Volume 54, Issue 4 Young Lawyers Division Summer 2013 YLD Officers President Jon Pannell, Savannah Juvenile Justice Reform in Georgia [email protected] by Amy V. Howell and Melissa D. Carter President-Elect Meaningful change takes courage and patience. during a lunch meeting. Toward the Darrell Sutton, Marietta It requires leadership to be steadfastly committed conclusion of his remarks, he charged [email protected] to a transformative vision. The long arc of juvenile the committee with undertaking a justice reform in Georgia is proof of both points, comprehensive juvenile code rewrite. Treasurer and it all began with an ambitious effort by the He told us that as young lawyers State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division’s committed to this work we were uniquely Sharri Edenfield, Statesboro Juvenile Law Committee (JLC) in 2005. At the positioned to lead the effort, and his [email protected] time we could not have fathomed how thousands of conviction made us believe it. At the people and hundreds of organizations would come time we expected our approach would Secretary to see themselves as invested stakeholders in a mirror the code revision projects of other John Ryd Bush “Jack” Long, Augusta public conversation about what is best for Georgia’s Bar sections. The task at hand seemed [email protected] children. Nor could we have anticipated the diversity deceptively straightforward: get funding, of challenges ahead or the depth of patience the effort hire a reporter, draft a code, work with Immediate Past President would require to come to fruition. Though the project stakeholders to get feedback, revise Stephanie Joy Kirijan, Atlanta started with the YLD, the beauty of the result is that and release the code and then develop it belongs to everyone. Countless individuals have legislation. We would like to think our [email protected] played critical roles in the reform. Now, through the naïve drive in purpose protected us from Newsletter Editors leadership of Gov. Nathan Deal, Lt. Gov. Casey being discouraged by the enormous task Cagle, Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), at hand. Our lived experience with this Jennifer Blackburn, Atlanta Chief Justice Carol Hunstein, House Judiciary effort and the wisdom of others quickly [email protected] Committee Chair Wendell Willard (R-Sandy revealed just how ambitious our timeline Springs) and the members of the Special Council on and project scope were, but we marched Shiriki Cavitt, Atlanta Criminal Justice Reform, juvenile justice reform is going to be a reality. forward undeterred. [email protected] We remember the day when, as co-chairs of the JLC, we invited then- president of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges, Robin Nash, to speak Continued on page 7 Inside this Issue Eleventh Circuit Comes to Georgia The Year in Pictures .................................... 2 Past President Pointers ............................... 2 by Sharri Edenfield Like other federal circuit courts Judge’s Chambers ...................................... 3 of appeals across the country, the 11th Circuit holds a biannual judicial Call to Service ............................................ 3 conference for all federal circuit, district, bankruptcy and magistrate court judges Committee Updates .................................... 4 in Florida, Georgia and Alabama to get together for continuing legal education YLD Spring Meeting .................................. 5 as well as for various presentations by Affiliate YLD Updates................................ 6 notable speakers on relevant topics. Traditionally, a number of lawyers are Editor’s Block ............................................. 8 also invited by the court to attend the conference with the judges as guests of the Court. Former State Bar President Gerald Edenfield and his daughter, YLD Treasurer Sharri Edenfield, were asked to plan events incorporating Georgia younger lawyers into this year’s biannual conference in Savannah. They collaborated with Leadership Academy co-chairs Ivy Cadle and (L-R) U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Hon. Lisa Godbey Wood, Hon. Joel Dubina, Adriana Sola Capifali, as well as State Bar of Georgia Past President Gerald Edenfield, YLD Treasurer Sharri Edenfield, YLD the State Bar of Georgia Executive Leadership Academy co-chairs Ivy Cadle and Adriana Sola Capifali immediately following the 11th Circuit Judicial Conference. Continued on page 7 The Year in Pictures From the Captain 1 2 3 4 5 1. Kimberly and Jon Pannell enjoy St. Simons Island at the YLD Spring Meeting. 2. YLD officers Jack Long, Sharri Edenfield, Stephanie Kirijan, Jon Pannell, Darrell Sutton and Shiriki Cavitt with a U.S. Marine Corps Reservist showcase the toys collected for Toys for Tots at the YLD Holiday Party. 3. Todd Wiggins and Jon Pannell root for the Dawgs at the YLD Fall Meeting. 4. Jon Pannell presents Gov. Nathan Deal with a token of appreciation at the YLD’s annual Legislative Luncheon. 5. Signature Fundraiser co-chairs Karen Kurtz, Jessica Cabral Odom and Sarah White with Jon Pannell at the annual fundraiser. Past President Pointers Below are words of wisdom from various YLD Past Presidents. The application of this advice • If you are fortunate and have office support staff, respect them to one’s career will most certainly lead to both professional and personal success: and be considerate of their time. —S. Kendall Butterworth • With respect to work, there are really just two things: do it right and do it fast. Accomplish • Being involved in the YLD will teach you mostly helpful things that and you’ll be fine. —Stan Brading you would never learn in the four corners of your law office and you are guaranteed to meet some great people. So, learn • The Young Lawyers Division has largely become the service wing of the State Bar of Georgia from the past, plan for the future, but live in the present. due to the energy and enthusiasm of its members and leaders. Younger lawyers are tuned —J. Henry Walker in. Many of the good works by the Bar are done by the members of the YLD. Significant programs like the High School Mock Trial program were born in the YLD. This program has • Speak softly and carry a big stick, but don’t mumble and don’t literally touched thousands of lives of students, teachers, lawyers and judges, and continues swing the stick. —James Hyder Jr. to grow and prosper. Through this work younger lawyers have increased the public’s understanding and appreciation of the law, our courts and the legal system as a whole. • Not long after I began the practice of law, an older lawyer in This is just one example of the many good works of the YLD over the years. Each year YLD Macon told me, “Be nice to all other lawyers because you can officers, directors, committees, council members and members-at-large provide a working never tell who may become a judge.” Although he was giving service to the public, the profession and the bar through an array of projects and programs. this advice at least partly in jest, the recommendation about —John Sammon one’s relationships with other lawyers is wise indeed in my judgment. —Frank C. Jones • There are other jobs where you can make more money, but none where you can be this well paid for just sticking your nose into other people’s business. —Jim Pannell • The way to be a great conversationalist is to be a great listener. The fastest way to endear one’s self to others is to ask • Try not to procrastinate and use your time efficiently. And remember, you can sleep when them questions about themselves. —Walter Bush Jr. you are dead! —Joe Dent • Choose the field of law that interests you most, work hard at it and the money will take care of itself. —Dana Miles 2 The YLD Review Judge’s Chambers Call to Service: Making an Impact, One Pro Bono Take Charge of Your Own Career Client at a Time by Hon. Elizabeth L. Branch, Court of Appeals of Georgia by Tamara Caldas, deputy director, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) What is the best advice that I can give a young lawyer in the midst of a profession that is struggling to adapt to a When I started working at AVLF, most challenging economy? Take charge of your own career. And of my legal experience was gained during this recommendation applies to all young lawyers regardless of the six years I had spent as a staff attorney their type of practice. Before the recession, when most lawyers at the Southern Center for Human Rights. were busy and perhaps overloaded with work, senior attorneys Our legal team crafted litigation strategies were willing to assist associates with developing their legal to address systemic problems in the and marketing skills. The new realities of our profession mean criminal justice system. The cases lasted that young attorneys may find fewer opportunities for career were long, involved multiple parties and development. Accordingly, you must actively pursue billable required significant resources. Federal hours, clients and mentors as soon as you begin your practice. oversight provided some assurance that any relief we secured for our clients would be enforced. It was challenging, rewarding and sometimes terribly Development of Legal Skills frustrating work, especially when the pace of change didn’t match A young lawyer’s main objective should be to develop appropriate legal skills— our sense of urgency about the problem. mastering the law in your subject area and learning how to take depositions, draft contracts and argue your client’s case effectively. And the only way to achieve this I am often asked to compare the work I do at AVLF with what I goal is to engage in these activities as often as possible. Some associates will readily did earlier in my career and my answer has evolved over my many find these opportunities at their firms because the work pipeline is full and partners years here.