Access to Justice Conference Guide National Association of Women Judges 39th Annual Conference October 11-15, 2017 I Atlanta, GA I Sheraton Atlanta Hotel Welcome Message From the Conference Chairs Dear Friends: Welcome to Atlanta! Once again, we are proud to host We are delighted to host a number of judges who will a conference of the National Association of Women be attending NAWJ’s conference for the first time and Judges. Some of you may remember the NAWJ from other countries. We look forward to hearing from Midyear Conference in 2009 when we showcased them about their personal experiences on and off the the latest challenges facing child well-being while bench. Networking has always been an important part visiting Atlanta’s famous Buckhead neighborhood. of these meetings and we expect the receptions and Since 2009, there have been many changes in Atlanta, the hospitality room to provide a wonderful ambience including the revitalization of downtown where we for these opportunities. We look forward to sharing will be located. Conference attendees will have the these experiences with you and hope that you will opportunity to visit the beautiful and historical Elbert P. return home, enriched in mind and spirit, with many Tuttle U.S. Court of Appeals Building, the South Fulton new friends. Municipal Regional Jail, and the Carter Center, and participate in a Civil Rights Tour of approximately 20 Many thanks to our own President Tanya R. Kennedy significant historic locations. and to our Immediate Past President, the Honorable Diana Becton, our Friends Committee Co-Chairs Allegra This year’s Annual Conference theme is ‘Access to J. Lawrence-Hardy, Esq. and Letitia (Tish) A. McDonald, Justice: Past, Present and Future.’ The subjects covered Esq., and the NAWJ Board of Directors for their by our sessions this year reflect the changes that leadership, assistance and confidence in us. have taken place throughout our society in and out of the courts and include Trauma Informed Courts, Thank you to the hard-working members of a U.S. Supreme Court case update, Labor Trafficking, our Conference Planning Committee and to the Criminal Justice Reform, A View from the Federal Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia for Judiciary, Judicial Ethics and Implicit Bias, the Civil their incredible efforts and contributions of energy in Rights Movement and Today’s Judges, and Hot Topics support of this event. Thank you to all of our speakers in Immigration Law, the LBGTQ Community and and panelists who have given so generously of their Elder Law. Highlighted speakers include prominent time and expertise to make our program deep and Georgians such as, former President Jimmy Carter and meaningful. And finally, a special thanks to Karlise Y. Mrs. Rosalynn Carter; former Deputy Attorney General Grier whose hard work made our jobs so much easier Sally Yates; Linda Klein, Immediate Past President of and whose dedication and care helped to make this the American Bar Association, and retired judge and conference possible. television personality, Glenda Hatchett. With warm regards, Carol Hunstein Sara Doyle Hon. Carol W. Hunstein Hon. Sara L. Doyle Supreme Court of Georgia Court of Appeals of Georgia National Association of Women Judges 39th Annual Conference October 11-15, 2017 I Atlanta, GA I Sheraton Atlanta Hotel Access to Justice Table of Contents Welcome from NAWJ 39th Annual Conference Chairs ....................... Inside front cover NAWJ 39th Annual Conference Planning Committees ....................................... 2 NAWJ 39th Annual Conference Sponsors ................................................... 3 Welcome from NAWJ President ............................................................ 4 Welcome from NAWJ Executive Director ................................................... 4 Conference Schedule of Program and Events ............................................... 5 Conference Participant Biographies ....................................................... 14 Conference Sponsor Greetings and Advertisements ....................................... 32 About the National Association of Women Judges ........................................ 39 National Association of Women Judges Board of Directors ................................. 40 National Association of Women Judges Resource Board and Landmark Sponsors ........... 41 Award: Joan Dempsey Klein Honoree of the Year - Justice Carol W. Hunstein ............... 42 Award: Florence K. Murray Honoree – Linda A. Klein, Esq. .................................. 42 Award: Justice Vaino Spencer Leadership Honoree – Justice Ariane Vuono ................. 43 Award: Mattie Belle Davis Award Honorees – William C.E. Robinson ........................ 43 NAWJ Education and Outreach Programs ................................................. 44 NAWJ 39th Annual Conference 1 39th Annual Conference Planning Committee CONFERENCE CHAIRS Hon. Carol W. Hunstein Hon. Sara L. Doyle Supreme Court Court of Appeals of Georgia of Georgia EDUCATION CHAIRS FRIENDS CHAIRS Hon. Kathlene F. Gosselin Hon. Gail Tusan Hon. Brenda S. Weaver Allegra J. Letitia “Tish” Superior Court, Superior Court of Fulton Superior Court, Lawrence-Hardy, Esq. McDonald Esq. Northeastern Judicial County, Atlanta Judicial Appalachian Judicial Lawrence & Bundy LLC King & Spalding LLP Circuit, Georgia Circuit, Georgia Circuit, Georgia BAR ASSOCIATION RECEPTION CHAIRS SOCIAL CHAIRS Shiriki L. Cavitt, Esq. V. Sharon Edenfield, Esq. Hon. Phinia Aten Hon. Anne Hon. Susan Edlein Equifax Inc. Edenfield, Cox, Bruce, Magistrate Court of Elizabeth Barnes State Court of Edenfield & Colson Rockdale County Court of Appeals of Georgia Fulton County VOLUNTEER CHAIR CONFERENCE SUPPORT Hon. Shondeana Crews Morris Karlise Y. Grier, Esq. State Court of DeKalb County Former Staff Attorney (Contractor) Judicial Council of Georgia/Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia 2 NAWJ 39th Annual Conference National Association of Women Judges 39th Annual Conference October 11-15, 2017 I Atlanta, GA I Sheraton Atlanta Hotel Access to Justice Conference Sponsors ELEVENTH CIRCUIT EVENT BRONZE SUPPORTERS American Constitution Atlanta Bar Association Aaron’s Society for Law & Policy Litigation Section Boyd, Collar, Nolen & Tuggle King & Spalding LLP Baker Donelson Calibre CPA Pope McGlamry David Bell Law Firm Chalmers Pak Burch & Adams Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP The Honorable Ann Walsh Bradley GOLD Carlock Copeland LLP The Honorable Judith C. Chirlin Regina and Charles Cheever CourtCall Dofferymre, Shields, Canfield & Knowles Eversheds Sutherland GeorgiaThe Honorable Defense John Lawyers J. Ellington Association The Honorable Sara Doyle International Trial Lawyers Georgia Trial Lawyers Fellows LaBriola LLP Association Foundation Association The Finnell Firm The Starr Foundation Global Payments Fried Rogers Goldberg LLC State Justice Institute Hasty Pope Henry Spiegel Millings The UPS Foundation Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP Krevolin Horst LLC Oliver Maner LLP Lawler Green Prinz, LLC SILVER Robbins Ross Alloy Belinfante Moraitakis & Kushel, LLP Butler Wooten & Peak LLP Littlefield LLC The Honorable David Nahmias Community Foundation of Northern State Bar of Georgia Virginia, William & Janet L Cohen State Bar of Georgia Committee for Julie Sellers GEICO Inclusion in the Profession Shamp, Speed, Jordan & Woodward Jones Day State Bar of Georgia’s Judicial Section Lawrence & Bundy LLC Stone Law Group NAWJ 39th Annual Conference 3 Welcome From the NAWJ President Dear Members and Friends, countless others who are not featured in any history book. Welcome to NAWJ’s 39th Annual Confer- We are the beneficiaries of their steadfast commitment to the ence, "Access to Justice: Past, Present and nonviolent struggle for civil rights and for equal protection Future," in Atlanta, Georgia, a major focal under the law. point of the modern civil rights move- As we reflect on our present, we celebrate and salute District ment and the only city in the nation to Attorney of Contra Costa County California, Diana Becton, for house two Nobel Peace Prizes – at the King her excellent leadership as NAWJ President, and for her tenacity Center and at the Carter Center. in breaking the glass ceiling to become the first woman and first I extend sincere thanks and congratulations to Conference Chairs person of color to hold this position in the office’s nearly 160 Justice Carol W. Hunstein and Judge Sara L. Doyle and their plan- year history. Her historic appointment serves as a reminder that ning committee for their tireless work in preparing a robust ed- women are continuing to blaze new trails and are reshaping ucational curriculum to assist the judiciary in addressing the our nation and world in spite of existing social, economic and various issues presented throughout the nation’s courts, as well institutional obstacles. as an (optional) excursion and tour schedule for all to enjoy At- NAWJ also recognizes and salutes the 39th President of the United lanta’s rich culture and history. I also extend heartfelt thanks to States, Jimmy Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Sally Yates, the Conference Friends Committee Chairs attorneys Allegra J. Former Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, Lawrence-Hardy and Letitia (Tish) A. Mc Donald and members and Hon. Glenda Hatchett (Retired) for their commitment to civil for their generosity and steadfast support of NAWJ and our mis- rights and for speaking truth to power. sion. Lastly, special thanks to Karlise Y. Grier, Esq., for