August

The U.S. District for the Northern District of Georgia convened for the first time on March 12, 1849. As with all U.S. district courts, the Northern District of Georgia's lineage begins with the Judiciary Act of 1789, which organized the state of Georgia as a single judicial district with a single district judge.

It's safe to say that in its nine-decade history, the Atlanta History Center has never borrowed a phrase from a popular rap song for a marketing slogan. But there it was this spring on a billboard towering over Atlanta's I-75/85 Downtown Connector, in giant mint-colored letters sharing space with blown-up vintage buttons representing Hank Aaron, the Fox Theatre, and other Atlanta icons: "Do It for the Culture."

Bouquets of flowers surround a simple black casket. Wreaths covered in white blooms encircle the space, so much so that those viewing the funeral must stand back several yards.

Over the past decade, international arbitration has grown dramatically as a means of resolving commercial disputes. International arbitration provides an attractive option for parties conducting business in the global market- providing certainty and predictability in jurisdiction, choice of law, and confidentiality, while avoiding national-court bias.

A short drive from this year's FBA National Convention in Atlanta, you will find the Southern District of Georgia. The Southern District of Georgia has a rich history, a diverse geography, and is home to one of the newest FBA Chapters.

The Atlanta Chapter traces its roots to 29 prescient attorneys who petitioned the Federal Bar Association on Aug. 1, 1957, for the privilege to form the Atlanta Chapter. Many of the founders already were or became legends in the Atlanta legal community.

The Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association welcomes you to the 2017 Federal Bar Association's Annual Meeting and Convention. Our Chapter of 300-plus proudly celebrates its 60-year anniversary in conjunction with this great honor of welcoming our nation's FBA members to our unique city.