Committee News

SECTION:  BRANCH OFFICE

The Branch Office Management Section meets every other month at different firm locations throughout Atlanta.  Members who manage branch or multi-office law firms are encouraged to attend these roundtable discussions. 

Marianne Lawhead
Branch Office Chairperson
mlawhead@sheastokes.com

SECTION:  COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Chapter takes seriously its responsibility to give back and support the community in which we work. The Community Relations Committee sponsors numerous events in an effort to participate in the social growth of our community.  

The Community Service Committee supports the National ALA Annual Community Challenge Weekend and has been a main supporter of the ”My House" program at our annual Business Partner Luncheon.

Once again the Chapter teamed up with Operation Compassion to spread a little holiday cheer to those less fortunate and collected unwrapped toys and donations at the annual holiday luncheon earlier this month.  Operation Compassion is a non-profit organization which not only provides toys and other items for needy families around the entire metropolitan Atlanta area, but feeds over 700 families per month through their food bank. 

Keri Gurty
Community Relations Chairperson
kgurty@afclaw.com

SECTION:  CORPORATE/GOVERNMENT

The Corporate/Government section is a newly formed group focused on the unique challenges facing legal administrators outside of private practice.  Contact Barry Shapiro if you are interested in participating.

Barry Shapiro

Corporate/Government Chairperson

bishapir@GAPAC.com

SECTION:  CLM STUDY GROUP

As one of the Chapter’s newest Certified Legal Managers, James Gillespie will be facilitating a CLM study group in advance of the exam given at ALA Nationa in Montreal next April.  If you are interested in learning about this certification or plan to take the exam, please plan to attend study group sessions held at Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLC.  The dates for these sessions are January 10, February 7, February 21, March 7 and March 21.  Sessions will be held from 12:00 – 2:00 and lunch will be provided.

Those planning to participate in the study group and prepare for the April exam will be given the opportunity to win a CLM Study Guide ($250 value).  Our AALA chapter is so strongly behind this initiative it is providing 4 of these study guides to be given away!   Please see the Chapter Calendar at atlanta-ala.org for sign up and more detailed information. 

James Gillespie
CLM Chairperson
jgillespie@constangy.com

SECTION:  FINANCE

The Finance Section provides educational opportunities and assistance to Chapter members by providing broad-based, industry-wide statistical information relating to law firm financial management.

Michael Haynes
Finance Section Chairperson
mhaynes@cpmas.com

SECTION:  HUMAN RESOURCES

The Human Resources Section meets every other month at Alston & Bird LLP.  Discussion topics include current issues in employment law, employment trends, employee benefits, compensation, and other human resources related topics.  Members also benefit from the exchange of knowledge through guest speakers and roundtable discussions.  The next meeting of the HR Section will be Wednesday, January 11.  The meeting will be a current issues roundtable discussion.  Please see the Chapter Calendar at atlanta-ala.org for sign up and more detailed information. 

Brandi Rose
Human Resource Section Chairperson
bcrose@alston.com

SECTION:  KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

The Knowledge Management section provides an opportunity for members to discuss issues that relate to managing communities pf practice with in law firms.  Programs are designed around knowledge initiatives useful to various departments in law firms such as Information Technology, Marketing, Knowledge Services and Firm Administration.

Nola Vanhoy
Knowledge Management Chair
nola.vanhoy@kutakrock.com

SECTION:  SMALL FIRM

The Small Firm Management Section serves as an educational and networking group for members interested in topics related to management of smaller (1-30 attorneys) law firms.  The format of the meetings varies and includes roundtable discussions, guest speakers, and vendor presentations.

The next meeting for this group is on Wednesday, January 25.  Keisha Hudson, Esq. of Special Counsel will lead the discussion and provide lunch.  This meeting will provide a forum to discuss small office law firm management issues and topics.  Please see the Chapter Calendar at atlanta-ala.org for sign up and more detailed information.

Dina Wolfe
Small Firm Management Section Chairperson
dsw@swbatl.com

SECTION:  VENDOR RELATIONS

The Vendor Relations Committee was formed to address issues between the Atlanta Chapter and its vendors.  The Committee also serves as a liaison between the Chapter's newsletter advertising, web site advertising and Business Partner Luncheon.  The Committee holds yearly focus group meetings with vendor sponsors to gather feedback on how the Chapter is meeting their needs. 

Jeff Hamrick
Director of Vendor Relations
jeffhamrick@wncwlaw.com

Editor: Brian Gedeon (BHGedeon@duanemorris.com) (This publication is the property of the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators. Reproduction or reprint without prior permission is strictly prohibited. Click here to request reprint permission.)

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