
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e Chief Justice's Commission www.cjcpga.orgon Professionalism
#BenhamCSA21 @cjcpga 2 JUSTICE ROBERT BENHAM AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE Co-SponsoGOLD ! SILVER
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HISTORY OF THE AWARDS
ese awards are named in honor of e Honorable Robert Benham who, during his term as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1995 to 2001, focused the attention of lawyers and judges on the community and public service aspects of professionalism. Justice Benham explains:
e public impression of the legal profession is not shaped just in the courtroom. It is shaped in all kinds of activities. When lawyers are involved in community activities, people will see them as neighbors, swimming team coaches, baseball coaches, house builders, and a whole host of other community servants. And if lawyers are also community servants, people will see the legal profession as a community-spirited profession. Such an impression can't help but benet the profession and increase the understanding of the role of the law and lawyer.
In 1997, the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Georgia created the Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service to honor lawyers and judges who have made outstanding con- tributions in the area of community service. e awards were created with the following objectives:
(1) To recognize that volunteerism remains strong among Georgia's lawyers;
(2) To encourage all lawyers to become involved in serving their communities;
(3) To improve the quality of life of lawyers through the satisfaction they receive from helping others; and
(4) To raise the public image of lawyers.
e First Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service were presented at the Annual State Bar of Georgia Meeting on June 18, 1998, in Atlanta. e 1999 to 2001 awards were given out at the Annual Meetings in Savannah and Kiawah Island, S.C. e presentations moved to the January Midyear Meetings of the State Bar in Atlanta from 2004 to 2006. Since 2007, the awards ceremony has been an independent event held in the Atlanta area or at the Georgia Bar Center in Atlanta, free and open to the public, with increased attendance from the community, and the bench and bar.
4 JUSTICE ROBERT BENHAM AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
JUSTICE ROBERT BENHAM AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
Award Criteria & Eligibility
Each year the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, with the assistance of the State Bar of Georgia, solicits nominees for the Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service. A wide net is cast, as nominees are solicited from around the State of Georgia and from all ten judicial districts. Any person may submit a nomination, including members of the public, bar leaders, and fellow practitioners. The Selection Committee, consisting of members of the bar and the public, receives nominations, conducts confidential deliberations, and selects award recipients from eligible nominees who meet the award criteria.
General Criteria: Judges and lawyers meet the criteria for these awards if they have combined a professional career with outstanding service and dedication to their communities through voluntary participation in community organizations, government-sponsored activities, or humanitarian work outside of their professional practice.
Contributions may be made in any field, including but not limited to: social service, education, faith-based efforts, sports, recreation, the arts, or politics.
Lifetime Achievement Award Criteria: The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest recogni- tion given by the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism Justice Robert Benham Commu- nity Service Awards Selection Committee. This award recognizes a judge or a lawyer who, in addi- tion to meeting the criteria for receiving the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service, has demonstrated an extraordinarily long and distinguished commitment to volunteer participation in the community throughout his or her legal career.
*UPDATED* Eligibility Criteria - Nominees must:
1. Be a member of the State Bar of Georgia, in good standing, or have been a member, in good standing, at the time of death;
2. Have a record of outstanding community service and continuous service over a period of time to one or more causes, organizations or activities;
3. Not be a member of the Selection Committee, staff of the State Bar of Georgia or Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism; and
4. Not be in a judicial or political race for 2019 and 2020.
(Updated on November 5, 2018, by the Benham Awards Selection Committtee).
5 JUSTICE ROBERT BENHAM AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
THE HONORABLE ROBERT BENHAM JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Justice Robert Benham was the longest serving member of the nine-member Supreme Court of Georgia until his retirement on March 1, 2020. Appointed by Gov. Joe Frank Harris in December 1989, he was the rst African-American ever appointed to the Supreme Court in its more than 140 years. On July 17, 1990, he won statewide election to a full term on the Supreme Court. He served as Chief Justice from 1995-2001, elected by his peers. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Benham served on the Georgia Court of Appeals for ve years. Justice Benham served as the Chair of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism from 1996 through 2001. During his tenure as Chair of the Commission, Justice Benham expanded the de nition of professionalism beyond merely promoting civility between advo- cates to an umbrella concept and structure with essential elements and values. Justice Benham’s dedication to the Commission’s primary charge of assuring that the legal profession in Georgia remains a high calling, enlisted in the service of both client and public good, has been an example for all lawyers for many years.
A lifelong resident of Georgia, Justice Benham was born to Jesse Knox Benham and Clarence Benham in Cartersville, Georgia. He obtained a B.S. in Political Science from Tuskegee University in 1967 and also attended Harvard University. In 1970 he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia, Lumpkin School of Law. He obtained Master of Laws degree from the University of Virginia in 1989.
After completing law school, Justice Benham served in the U.S. Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Captain. He then served brie y as a trial attorney for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. He later returned to Carters- ville, where he engaged in the private practice of law. He served as Special Assistant Attorney General and enjoyed two terms as the President of the Bartow County Bar Association.
Justice Benham is a member of the American Judicature Society, the Lawyers’ Club of Atlanta, the National Criminal Justice Association, and the Georgia Bar Foundation. He is a Trustee of the Georgia Legal History Foundation. He is a past vice president of the Georgia Conference of Black Lawyers, a former board member of the Federal Lawyers Association and of the Georgia Association of Trial Lawyers. He is also the former chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Drug Awareness & Prevention and a member of the National Conference of Chief Justices. He is a member of the Federal-State Jurisdiction Committee and a member of the Governors Southern Business Institute.
Justice Benham is married to the former Nell Dodson of Cartersville and they have two sons and six grand- children. An avid woodworker, Justice Benham enjoys spending his leisure time with his sons, making wooden toys and music boxes. 6 THE HONORABLE HAROLD D. MELTON CHIEF JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA ATLANTA, GEORGIA
On July 1, 2005, Harold D. Melton was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court by Governor Sonny Perdue. He was sworn in as Chief Justice on September 4, 2018, by the late Chief Justice P. Harris Hines.
Prior to joining the Court, Chief Justice Melton served as Executive Counsel to Govenor Sonny Perdue, representing the Governor on legal issues covering the entire scope of state government. Chief Justice Melton helped safeguard Georgia’s interests in water rights disputes with Alabama and Florida, and he actively participated in administration e orts to advance the delivery of criminal justice services in the State.
Before serving as Executive Counsel, Chief Justice Melton spent 11 years in the Georgia Department of Law under two Attorneys General where he dealt with issues ranging from the creation of the Georgia Lottery Corporation to the administration of Georgia’s tobacco settlement. Prior to leaving to join the Governor’s O ce, he served as Section Leader over the Consumer Interests Division.
Chief Justice Melton received a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia in 1991. He previously served as a Volunteer Leader of Young Life Ministries for 11 years and currently serves on a local Young Life Board and on the national board. He is also a Board Member of Atlanta Youth Academies.
A native of Washington, D.C., Chief Justice Melton grew up in East Point and Marietta, Georgia. He currently resides in Atlanta with his wife, Kimberly, and their three children.
7 SELECTION COMMITTEE Janet G. Watts, Chair, Watts & Watts, Jonesboro Joshua Clark Bell, Bell/Payne,LLC, Whigham John Michael Dugan, DRL Law LLC, Greensboro Laverne Lewis Gaskins, Augusta University, Augusta Michael D. Hobbs, Troutman Sanders LLP, Atlanta Hon. Joy Lampley-Fortson, Department of Justice Immigration Court, New Orelans Hon. Chung H. Lee, The Law Office of Lee & Associates PC, Duluth William J. Liss, WXIA Television News, Atlanta Jennifer Mock, The Mock Law Firm, LLC Hon. Herbert E. Phipps (Ret.), Court of Appeals of Georgia, Albany Cindy Wang, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, Decatur Brenda Carol Youmas, Edwards & Youmas, Macon
CHIEF JUSTICE’S COMMISSION ON PROFESSIONALISM Chair Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia
2020-2021 MEMBERS* Ms. LaToya Simone Bell, Warner Robins Professor Patrick E. Longan, Macon Mr. Michael Scott Boone, Atlanta Mrs. Maria Mackay, Watkinsville Professor Nathan S. Chapman, Athens The Honorable Shondeana C. Morris, Decatur Professor Clark D. Cunningham, Atlanta Mr. Andrew Alan Pinson, Atlanta Mr. Gerald M. Edenfield, Statesboro The Honorable William M. Ray, II, Atlanta The Honorable Susan E. Edlein, Atlanta The Honorable Clyde L. Reese III, Atlanta Ms. Elizabeth L. Fite, Decatur Mrs. Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour, Atlanta Ms. Rebecca Grist, Macon Assistant Dean Rita A. Sheffey, Atlanta Mr. Norbert (“Bert”) Daniel Hummel IV, Atlanta Mrs. Nicki Noel Vaughan, Gainesville Mr. Francys Johnson, Jr., Statesboro Dr. Monica L. Willis-Parker, Stone Mountain Ms. Dawn M. Jones, Atlanta
2020-2021 ADVISORS Ms. Jennifer M. Davis Professor Roy Sobelson The Honorable Shawn Ellen LaGrua
2020-2021 LIAISONS Mr. Robert Arrington Mr. James D. Blitch IV Mr. Damon Elmore Ms. Paula J. Frederick STAFF Ms. Kellyn O. McGee Ms. Karlise Y. Grier Ms. Michelle E. West Executive Director *Italics denotes public member/non-lawyer Ms. Dee Dee Worley
8 SELECTION COMMITTEE Janet G. Watts, Chair, Watts & Watts, Jonesboro Joshua Clark Bell, Bell/Payne,LLC, Whigham John Michael Dugan, DRL Law LLC, Greensboro Laverne Lewis Gaskins, Augusta University, Augusta Michael D. Hobbs, Troutman Sanders LLP, Atlanta Hon. Joy Lampley-Fortson, Department of Justice Immigration Court, New Orelans Hon. Chung H. Lee, The Law Office of Lee & Associates PC, Duluth William J. Liss, WXIA Television News, Atlanta Jennifer Mock, The Mock Law Firm, LLC Hon. Herbert E. Phipps (Ret.), Court of Appeals of Georgia, Albany Cindy Wang, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, Decatur Brenda Carol Youmas, Edwards & Youmas, Macon
CHIEF JUSTICE’S COMMISSION ON PROFESSIONALISM e Honorable Harold D. Melton, Chair Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia
2019 - 2020 MEMBERS* Professor Nathan S. Chapman, Athens Maria F. Mackay, Watkinsville Professor Clark D. Cunningham, Atlanta The Honorable Clyde L. Reese III , Atlanta William T. Davis, Atlanta The Honorable William M. Ray, II, Atlanta Gerald M. Edenfield, Statesboro Claudia S. Saari, Decatur The Honorable Susan E. Edlein, Atlanta Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour, Atlanta Elizabeth L. Fite, Atlanta Assistant Dean Rita A. Sheffey, Atlanta Rebecca Holmes Liles Grist, Macon Darrell Lee Sutton, Marietta Associate Dean Sheryl Harrison-Mercer, Atlanta Nicki Noel Vaughan, Gainesville The Honorable Meng H. Lim, Tallapoosa R. Kyle Williams, Decatur Professor Patrick E. Longan, Macon Dr. Monica Willis-Parker, Atlanta
2019 -2020 ADVISORS The Honorable Robert Benham Ms. Jennifer M. Davis Professor Roy Sobelson The Honorable Sarah Hawkins Warren
2019-2020 LIAISONS Mr. Robert Arrington Mr. James D. Blitch IV Mr. Jeffrey R. Davis Ms. Paula J. Frederick STAFF Ms. Kellyn O. McGee Ms. Karlise Y. Grier Ms. Michelle E. West Executive Director *Italics denotes public member/non-lawyer Ms. Dee Dee Worley 9 ADWOA GHARTEY-TAGOE SEYMOUR ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour serves as Assistant General Counsel for Cox Enterprises, Inc., a leading communications and automotive services company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Cox is a global company with more than $20 billion in revenue and 60,000 employees. It has brands that include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Cox Homelife.
As part of Cox’s Litigation Center of Excellence, Adwoa provides counsel to Cox’s management teams on a large and diverse portfolio of litigation matters. She also provides strategic advice regarding the assessment and improvement of general business practices so as to avoid future disputes. As an ACEDS Certified E- Discovery Specialist, her responsibilities also include addressing electronic discovery issues and overseeing the Enterprise’s subpoena response team. Prior to joining Cox, Adwoa was a business litigation and product liability partner at the global law firm of Bryan Cave LLP (now Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP). While in private practice, she successfully litigated in state and federal trial and appellate courts in multiple jurisdictions. She also represented clients in dozens of mediations and successfully arbitrated claims before the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), and the National Arbitration Forum. Adwoa is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Florida.
Adwoa has also demonstrated a long-standing commitment to her profession and community. Adwoa currently serves as a Supreme Court of Georgia appointee to the Chief Justices Commission on Professionalism. She is a Past President of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA) and served for several years on the GABWA Foundation Board, a 501(c)(3) organization founded to facilitate GABWA’s charitable and educational activities. In addition, Adwoa was an active board member of the National Conference for Women’s Bar Associations, serving two terms as Vice President of Membership. She also actively served for several years on the Georgia State University College of Law Alumni Council.
Beyond her service to the legal profession, Adwoa has a strong passion for child advocacy where, for several years, she has represented children, pro bono, in truancy proceedings through the Truancy Intervention Project (TIP) and has served on TIP’s board of directors. In 2019, TIP awarded her with the Judge Glenda A. Hatchett Volunteer of the Year award. She has also served in a leadership capacity over her church’s youth ministry.
Adwoa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs from Miami University and obtained her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Georgia State University College of Law. Adwoa balances her steadfast commitment to the legal profession and her community with her love of being a wife and mother. She is married to Rev. Stanley A. Seymour, Esq. They are the proud parents of two wonderful children, Aba and Xavier.
10 R. KYLE WILLIAMS ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Kyle is a founding partner with the law firm of WILLIAMS TEUSINK, LLC. The firm provides legal counsel and advocacy to clients navigating litigation and transactions concerning real estate, commercial, governmental, and corporate issues.
Kyle is a dirt lawyer focusing on land use and development, zoning, permitting and licensing, construction, and general real estate matters representing individual property owners, nonprofits, neighborhoods, homeowner and condominium associations, real estate builders and developers, real estate agents and brokers, and, other real estate professionals concerning residential and commercial property and development issues. He has represented clients in numerous jury, bench, and arbitration trials throughout Georgia and regularly represents clients before state agencies and local governments on permitting, code enforcement, zoning, licensing, and ad valorem property tax appeals. Kyle also counsels clients on residential and commercial contract and lease negotiation, formation, enforcement, termination, and resulting litigation. Kyle serves as General Counsel to the Downtown Development Authority for the City of Decatur and serves by appointment of the Superior Court of DeKalb County, Georgia as a Special Master in land use, zoning, and other real estate matters, including quiet title actions. Kyle is also a Civil Mediator and Neutral registered with the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution.
Kyle serves by appointment of the President of the State Bar of Georgia on the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism and Lawyer Assistance Program Committee. He has been recognized as a Georgia “Rising Star” and “Super Lawyer” in Litigation, Land Use, and Zoning by Georgia “Super Lawyer” and Atlanta Magazine for more than a decade.
Kyle frequently publishes and teaches about land use, zoning, and real estate matters and has served as a zoning legal expert for Urban Land Institute Atlanta Technical Assistance Panel. Kyle is a Part-Time Instructor at Georgia State University College of Law teaching Real Estate Transactions.
Kyle graduated with honors from The University of Tennessee, Martin with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Tennessee, College of Law concentrating in advocacy and dispute resolution. Kyle is a past member of the Dean’s Circle and Past- Chair of the Alumni Council of his law school. Kyle is the immediate Past-President of the Decatur Business Association and a Past Chair of the Decatur Education Foundation. Currently, Kyle is a member of the Board of Directors of the DeKalb Bar Association, DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, and Council for Quality Growth. He was a member of the Class of 2013 of Leadership DeKalb. 11 RITA C. SPALDING Attorney and Deputy Magistrate Rita C. Spalding, Attorney and Mediator Brunswick, Georgia
Rita C. Spalding is a “double dog” having received both her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (1983) and her Juris Doctor (1986) degree from the University of Georgia. Since 2008, she has managed her own law firm – Rita C. Spalding, Attorney and Mediator – concentrating in mediation and in the preparation and negotiation of leases and contracts, and in representing the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority, Inc., a private nonprofit corporation. Spalding also serves as a part-time Deputy Magistrate Judge in the Glynn County Magistrate Court.
Judge Lisa Godbey Wood wrote when nominating Spalding, “Rita's influence is felt throughout Glynn County.” Susan Ryles, one of Spalding’s endorsers concurred, “It is so refreshing and inspiring to know someone who so selflessly gives of their time, energy, talents and expertise. I am delighted to say that I know Rita Spalding and she is one of those people. . . . . We are very fortunate to have her in our midst.”
Spalding has indeed engaged in a variety of community service activities. Spalding serve on the steering committee of "Forward Brunswick," an organization that supports the economic and community development of downtown Brunswick, Georgia. She also assists the Community Action Authority with Rise Risley, LLC, which is a project to revitalize a historic African-American school in downtown Brunswick. Spalding s also a key member of the Brunswick Downtown Development Authority. She serve on the Board of this active authority whose purpose is to enhance residential and economic opportunities in downtown Brunswick by encouraging diverse people to work as a team. In addition, Spalding a leader in the Downtown Brunswick Mural Project. She led these efforts by commissioning a giant painting of Lady Justice on an exterior wall of her downtown law firm. Since then, Spalding has helped other leaders team-up with artists to enhance the look of the downtown area.
Spalding also actively serves in her faith community. She is a lay Eucharistic minister and visitor. In addition, she is a mentor and coordinator for the diocese of Georgia and St. Mark's Episcopal Church’s Education for Ministry program. Spalding also helps to lead a team of women from the Episcopal church who have established a ministry for young women who attend the College of Coastal Georgia. The meetings have become so popular that the students have asked for more sessions. Spalding also volunteers at the Safe Harbor Children’s Center, which is known in the Brunswick community as a local safe haven for children who have nowhere else to turn. In the past, she has also served as a member of the Safe Harbor auxiliary.
Spalding’s other past community service activities have included co-chairing the Glynn County American Cancer Society fundraiser, serving as Den Leader of Boy Scout Troup 253, volunteering at an Adult Literacy program, serving on an elementary school advisory board, and serving as a Regional Coordinator of a Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition. Spalding was also a 2008 YWCA Tribute to Women Leaders Honoree.
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!"#$%&'())(-/&J#-/;D&'())(*+,#I;&6+/(6-.+,&3,+.%D&T0(##)%&>%+,$(-&(;&-&<%..%,&9)-1%&<%1-";%&=+66(%&(;&-&9-,.&+*&(.B& B&B&BO%,&;%,?(1%&.+&5%,&1+//"6(.:&5-;&<%%6&+".;.-6#(6$&-6#&1+6.(6"+";&%?%,&;(61%&(.&<%$-6&(6&)-3&;15++)B&45%&;%.;&-& ?%,:&5($5&;.-6#-,#&*+,&.5%&,%;.&+*&";&)-3:%,;&.+&.,:&-6#&/%%.&-;&.+&;%,?(1%&.+&+",&1+//"6(.:BU 13 JENNIFER LEIGH WEIZENECKER Jones Day Atlanta. Georgia
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, with highest honors, from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2008. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University in 2011.
In addition to a professional position that has involved working as a trial team member in more than 20 high-profile cases tried to jury verdict in federal and state court, including multiple trials as a second chair, Weizenecker has served as a dedicated volunteer for UNICEF. UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, and to improve the lives of children and their families. UNICEF’s lifesaving work includes providing children education, immunizations, clean water, nutrition, healthcare, and protection.
Jeremy Cole, the Managing Director of the Southeast Regional Offices for UNICEF USA, wrote when he nominated Weizenecker, “Jenn's unwavering commitment to service and volunteering, and her incredible leadership, make her the perfect candidate for this award.” Weizenecker served at UNICEF USA first as the volunteer Founder and Chair of UNICEF NextGen Atlanta, and later as a member of the Southeast Regional UNICEF USA board in Atlanta. UNICEF NextGen, a group of young professionals, has been dedicated to supporting and advocating on behalf of UNICEF's work since its founding. As the Founder of UNICEF NextGen Atlanta, Weizenecker's community service and leadership has made an incredible impact. Weizenecker founded UNICEF NextGen Atlanta starting with just a few friends in 2013. The group has now grown to over 80 members that raise over $150,000 annually for UNICEF. In 2016, UNICEF NextGen Atlanta became just the fourth official group in the country with a Steering Committee. Weizenecker served as the founding chair of the Steering Committee and worked tirelessly to recruit new members and to put on monthly educational events about UNICEF's work. In 2016, UNICEF NextGen Atlanta launched an annual fundraiser - the UNICEF Atlanta Art Party - which has raised almost $100,000 each year since its launch. One of Weizenecker’s endorsers, Dr. Gulshan Harjee, recalled one time when Weizenecker picked up artwork donations from Harjee’s home around 10 p.m. on a weeknight when Weizenecker was just returning from an out of town assignment and then headed out of town again early the next morning.
Because of Weizenecker’s leadership with UNICEF NextGen Atlanta, the UNICEF USA Southeast Regional Board invited her to join the Board in 2016, making her the youngest person to ever serve on the Board. Since then, Weizenecker has served as an active participant in the work of the Board and has helped the Board to raise awareness about UNICEF's work, recruit new board members, and attain its financial goals.
In addition to her work with UNICEF, Weizenecker provides pro bono legal services to asylum seekers including as lead counsel for two asylum merits hearings in 2019. Melody Wilder Wilson, one of Weizenecker’s endorsers wrote: “Apart from UNICEF, Jenn has volunteered, including at the southern border of the United States assisting immigrants with their claims for asylum. Working in difficult circumstances at the border, Jenn has continued to show her dedication to the world's most vulnerable.” Some of the results of Weizenecker's leadership and vision on behalf of UNICEF can be quantified as follows: over 1,000 hours of donated time; over 80 new members of UNICEF NextGen Atlanta; and over $500,000 raised in support of the world's most vulnerable children. Nevertheless, the true impact of Weizenecker's service as a UNICEF volunteer and as a pro bono legal advocate is immeasurable.
In addition to her community service activities, Weizenecker also loves teaching pre-law classes at Georgia Tech, spoiling her senior dog Penny, and traveling with her family and friends. 14
SALLY QUILLIAN YATES Partner King & Spalding LLP Atlanta, Georgia
Sally Quillian Yates works as a Partner on the Special Matters and Government Investigations team at King & Spalding. Prior to joining King & Spalding, Yates was a 27-year veteran of the Department of Justice (DOJ). She rose through the ranks of Assistant United States Attorneys to become U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia – the first woman to serve in that role. She later served as a United States Deputy Attorney General and as the Acting Attorney General. Before entering government service, Yates practiced as a civil litigation associate at King & Spalding. She has also served as a Visiting Distinguished Lecturer at Georgetown University Law Center. Yates received both her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Georgia.
Yates’ volunteerism is a powerful testament to the potential impact of community service. For six years, Yates mentored students as a high school mock trial coach at Therrell High School. One of the students she coached from 1991 – 1995 was Nekia Hackworth Jones who is now the Director of the Atlanta Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Jones recalled, “Sally was busy at the time with the Atlanta corruption cases but she would come in and shine the light on our team’s weakest areas and give us the direction we needed. As a child I did not fully appreciate what it meant for her to come and coach us while juggling toddlers and a busy career.
As an adult, I now understand that she made the sacrifice because she believed in us.” Yates’ mentorship of Jones did not end in high school. In 2015, Yates, while serving as Deputy Attorney General, tapped Jones, by then a Harvard Law School graduate and a seasoned Assistant U. S. Attorney, to work in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in Washington, DC, as Senior Counsel and later as Associate Deputy Attorney General.
Yates’ volunteerism also transformed the way the DOJ engaged with the communities it serves. Rev. A. W. Motley, the senior pastor at Lindsay Street Baptist Church and a Yates supporter, shared that during her tenure as the U.S. Attorney in Atlanta she started a re-entry program called New Beginnings. While her position as a U.S. Attorney afforded her the visibility to help launch the program, it was not part of her official duties. New Beginnings, said Rev. Motley, gave ex- offenders options and opportunities to get assistance as they re-entered society after incarceration. They could get a G.E.D., get enrolled in college, or get some job training. Whatever interest they voiced, continued Motley, the New Beginnings team would try and get them into that field. He said it was one of the finest programs for meeting ex-offenders at their point of needs, ambitions and skills he had ever encountered. Motley said, “She was known for being a tough prosecutor; at the same time she was known as having a heart of compassion. She is one of the people for whom I have unlimited admiration," he said.
Dr. Danielle Whylly, the Community Outreach Specialist for Atlanta’s U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Yates took the New Beginnings concept with her to the DOJ in Washington, DC. The concept became a model for other U.S. Attorney’s offices that wanted to work with their local communities to address the root causes of crime and recidivism. Whylly noted that Yates also tackled the beginning of the prison pipeline through the Everybody Wins Atlanta program by reading to elementary school students who were reading below grade level. Even today, Whylly shared, employees of Atlanta’s U.S. Attorney’s Office volunteer their time to read to children because of Yates’ example.
Yates current volunteer activities are numerous. She co-chairs the Board of Trustees of the Council on Criminal Justice. Yates also serves on the Board of the Ethics & Compliance Initiative. In addition, she serves on the Board of Project Healthy Minds. Yates frequently volunteers to speak about issues related to criminal justice reform, the role of democratic institutions in our society, the rule of law, judicial independence, voting, and suicide prevention.
Yates is married to Comer Yates. They have two children, a daughter, Kelley Malone and a son, James "Quill" Quillian.
15
P R O G R A M M E
Saturday, June 26, 2021 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES KARLISE Y. GRIER
MUSICAL PRELUDE
CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTION OF CHIEF Karlise Y. Grier, Executive Director, JUSTICE HAROLD D. MELTON Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism
WELCOME AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT The Honorable Harold D. Melton OF CO-SPONSORS Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia REMARKS AND SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
INTRODUCTION OF BILL LISS AND JUSTICE BENHAM Karlise Y. Grier INTERVIEW
BILL LISS AND JUSTICE BENHAM VIDEO A Conversation with
William (“Bill”) J. Liss, Esq., Special Assignment and Consumer Editor, WXIA-TV (NBC); Volunteer Attorney, Georgia Justice Project; and Member, Benham Awards Selection Committee
The Honorable Robert Benham Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia (Ret.)
PRESENTATION OF A SMALL TOKEN OF THANKS TO Karlise Y. Grier JUSTICE BENHAM FROM COMMISSION AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARD PRESENTATIONS
PRESENTATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS Chief Justice Harold D. Melton Justice Robert Benham (Ret.) Karlise Y. Grier DISTRICT AWARDS (Viewing of Honoree Video followed by 1 minute remarks from Honoree)
JUDICIAL DISTRICT 1 Ms. Rita C. Spalding, Brunswick
JUDICIAL DISTRICT 3 The Honorable Connie L. Williford, Macon
JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5 Ms. Jennifer Leigh Weizenecker, Atlanta
Ms. Sally Quillian Yates, Atlanta
JUDICIAL DISTRICT 7 The Honorable Robert Dale Leonard II, Marietta
JUDICIAL DISTRICT 10 The Honorable Donarell R. Green, IV, Athens
16
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS (Viewing of Honoree Video followed by 2 minute remarks from Honoree or Family Member)
Mr. Thomas William Malone, Atlanta (presented posthumously to Mr. Adam Malone)
Ms. Jacqueline L. Payne, Marietta
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Karlise Y. Grier
CLOSING REMARKS Chief Justice Harold D. Melton
MUSICAL POSTLUDE
17
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/+%%)&%)#(+4%+&*)#&859%)4E=,*+>%&=(")5F&=(HH3443()%+0&e635*&Q9(+)5()0&B+(5%^&_'"+3)$&HF&5%)"+%&()&59%& 859%)4&=,*+>%&=(")5F&@A9((,&L(*+#0&1&4*B&V+459*)#&D"45&9(B&A(HH355%#&`/+%%)a&B*4&5(&("+&F(")$&C%(C,%.&?%&34& *,B*F4& B3,,3)$& 5(& 9%,C& ("+& F(")$& C%(C,%& H%%5& 59%3+& C(5%)53*,& IF& B(+>3)$& #3+%A5,F& B359& 59%H.& 84& *& F(")$& 87+3A*)E8H%+3A*)&*55(+)%F0&'()*+%,,&9*4&9%,C%#&A9*)$%&59%&,36%4&(7&9")#+%#4&(7&F(")$&C%(C,%&3)&("+&A(HH")35F& 59+("$9&934&,%$*,&*#6(A*AF&*)#&A(HH")35F&4%+63A%&B(+>.b
!"#$%&/+%%)&34&*&+%A3C3%)5&(7&59%&\(+>&L*4%#&P%*+)3)$&e"545*)#3)$&G%)5(+&8B*+#&7+(H&eA()%%&=(")5F&?3$9& 4A9((,.&84&*)&*55(+)%F0&!"#$%&/+%%)&B*4&(f%)&+%A($)3g%#&IF&59%&@5*5%&L*+&(7&/%(+$3*&()&59%&8))"*,&S+(&L()(& ?()(+&-(,,.&?%&34&*&H%HI%+&(7&59%&\%45%+)&=3+A"35&L*+&844(A3*53()&*)#&8,C9*&S93&8,C9*&M+*5%+)35F0&1)A.
!"#$%&/+%%)&9*4&59+%%&4()4&*)#&59+%%&$+*)#A93,#+%)0&'()*+%,,0&20&G*559%B0&G3,%40&d3*0&d*,*0&*)#&'()*+%,,0&21.&1)& 934&7+%%&53H%&9%&%)D(F4&H"43A0&C*3)53)$0&NKh&I*4>%5I*,,&*5&59%&[G=80&*)#&4C%)#3)$&53H%&B359&934&7*H3,F.&&&& 19 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD THOMAS “TOMMY” WILLIAM MALONE, SR. Trial Lawyer, Malone Law Office, P.C. Atlanta, Georgia (1942 – 2019) The late Thomas “Tommy” William Malone was born and raised in the South Georgia city of Albany. After his education in the Dougherty County Public Schools, he went on to the University of Georgia from 1960 to 1963. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1965 before he graduated from law school; but in 1966, he graduated from the Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law. He passed on October 1, 2019, at the age of 76 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
For more than 50 years, Malone, the founder of Malone Law, successfully litigated cases involving catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death throughout the State of Georgia. In many interviews about his career, however, one of the things he often discussed were the cases he lost in his early years representing mostly African-American or poor White people against Albany’s “power elite.” In one interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC), friend Spencer Lee recalled that when Malone began practicing in his father’s firm in the mid 1960s he was drawn to the medical malpractice cases that most lawyers loathed. This meant, on occasion, going after some of the city’s power elites, or as his son Adam said, “my daddy began suing my granddaddy’s friends.” At times, Malone worked with famed African-American civil rights attorney C.B. King, which also incurred the disapproval of Malone’s father. Malone told the Albany Herald, he didn’t see himself at first as a lawyer who was challenging the status quo. “I didn’t realize I was taking them on immediately, but it ultimately came to me that I was not a very popular person,” he said. Occasionally I’d win one, but most of them I lost. Still, even the losses in court, however painful, were valuable experiences, he said. “I think learning my way around the courtroom through my losses probably taught me more than if I had won them all to start with,” he said. In 1984, after practicing law for almost 19 years, Malone won the second-ever million-dollar verdict in Georgia.
Malone went on to obtain a multitude of jury verdicts in excess of one million dollars, One of his record-setting $45 million verdicts changed the way managed care providers operate. But when Malone talked about his more-than- 50-year career, he never focused on money. He talked about “making a difference in people’s lives.” He talked about notes and pictures he’s received from clients who had been able to care for a loved one because of the compensation he secured. He talked about working to create “full justice for all members of society, not just rich people.” And he talked about the unfair “separate but equal” system that he began working to dismantle as he started out in 1965 Albany. “I was part of the destruction of that culture,” Malone said in another interview.
Malone was not only well regarded for his courtroom skills, but also for the countless number of causes he supported with his generosity of time, talent and capital. For example, Malone established several scholarships during his lifetime, including the Rosser Malone Endowed Scholarship, which was established to honor Malone’s father, Rosser Malone and which is awarded to Mercer Law students with demonstrated financial need who are in good academic standing. Malone also established the Petrona Underwood Malone Scholarship Fund at Shorter College, which was set up in honor of Malone’s mother and is dedicated to assisting bright students who are in financial need.
Since 2002, Malone supported the Shepherd Spine Center, now known as the Shepherd Center, and its Foundation, on whose Board of Trustees he served for many years. He took a personal interest in and worked to improve the lives of those struck by the tragedy of spinal cord injuries. When he served on the Shepherd Foundation Board of Trustees from 2011 – 2014, Malone worked with the hospital's injury prevention program to educate youth about the dangers 20 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD THOMAS “TOMMY” WILLIAM MALONE, SR. Trial Lawyer, Malone Law Office, P.C. Atlanta, Georgia (1942 – 2019)
(Con't) of driving while distracted, especially the perils of cell phone use while at the wheel. He also worked to educate youth about jumping into water “feet first,” about seat belt use and about other ways to decrease the risk of spinal cord and brain injury. Malone also helped to introduce the Center to Atlanta’s corporate and legal community and encouraged those groups to continue his legacy of support for the Center. In 2017, the Shepherd Center Foundation honored Malone, along with his wife Debbie, as its Angel of the year. Dr. Donald Peck Leslie, the Medical Director Emeritus, of the Shepherd Center said, “Sometimes I feel like I took Tommy for granted. He never missed a meeting and his level of involvement and engagement is what every non-profit leader wants and needs on their board. He had a great deal of compassion for our patients and their families. He was concerned with how to make Shepherd a better place for the people we serve. He was ready to do something before he was asked and Tommy himself often came up with things to do. He was very philanthropic, very generous and very compassionate.”
Malone was also a long-time supporter of Mercer University, and served as a Member of the University’s Board of Trustees from 2006-2017. Malone became Chairman of the Board in 2015, and served his complete term until 2017, even after receiving a diagnosis of terminal stomach cancer in 2016. William D. Underwood, President of Mercer University recalled Malone’s servant leadership as follows: ”As a trustee, he gave himself fully to the task of building a great university. He committed his time. He committed his talent. And, he committed his resources. Today, Tommy lives on through the great institutions that he helped build and mold – through our work at Mercer University in empowering the lives of future generations.”
From 2013-2017, Malone served on The Carter Center Board of Councilors, a leadership advisory group that works to advance understanding of and support for The Carter Center and its activities among private-sector opinion leaders in Atlanta and Georgia. Another beneficiary of Malone's philanthropy was the Just The Beginning Foundation, a pipeline organization led by minority members of the federal judiciary, with the aim of improving the representation of minorities in the profession. Malone served as co-chair of the organization's 2010 Annual Conference, which met in Atlanta. Over the years, he raised and donated tens of thousands of dollars for the Foundation.
In an interview with G. Steven Henry, Malone was once asked, “What is your motto?” Malone responded, “There is no greater reward than being able to make a meaningful difference in the quality of life of another person.” Of his many accomplishments and successes, Malone was most proud of his family. His devoted wife of 32 years, Debbie, was the love of his life. Their chance encounter in a grocery store blossomed into one of the greatest love stories ever told. Tommy believed his success in life would not have been possible without the love and support of Debbie and his two sons, Tommy, Jr. and Adam, and each of his precious grandchildren: Maddie, Emilie, Rosser, and Kennedy.
21 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD MS. JAQUELINE "JACKI" L. PAYNE Managing Attorney, Kinship Care Project Atlanta Legal Aid Society Marietta, Georgia
Jacqueline "Jacki" L. Payne has spent almost all of her 38-year legal career as a lawyer for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society where she has devoted her time and talents to helping low-income, vulnerable, and often minority families and to protecting victims of domestic violence.
Payne has also spent most of her professional life serving others in her community. Her recent and ongoing service includes serving on the Board of the Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability, serving on the Marietta Schools Foundation Board, serving as a member of the 10 Women of Hope, being active in her church and leading American Cancer Society walk teams. In the past she taught Sunday school, served as a Girl Scout leader for a group of twenty rambunctious eight and ten year old girls, served on the PTA at several levels, and served on the Atlanta- Fulton Commission on Children and Youth. Payne genuinely enjoys serving others and is always looking for ways to help.
Payne often uses her experiences at Atlanta Legal Aid, both legal and social, as she volunteers with and leads other community organizations that seek to benefit the same population. One such organization is Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability (ISDD). ISDD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004. ISDD's mission is to create healthier outcomes for vulnerable children and families through programs that assist parents, grandparents and caregivers. ISDD serves two particularly vulnerable populations: children with disabilities being raised in kinship families (primarily grandparents) in parent-absent homes and children who have experienced homelessness.
Payne has served on the ISDD Board of Directors since 2017, and currently serves as ISDD’s Board Vice Chair. During an important growth period for ISDD as part of ISDD’s strategic plan to strengthen the Board and expand the organization, since 2017, with Payne's help and leadership, ISDD has expanded from a staff of 2.5 full-time employees to a staff of 5 full-time employees, and from a budget of $271,000 to a budget of $513,000 - a 50% increase in staff and a 47% increase in our operating budget. This has helped ISDD to provide services to more families. Payne’s service to ISDD does not just stop in the boardroom, however. According to ISDD’s Executive Director, Rainie B. Jueschke, Payne is a hands-on volunteer, willing to step in as necessary. She says ISDD can always count on Payne to help out at ISDD events, whether it is distributing food and clothing to low-income kinship or grand families or helping with a Family Fun Day outing, or an annual school-supply drive. “Payne makes time for us and the families we serve” says Jueschke. She continues, “We are so very grateful for Jacki's leadership on our board of directors and as a volunteer. It's hard to imagine where we would be right now without her gifts of time, talent and treasure.”
In addition, to her more recent work with ISDD, Payne (a public interest lawyer and a single mother of three daughters) is also a founding member of 10 Women of Hope, which was formed in 2007. 10 Women of Hope is a volunteer group with no operations costs – it has no building, no phone, and no staff. The mission of 10 Women of Hope is to provide one-time financial support to stable, single-parent families in
22 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD MS. JAQUELINE "JACKI" L. PAYNE Managing Attorney, Kinship Care Project Atlanta Legal Aid Society Marietta, Georgia
(Con't) Cobb County who are experiencing a critical need. The organization’s work is accomplished by 10 dedicated women who are volunteers and who want to make a difference in the life of a single parent experiencing unexpected financial needs. Penny Warren, another member of the 10 Women of Hope says, “Jacki deals with our partners when they refer cases and [she leads] fundraisers for our two events and [she] has been our board chair for several years. She is fully dedicated to our mission. Being a charter member for 13 years is a highlight but her work ethic and time dedicated to this wonderful non-profit has never stalled or decreased in activity.”
Payne’s volunteer service does not end with ISDD or 10 Women of Hope. Attorney Carlos Rodriguez knows Payne best for her dedicated effort over the last 10 years as a member of the Marietta Schools Foundation Board of Directors. The Marietta Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the mission of the Marietta City school system of providing educational excellence and achievement for the students, faculty, staff, and administrators of the school system. Rodriguez says Payne served as President of the Marietta Schools Foundation from 2014 to 2016, and she continues to give generously of her time and energy. Payne’s volunteer service also extends to her faith community. Payne has been a member of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Atlanta, Georgia for over 30 years. She actively serves in the church as a teacher and mentor to the church’s middle school youth, as a substitute Sunday-school teacher, as an ardent member of the choir, and as a team leader for the church’s Altar Guild. Payne also volunteers her legal talents at community events. Michelle Jordan, Payne’s colleague at Atlanta Legal Aid, says of Payne, “Every year she coordinates holiday gifts for low-income families, in many cases wrapping and delivering the gifts herself.” Michelle also shares that in 2019, Payne helped to coordinate one of the Family Law Section's pop-up clinics to provide free legal advice to the community and observed that Payne also regularly volunteers with the Fulton Family Law Community clinic to provide free family law advice for unrepresented litigants.
In her “day” job as an attorney for Atlanta Legal Aid, Payne has also made a lasting impact. Her nominator, Steve Gottlieb, the Executive Director of Atlanta Legal Aid, writes: “One of Jacki's contributions to Atlanta Legal Aid was to help create the Kinship Care Project, which she now manages. This project helps grandparents and other relatives adopt children they are raising . . . . Jacki recognized the need for this work after seeing the number of children being raised by grandparents and other relatives after they had been abandoned, abused, or orphaned by AIDS.”
Julie McGowan, a former paralegal with Atlanta Legal Aid, writes: “I often find myself wondering how someone can add more hours to a day to complete all that [Jacki] feels purposed to do. But she does it. It isn't just the amount of time spent that speaks volumes. It's the quality of time.” Attorney Carlos Rodriguez’s comment about Payne embodies one of the reasons Justice Benham wanted to establish the community service awards. Rodriguez observes: “Jacki has been an example and role model to me for how a lawyer with a servant's heart should meaningfully contribute to improving our community.”
Payne received her B.A. in Sociology/ Criminology, cum laude, from Spelman College in May 1977, and her J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1980. She is the proud mother of three daughters, Alexis, Brooke and Jordan, and grandmother to three grandsons, William, Gavin and Grant.
23 Michael L. Chidester, Byron Gordon L. Joyner, Atlanta Tomieka R. Daniel, Byron Deepa Subramanian, Atlanta Jonathan A. Alderman, Macon Sarah L. Gerwig-Moore, Macon District 6 Award Recipients Clarence Williams, III, Warner Robins Denise F. Hemmann, Jackson Ruth A. Knox, Macon Hon. Eugene E. Lawson, Jonesboro Lifetime Achievement Award J. Michael Cranford, Macon Hon. William H. Ison, Jonesboro Recipients Nancy Terrill, Macon J. Byrd Garland, Jackson Henry Troutman, Atlanta Camille Hope, Macon Hon. Stephen E. Boswell, Jonesboro James C. Brim, Jr., Camilla Erikka B. Williams, Bonaire James J. Dalton, II, Jonesboro Hon. Arthur M. Kaplan, Dunwoody Charles E. Jones, Fort Valley Avery T. Salter, Jonesboro Hon. Robert Benham, Atlanta Cheryl L. Milton, Macon Hon. William Hal Craig, McDonough John B. Milller, Savannah Hon. Christopher C. Edwards, Fayetteville Upshaw C. Bentley, Jr., Athens District 4 Award Recipients Rudjard M. Hayes, Tyrone Miles J. Alexander, Atlanta Hon. Alvin T. Wong, Decatur Angela M. Hinton, Fayetteville Willis A. DuVall, Edison Gloria L. Johnson, Decatur Hon. Robert M. Crawford, Thomaston C. Thompson Harley, Augusta Gwendolyn R. Keyes, Decatur Cindy S. Manning, Peachtree City Frank B. Strickland, Atlanta Hon. Robin S. Nash, Decatur Hon. A.J. Welch, Jr., McDonough Hon. Griffin B. Bell, Atlanta Hon. Gregory A. Adams, Decatur Tommy T. Holland, Jonesboro George T. Brown, Jonesboro Nisha K. Karnani, Dunwoody John F. Sweet, Atlanta Hon. Mark A. Scott, Decatur District 7 Award Recipients David H. Gambrell, Atlanta Hon. Johnny N. Panos, Decatur J. Anderson Davis, Rome Joseph R. Bankoff, Atlanta Hon. Nancy Nash Bills, Conyers Richard J. Lundy, Cedartown John S. Lewis, Cartersville Vivica M. Brown, Stone Mountain Constance McManus, Marietta Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, Decatur Hon. Asha F. Jackson, Decatur Hon. Adele L. Grubbs, Marietta Alan Tanenbaum, Atlanta C. Talley Wells, Decatur W. Allen Separk, Marietta Juanita Powell Baranco, Lithonia Nora L. Polk, Decatur Robert A. Cowan, Dalton Edward J. Hardin, Atlanta Thua Barlay, Decatur Cindi L. Yeager, Marietta Hon. Neal W. Dickert, Augusta Hon. Dax E. Lopez, Decatur Nathan J. Wade, Marietta Hon. Horace J. Johnson, Jr., Covington Michael Thurmond, Stone Mountain J. Kevin Moore, Marietta Senator Leroy R. Johnson, Atlanta La’Keitha D. Carlos, Decatur Justin B. O’Dell, Marietta Hon. Robert W. Chasteen, Jr., Fitzgerald Hon. Clarence F. Seeliger, Decatur William L., Lundy, Sr., Cedartown Avarita Hanson, Atlanta Maziar Mazloom, Marietta Hon. Willie J. Lovett, Jr. Atlanta District 5 Award Recipients Hon. J. Lane Bearden, Calhoun Hon. P. Harris Hines, Marietta Hon. Marvin S. Arrington, Sr., Atlanta John T. Longino, Waleska W. Terence Walsh, Atlanta Rep. Christian A. Coomer, Cartersville District 1 Award Recipients Peter K. Daniel, Atlanta Damon E. Elmore, Lithia Springs Frederick D. Lee, Ellabell Don C. Keenan, Atlanta Thomas David Lyles, Dallas Albert Mazo, Savannah Donald P. Edwards, Atlanta Stephanie L. Steele, Marietta Lisa L. White, Savannah Jesus A. Nerio, Atlanta Elsie R. Chisholm, Savannah Jeff D. Woodard, Atlanta District 8 Award Recipients Hon. Louisa Abbot, Savannah Gregory N. Studdard, Atlanta E. Roy Lambert, Madison Carlton A. DeVooght, Brunswick Hon. T. Jackson Bedford, Atlanta Samantha F. Jacobs, Metter Michael L. Edwards, Savannah Hon. Thelma Wyatt Moore, Atlanta Jehan Y. El-Jourbagy, Monticello Hon. James F. Bass, Jr., Savannah Albert J. Bolet, III, Atlanta Dexter M. Wimbish, Madison Rebecca Crowley, Waycross John A. Pickens, Atlanta Hon. John J. Ellington, Soperton Howard E. Spiva, Savannah F. Sheffield Hale, Atlanta District 9 Award Recipients Wanda Andrews, Savannah Cynthia Hinrichs Clanton, Atlanta Lovett Bennett, Jr., Statesboro Jacquelyn H. Saylor, Atlanta Leon Boling, Cumming Christopher K. Middleton, Savannah David M. Zacks, Atlanta Hon. Frank C. Mills, Canton T. Mills Fleming, Savannah Christian F. Torgrimson, Atlanta Wendy J. Glasbrenner, Gainesville Denise M. Cooper, Savannah Antavius M. Weems, Atlanta Hon. James E. Drane, Canton Patrick T. O’Connor, Savannah Hon. Herbert E. Phipps, Atlanta Hon. Kathlene F. Gosselin, Gainesville Robert F. Mikell, Statesboro Luis A. Aguilar, Atlanta Hon. Cliff L. Joliff, Gainesville Douglas M. Towns, Atlanta Therese G. Franzén, Norcross District 2 Award Recipients Linda T. Muir, Atlanta John Acklin Gram, Gainesville Robert M. Clyatt, Valdosta Christopher Glenn Sawyer, Atlanta David L. Cannon, Jr., Canton Cheryle Thompson Bryan, Ashburn Julie M. T. Walker, Atlanta Mark O. Shriver, IV, Woodstock Suzanne P. Mathis, Lakeland Denise Cleveland-Leggett, Atlanta Hon. M. Anthony Baker, Canton Kenneth B. Hodges, III, Albany Judith A. O’Brien, Atlanta Eric A. Ballinger, Canton Roy W. Copeland, Valdosta William Barwick, Atlanta Hon. Chung Hun Lee, Duluth Michael S. Bennett, Sr., Valdosta Michael Hobbs, Jr., Atlanta Peter A. Gleichman, Woodstock Joseph K. Mulholland, Bainbridge Amy J. Kolczak, Atlanta Nicki Noel Vaughan, Gainesville Laverne L. Gaskins, Valdosta Nancy Whaley, Atlanta Hon. Kathryn M. Schrader, Lawrenceville Hon. James E. Hardy, Thomasville Anne W. Lewis, Atlanta Julia K. Greene, Greensville Charles W. Lamb, Jr., Albany William B. Hill, Jr., Atlanta District 10 Award Recipients D. Bradley Folsom, Valdosta Noni Southall Ellis, Atlanta Michael S. Meyer von Bremen, Albany Hon. Steve C. Jones, Athens Michael W. Tyler, Atlanta John M. Clark, Elberton Hon. Joe C. Bishop, Albany Hon. Kimberly Esmond Adams, Atlanta John Randall Hicks, Valdosta Edward D. Tolley, Athens Peter J. Anderson, Atlanta Dennis C. Sanders, Thomson Karen B. Baynes-Dunning, Albany Audra A. Dial, Atlanta Gregory W. Edwards, Albany Hon. Duncan D. Wheale, Augusta Marquetta J. Bryan, Atlanta David B. Bell, Augusta Christopher S. Cohilas, Albany Charles T. Huddleston, Atlanta Christina L. Folsom, Valdosta Walter James Gordon, Sr., Hartwell Hon. Patricia M. Killingsworth, Atlanta David E. Hudson, Augusta District 3 Award Recipients Mr. Ernest Lamont Greer, Atlanta Hon. Samuel D. Ozburn, Covington Ms. Vannessa I. Hickey-Gales, Atlanta Victor Y. Johnson, Danielsville George M. Peagler, Jr., Americus Mr. Philip E. Holladay, Jr., Atlanta William C. Rumer, Columbus, Laura C. Nehf, Athens Harold E. Franklin, Jr., Atlanta J. Edward Allen, Jr., Athens Ira L. Foster, Macon Dawn M. Jones, Atlanta Rebecca C. Moody, Warner Robins Hon. Lawton Stephens, Athens Jeffrey Y. Lewis, Atlanta Hon. J. Virgil Costley, Jr., Covington Hon. William P. Adams, Macon W. Scott Sorrels, Atlanta Hon. Maureen C. Gottfried, Columbus Hon. Thomas L. Hodges, III, Hartwell Ann Bishop, Atlanta Regina M. Quick, Athens Charles P. Taylor, Warner Robins William Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, Atlanta Lee Robinson, Macon Robert B. Remar, Atlanta 24 VOLUNTEERS
Sparkle Adams Aisha Hill Meisa Pace Sara Alexandre Jinah Huh JaeHyeong Park Hon. Phinia Aten Rebekah James Tabitha Ponder Beckford Norman Barnett Robbie Johnson JJ Poole Laurel Boatright Jeongmin Kim Ianna Richardson Stephanie Bonner-Wiggins SangMyung Kwak Renee Richardson Destiny Burch Ashley Lewis Aaron Rogers Andrew Choi Ashley Lindsey Phil Sandick Loretta Clark Elijah Major William Stiles Chloe Coleman Elijah Manurung Carlos Vilela Monica Daniel Abbey Martin Rochelle Walker Jena Emory Hon. Carla Wong McMillian Swain Watters Ashley Ferguson Chi Ho Mun Hannah Williams Derek Ferwerda Jennifer Martinez Perez Terriea Williams Beverly Fratto Jasmine Martinez Perez Tiffany Williams Vanessa Gales Sedaries Mathis Amari Wilson Terrica Ganzy LaShawn Murphy Kevin Wilson Layla Ghali Paula Myrick Angie Wright Rheaves ZaLithia Harris Kianne Nicholson Dasom Heo Damilola Olatunde
Thank you to our Committee Co-Chairs! Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs: Ms. Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour Mr. R. Kyle Williams Volunteer Committee Co-chairs: Ms. Jena Emory Ms. Paula Myrick
Visual Arts Committee Chair: Vanessa Hickey Gales 25
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Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center GRAPHIC DESIGN 404-818-4337 direct Christian Ruffin and Tron Hill Winsome Jean [email protected] One Stop Productions winsome-expressions.com 6575 Roswell RD, Suite G, PMB 736 678.283.4923 Atlanta, GA 30328 Chloe Shepherd 404.310.6643 PRINTING Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center onestopproduction.com West End Print Shop westendprintshop.com Edward LaBranche Encore Event Technologies 404.752.7625 Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center at Omni Atlanta Hotel as CNN
PHOTOGRAPHER Center VIDEOGRAPHER Don Morgan 100 Center | Atlanta, GA 30303 Vince Bailey Don Morgan Photography donmorganphotography.com Vince The Voice LLC LIVESTREAM 770.819.0881 https://vincebaileyproductions.com Dan Sawyer 770.864.7135 Industrial Communications (706) 310-0526 [email protected]
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to Chief Justice Harold D. Melton, Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren, Justice Shawn Ellen LaGrua, and Justice Robert Benham (Retired) for your example and for your continuing support and guidance regarding all things professionalism. Thank you to Mr. Bill Liss and Mr. Stephen Boissy of WXIA-TV for filming and editing the conversation with Justice Benham. Thank you to Members, Advisors, and Liaisons of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism and to the Members of the Benham Awards Selection Committee for your service. Thank you to Nicholas Willams, Jordyn Irons, and Malisa Heard for providing staff support for the Commission. 27 CongratulationsLIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS THOMAS WILLIAM MALONE JACQUELINE L. PAYNE ATLANTA MARIETTA Posthumously Received
DISTRICT AWARDS
DISTRICT 1 RITA C. SPALDING, BRUNSWICK
DISTRICT 3 CONNIE L. WILLIFORD, MACON
DISTRICT 5 JENNIFER LEIGH WEIZENECKER, ATLANTA
SALLY QUILLIAN YATES, ATLANTA
DISTRICT 7 HON. ROBERT DALE LEONARD II, MARIETTA
DISTRICT 10 DONARELL RHEA GREEN IV, ATHENS