Committee Information and 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 recently has been a main supporter of the ”My House" program at our annual Holiday Party and Business Partner Luncheon.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 15 when the AALA will participate with national in ALA’s 7th Annual Community Challenge Weekend. Look for more details soon.

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, and be sure to attend the Corporate/Government Fall Forum in Las Vegas this November. See the main ALA website for details.

Barry Shapiro
Corporate/Government Chairperson
bishapir@GAPAC.com

SECTION: CLM STUDY GROUP

The CLM Study Group assists members who are planning to take the CLM certification exam and provides continuing legal education for AALA members. This section is open to all members of AALA, regardless if you are planning to take the CLM examination.

Look for an announcement concerning a kick-off meeting scheduled for early December. Study groups will be held regularly leading up to the CLM exam at the ALA convention April, 2006 in Montreal.

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.

The next meeting for this group is Wednesday, September 28 and is a combined meeting with the Small Firm Section. The meeting will be held at Cohen Pollock Merlin Axelrod & Small, P.C. Please see the Chapter Calendar at atlanta-ala.org for sign up and more detailed information.

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.

This group will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, September 14 at the offices of Alston & Bird. Guest speaker Dr. Karen Foster will present a program on workplace issues. 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 (1-25 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 Wednesday, September 28 and is a combined meeting with the Accounting/Finance Section. The meeting will be held at Cohen Pollock Merlin Axelrod & Small, P.C. 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.

Be sure to go to the Chapter Calendar at atlanta-ala.org to register for the Annual Business Partnership Luncheon and Exhibition held at the Cobb Galleria Centre on August 16.

Jeff Hamrick
Director of Vendor Relations
jeffhamrick@wncwlaw.com

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