Atlanta Chapter’s Plans for the FBA Annual Convention Continue …

The Atlanta Chapter and National are finalizing plans for the FBA's 2007 National Convention, themed “Atlanta Then and Now,” which is scheduled for the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on September 5-8, 2007. The 2007 Convention Planning Committee includes: Honorary Co-Chairs Judge Jack Camp and Judge William O’Kelley, and members Michael Abramson, Linda Amidon, David Bain, Joshua Belinfante, Adrienne Berry, Professor Ron Carlson, Buddy Darden, Meryl Edelstein, Bruce Edenfield, Beryl Farris, Ann Fitz, Render Freeman, Eugenia Gates, Kerri Gildow, Carl Gilmore, Bret Hobson, DeBrae Kennedy, Robert Khayat, Joyce Kitchens, Halsey Knapp, Tom Lacy, Kevin Maxim, Chris Parker, Professor Anne Rector, Matthew Richardson, Robin Sangston, Phil Savrin, Eric Schroeder, Kembra Smith, Marcia Bull Stadeker, Larry Thompson, David Webster, Amy Weil, Kevin Weimer, Sharmela Williams, and David Worley.

This year’s convention will offer the best and most diverse CLE courses presented at annual conventions in years, covering such topics federal class action practice, the role of today's corporate general counsel, e-discovery issues, hot topics in intellectual property law, using an environmental conflict resolution specialist, effective advocacy in the federal appellate courts, a preview of the upcoming term of the U.S. Supreme Court, ethics and professionalism under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, the universal standard of civility, civil rights cases including a historic perspective of Atlanta cases, recent developments in employment law and trends in claims under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Kerri Gildow of Rogers and Hardin and Chris Parker of Mozley Finlayson and Loggins chair the CLE Committee.

As for FUN, chair Linda Amidon and her Events Committee have planned a “southern style” dinner/ reception at the Margaret Mitchell House for Thursday evening, September 6th, complete with BBQ and the sounds of Blue Grass band, Packway Handle. A cocktail reception is planned for Friday evening, September 7th, at the High Museum of Art, where attendees will experience the “Now” and the wow of Atlanta. In addition to music, food and drinks in the beautiful Weiland Lobby, attendees will be able to view the several new exhibits of the museum, including a special exhibit of Annie Leibovitz photographs: Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life, 1990–2005.

The Convention’s big event is always the Saturday Night Banquet, with the swearing of officers and award presentations. Plans are still underway for this event, but rest assured it will be done in classic Atlanta style and tradition. Eric Schroeder of Powell, Goldstein LLP is chairing the Banquet Committee.

Under the direction of Phil Savrin of Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP and Robin Sangston of Cox Communications, Inc. the Fundraising Committee to date has raised over $100,000 for the event. Due to their success, the committee has now reset their goal to $125,000.
Contributors to date include:

Underwriting Sponsor
LexisNexis

Gold Sponsors
Dow Lohnes PLLC
Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
King & Spalding LLP
Kitchens New LLC
PepsiCo Inc.
Troutman Sanders LLP

Silver Sponsors
Cox Communications
Long Law Firm
Powell Goldstein LLP
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
Wargo & French LLP

Bronze Sponsors
Andersen Tate & Carr
Andrew M. Scherffius PC
Carr & Palmer
Fellows, Johnson & La Briola LLP
Foltz Martin LLC
Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP
Merchant & Gould
Rogers & Hardin LLP
Toler & Hanrahan LLC

Contributors
Amy Weil
Gray, Hedrick & Edenfield LLP
Hall Booth Smith & Slover PC
Linda Amidon
The Cherry Law Firm PC