YLD Committees

To join a YLD Committee or Committees, please fill out a membership application available below as a PDF file and return to the YLD office. Membership on a committee is good through one Bar year (June to June).

2009-10 YLD Committee Brochure and Sign-Up

Advocates for Students with Disabilities
This committee provides technical support and networking opportunities to the community of attorneys whose practice or passion includes students with disabilities and their families. The committee works to expand the number of attorneys for this practice area and to provide continuing education opportunities. The committee also provides support on issues such as estate planning, civil rights, health care issues, power of attorneys, juvenile justice and guardianships.

Leslie K. Lipson, co-chair
Georgia Advocacy Office, Inc.
One Decatur Town Center
150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 430
Decatur, GA 30030
404-885-1234 Fax: 770-414-2948
leslie@thegao.org

Stacie Patrice Kershner, co-chair
1936 Main St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
spkershner@yahoo.com

Appellate Admissions
This committee arranges the biannual ceremonies for admission of new Bar admittees to the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the U.S. District Courts.

Benjamin Mason Perkins, co-chair
Oliver Maner LLP
218 W. State St.
P.O. Box 10186Savannah, GA 31412-0386
912-236-3311 Fax: 912-236-8725
bperkins@olivermaner.com

Joshua Sims Stein, co-chair
Goodman McGuffey Lindsey & Johnson LLP
3340 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 2100
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone 404-926-4104 Fax: 770-988-3795
jstein@gmlj.com

Aspiring Youth Program
The Aspiring Youth Program Committee works to teach conflict resolution skills through the "Art of Debate" to incarcerated youth in the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center. Specifically, this committee assists at-risk youth by working to increase rehabilitation rates and their aspirations to graduate from high school and college by demonstrating the importance of education, hard work, and commitment. Young lawyers serve as positive role models while developing mentoring relationships with these youth.

LeRoya R. Chester Jennings, co-chair
DeKalb County Solicitor General
556 N. McDonough St., Suite 500
Decatur, GA 30030
404-371-2234
lcjennings@co.dekalb.ga.us

Janet C. Scott, co-chair
DeKalb County Board of Education
3770 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA 30032
678-676-0420 Fax: 678-676-0234
jcscott06@hotmail.com

Business Law
Business Law Committee addresses issues specific to young lawyers whose practice involves either commercial litigation or commercial transactions. The committee monitors and addresses legal developments in the areas of business, commerce and finance on both federal and state levels. The committee also sponsors an annual Nuts and Bolts of Business Law CLE in the Spring and offers networking events throughout the year.

Seth Nathan Katz, co-chair
Thompson Law, LLC
Buckhead Plaza 2
3050 Peachtree Rd NW, Suite 355
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-816-0500 Fax: 404-816-6856
skatz@thomlaw.net

Danyelle McDonald, co-chair
SITA
3100 Cumberland Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30339
404-213-3228
danyelle.mcdonald@sita.aero

Community Service Projects
This committee provides opportunities for young lawyers to participate in local, state or national service projects focused on various social issues, such as working with organizations that address the needs of underprivileged children, hunger, domestic violence, and the environment.

Jennifer Blackburn, co-chair
Troutman Sanders LLP
600 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 5200
Atlanta, GA 30308-2216
404-885-3061 Fax: 404-962-6574
jennifer.blackburn@troutmansanders.com

Sumeet Prem Shah, co-chair
Lister & Holt, LLC
102 1/2 S. Main St.
Jonesboro, GA 30236
770-210-8200 Fax: 770-472-7460
sumeets@listerholt.com

Corporate Counsel Committee
This committee serves the professional needs of younger attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations and other private sector organizations. CLE programs are offered each year covering topics of particular interest to in-house attorneys, including, but not limited to, corporate governance and compliance, ethics, diversity, technology solutions and partnerships with private law firms. In addition to providing a forum for committee members to communicate, the committee sponsors networking events between corporate counsel and business lawyers from private practice.

Sarah Tosone Brooks, co-chair
Oldcastle Materials, Inc.
900 Ashwood Parkway, Suite 700
Atlanta, GA 30338
770-392-5300 Fax: 770-392-5305
sarah.brooks@oldcastlematerials.com

Blake Cameron Sharpton, co-chair
Jones Cork & Miller LLP
435 Second St., Suite 500
P.O. Box 6437
Macon, GA 31208
478-745-2821 Fax: 478-743-9609
blake.sharpton@jonescork.com

Criminal Law
This committee strives for the improvement of the criminal justice system, and where appropriate, seeks to implement changes. The committee annually sponsors CLE seminars and the Commitment to Justice Award.

Nedal Saleh Shawkat, co-chair
Douglas County District Attorney
8700 Hospital Drive, 2nd Floor
Douglasville, GA 30134
770-920-7292 Fax: 770-920-7123
nshawkat@co.douglas.ga.us

Robert Alexander Susor, co-chair
Law Offices of L. David Wolfe, P.C.
135 Nassau St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-352-5000 Fax: 404-524-2467
alex@ldavidwolfe.com

Disaster Legal Assistance
This committee coordinates emergency legal assistance for victims of natural disasters.

Amy Rene Stone, chair
Office of the Public Defender
Tifton Judicial Circuit
1212 Chestnut Ave.
Tifton, GA 31794-4023
229-387-6488 Fax: 229-387-6234
amyrenestone@gmail.com

Elder Law
This committee is involved in the delivery of legal services to the elderly, monitoring legislation and other legal developments affecting the elderly community, and providing general information to older Georgians.

William Louis Norse Jr., co-chair
Duffy & Feemster, LLC
236 E. Oglethorpe Ave.
P.O. Box 10144
Savannah, GA 31412
912-236-6311 Fax: 912-236-7641
wnorse@gmail.com

Caroline Munroe Vann, co-chair
Schulten, Ward, & Turner, LLP
260 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 2700
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-688-6800 Fax: 404-419-2978
cmv@swtlaw.com

Ethics & Professionalism
This committee develops programs to assist lawyers in achieving the ethical and professional standards set forth for the legal profession and to make the public aware that lawyers are striving to meet and exceed these standards. This committee works with the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism. The committee recognizes one young lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism with its Ethics & Professionalism Award.

John Clay Bush, co-chair
Bryan Cave Powell Goldstein LLP
1201 W. Peachtree St. NW, 14th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30309-3488
404-572-6600 Fax: 404-572-6999
john.bush@bryancave.com

Joshua I. Bosin, co-chair
Holland & Knight LLP
One Atlantic Center, Suite 2000
1201 W. Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30309-3400
404-817-8558 Fax: 404-881-0470
joshua.bosin@hklaw.com

Family Law
This committee provides educational and networking opportunities to young lawyers whose practice involves family law. The committee sponsors a networking event as part of the annual Family Law Institute, as well as an annual signature fundraising event to raise money and awareness for causes involving family related issues in Georgia.

Tyler Jennings Browning, chair
Browning & Smith LLC
31 Atlanta St., Suite 201
Marietta, GA 30060
770-424-1500 Fax: 770-424-1740
tyler@browningsmith.com

High School Mock Trial
This committee provides educational litigation experience to hundreds of high school students by sponsoring a statewide mock trial competition, sending a team to the national competition, and holding a summer law camp. Young lawyers, judges and teachers throughout Georgia get involved in all levels of the competition as coaches, judges and committee members.

Stacey G. Evans, chair
Powell Goldstein LLP
One Atlantic Center
1201 W. Peachtree St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30309-3488
404-572-6786 Fax: 404-572-6999
sevans@pogolaw.com

Lauren Elizabeth Thomas, 1st vice chair
Savannah College of Art & Design
PO Box 3146
Savannah, GA 31402
912-525-5537 Fax: 912-525-5501
lthomas@scad.edu

Ashley Palmer, 2nd vice chair
Clayton Circuit Public Defender
146 N. McDonough Street
Jonesboro, GA 30236
678-479-5036 Fax: 678-479-5037
apalmer@gapublicdefender.org

Intellectual Property Law
This committee promotes communication among young lawyers practicing in the various areas of intellectual property law as well as networking with other practice groups to enhance the availability of business opportunities. The committee provides CLE programs as well as social activities that promote networking and Bar participation.

Jonathan D. Goins, co-chair
1246 Grand View Dr SE
Mableton GA, 30126
jgoinsesq@yahoo.com

David Scott Moreland, co-chair
King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30309-3521
404-572-2746 Fax: 404-572-5145
dmoreland@kslaw.com

Intrastate Moot Court Competition
This committee sponsors the annual Intrastate competition among students from Georgia law Schools. It organizes and conducts all aspects of the competition.

Sarah Catherine Cipperly, co-chair
Legal Aid of Cobb County
30 S. Park Square, Suite 101
Marietta, GA 30090
770-528-2568 Fax: 770-528-2574
sccipperly@atlantalegalaid.org

Jamie P. Woodard, co-chair
Wellborn Wallace & Woodard, LLC
1175 Peachtree St. NE
100 Colony Square, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30361
404-815-7686
jamie@wellbornlaw.com

Juvenile Law

This committee is responsible for studying and recommending changes in the areas of juvenile law, facilities and rehabilitation. The committee encourages and celebrates excellence in juvenile law practice across Georgia through sponsorship of an annual CLE event and recognition of exceptional child advocates. The committee organizes and co-sponsors the Celebration of Excellence, a graduation ceremony for youth in the state foster care system. In addition, the committee recently drafted comprehensive recommended revisions to Georgia's Juvenile Code and provides technical support to efforts to turn these recommendations into legislation.

Darice Marie Good, co-chair
Good & Lee LLC
881 Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 18
Atlanta, GA 30306
404-881-9262 Fax: 404-881-9269
daricemgood@yahoo.com

Kirsten Widner, co-chair
Emory University School of Law
1301 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
404-712-1233 Fax: 404-727-7851
kwidner@emory.edu

Labor and Employment Law Committee
This committee produces two CLE programs each year for attorneys representing employees and employers in labor and employment matters, including, but not limited to, harassment and discrimination issues, wage and hour law, worker's compensation concerns, non-compete agreements, collective bargaining, and other federal and state law applicable to the employer-employee relationship.

Margaret F. Thoma Blackwood, co-chair
Littler Mendelson, PC
3348 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1100
Atlanta, GA 30326-1008
404-760-3967 Fax: 404-529-4456
mblackwood@littler.com

David Alan Cole, co-chair
Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP
100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30339-5948
770-818-1287 Fax: 770-937-9960
dcole@fmglaw.com

Law-Related Education/Law Awareness for Youth
This committee supports and encourages the growth of law-related education in the state, particularly through the inclusion of law-related curriculum in the schools. These efforts include preparing an Introduction to Law textbook and hosting an annual Teachers' Workshop.

Rachel R. Krause, chair
Ford & Harrison, LLP
1275 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-888-3800 Fax: 404-888-3863
rkrause@fordharrison.com

Leadership Academy

Vera Sharon Edenfield, co-chair
Edenfield, Cox, Bruce, & Classens, P.C.
115 Savannah Ave.
PO Box 1700
Statesboro, GA 30459
912-764-8600 Fax: 912-764-8862
sharri@ecbcpc.com

Carl Robert Varnedoe, co-chair
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell
& Berkowitz, PC
P O. Box 5047
Macon, GA 31208-5047
478-750-0777 Fax: 478-750-1777
cvarnedoe@bakerdonelson.com

Whitney Diane Mauk, co-chair
Boyd Collar Knight LLC
400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1920
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-953-4300 Fax: 770-953-4700
wmauk@lawbck.com

Natalie M. Brunson, co-chair
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
999 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30309-4422
404-817-6187 Fax: 404-817-6522
natalie.brunson@nmrs.com

Legislative Affairs
This committee serves as the clearinghouse for YLD-initiated legislation and aids legislators and other YLD committees in various matters. The committee also holds the annual Legislative Breakfast.

Ashley S. Harris, co-chair
McGuireWoods Consulting
1170 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
Fax: 404-443-5805
aharris@mwcllc.com

Benjamin James Vinson, co-chair
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
303 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 5300
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-527-4173 Fax: 404-527-4198
bvinson@mckennalong.com

Litigation
This committee addresses the needs of younger litigators by sponsoring litigation themed lunch-and-learns, CLE and CLE/socials both inside and outside metro Atlanta. The committee also places an emphasis on social activities as well as service to the community, fostering networking among the members. Monthly lunch meetings are held September through May.

Christopher Ryan Abrego, co-chair
Webb Zschunke Neary & Dikeman LLP
One Securities Centre
3490 Piedmont Road NE, Suite 1210
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-264-1080 Fax: 404-264-4520
cabrego@wznd.net

Ms. Whitney Diane Mauk, co-chair
Boyd Collar Knight LLC
400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1920
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-953-4300 Fax: 770-953-4700
wmauk@lawbck.com

Minorities in the Profession
This committee encourages increased participation by minorities in the Bar and the YLD, examines the problems affecting the minority lawyer and expands the opportunities for minority lawyers within the profession. Monthly lunch meetings are held September through June.

Marquetta J. Bryan, co-chair
Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP
2600 Marquis Two Tower
285 Peachtree Center Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30303-1235
404-526-0363 Fax: 404-523-2345
mbryan@carlockcopeland.com

Larry Christopher Stewart, co-chair
Morgan & Morgan
191 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 4200
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-965-8811 Fax: 404-965-8812
cstewart@forthepeople.com

National Moot Court Competition
This committee conducts the Region V competition of the National Moot Court Competition.

Stephanie L. Oginsky, co-chair
Greenberg Traurig LLP
The Forum
3290 Northside Parkway, Suite 400
Atlanta, GA 30327
678-553-7312 Fax: 678-553-7313
oginskys@gtlaw.com

Cecily McLeod, co-chair
Atlanta, GA
404-870-4627 Fax: 404-806-5627

Parents and Caregivers in the Profession
This seeks to further the success of attorney caregivers by providing a forum for parents and other caregivers as well as for members of the YLD generally to access and share information about resources necessary to a successful career balanced with a healthy home environment. The committee's goals are to encourage increased participation by parents and other caregivers in the YLD, activities and programs; to examine the problems unique to attorney caregivers; to expand opportunities for attorney caregivers within the profession; to sponsor programs that further the business and professional development of and networking opportunities for attorney caregivers; to educate members of the Bar on the importance of flexibility and diversity in the workplace; and to support organizations and causes that advance the status and progress of caregivers in society.

Sherry V. Neal, co-chair
Neal & Wright LLC
P. O. Box 5207
Atlanta, GA 31107
678-596-3207 Fax: 678-302-9628
sherry@nealandwright.com

Tawanna Ka-Rhelda Morgan, co-chair
Davis Bozeman Law Firm
4153-B Flat Shoals Parkway, Suite 204
Decatur, GA 30034
404-244-2004 Fax: 404-244-2020
tawannakmorgan@hotmail.com

Real Estate
The Real Estate Law Committee promotes communication among young lawyers practicing in the various areas of real estate law as well as networking with other practice groups to enhance the availability of business opportunities. The committee provides CLE programs as well as social activities that promote networking and Bar participation.

Tyler Dunn, co-chair
Morris Hardwick Schneider LLC
7000 Central Parkway, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30328
770-392-0500 Fax: 770-392-0479
tdunn@closingsource.net

Meredith Leigh Wilson, co-chair
Holland & Knight
1201 W. Peachtree St. NE, Suite 2000
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-898-8132 Fax: 404-881-0470
meredith.wilson@hklaw.com

Signature Fundraiser
The Signature Fundraiser Committee organizes and orchestrates an annual fundraising event in Atlanta to raise money to support non-profits. The committee will begin meeting monthly in August in Atlanta.

Elizabeth Louise Fite, co-chair
Schreeder, Wheeler & Flint, LLP
1100 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30309-4516
404-681-3450 Fax: 404-681-1046
efite@swfllp.com

Meredith Leigh Wilson, co-chair
Holland & Knight
1201 W. Peachtree St. NE, Suite 2000
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-898-8132 Fax: 404-881-0470
meredith.wilson@hklaw.com

William W. Daniel National Invitational Mock Trial
This committee hosts an annual criminal mock jury trial competition among law students. The talented competitors are law students hailing from law schools across the country. All Georgia law schools are also invited to participate. Every summer, the William W. Daniel National Invitational Mock Trial Committee sends hundreds of applications to ABA accredited law schools. Only 18 schools are invited to compete in this well known competition named in honor of the late Judge William W. Daniel of the Superior Court of Fulton County.

Barbara Marschalk, chair
Drew, Eckl & Farnham
P.O. Box 7600
Atlanta, GA 30357-0600
404-885-6322 Fax 404-876-0992
bmarschalk@deflaw.com

Women in the Profession
This committee's mission is to ensure the success of women attorneys just beginning their careers by providing a forum for dialogue and ideas on multicultural concerns of women, sponsoring programs directed to business and professional development, organizing networking activities, and supporting organizations and causes which advance the status and progress of women in society.

Trinity Marie Hundredmark, co-chair
Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C.
1505 Lakes Parkway, Suite 100
P.O. Box 2000
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-822-0900 Fax: 770-822-9680
thundred@atclawfirm.com

JaDawnya Cintelle Butler, co-chair
The Butler Law Group LLC
2625 Piedmont Road, Suite 56-128
Atlanta, GA 30324
404-841-1042 Fax: 404-841-5823
jbutler@butlerlawgroupllc.com