Douglas Burrell Installed as DRI President and GDLA Wins DRI Award
GDLA member Douglas Burrell (left) was installed as DRI President on October 15 during the DRI Annual Meeting in Boston. On the same night, GDLA received the 2021 DRI Janata Award for creating Mask Up! For Justice with GTLA. The award recognizes one state/local defense organization (SLDO) for undertaking an innovative program. GDLA Past President Matt Moffett (center) received the award from Mr. Burrell and then-DRI President Emily Coughlin. To read the Janata nomination/award letter here.
GDLA Mourns the Loss of its President
GDLA mourns the passing of GDLA President George Hall. He died on Saturday, September 26, in Augusta during his swim in an Ironman Triathlon – a relay competition he truly loved. There are no words to explain this unexpected loss to his family, GDLA, the legal community, and more. George was an extraordinary husband, dad, granddad, friend, and lawyer.
Cindy and Staten Bitting Honored with President’s Award
Staten Bitting, Jr. of Levy Sibley Foreman & Speir, Augusta, and his wife, Cindy, were honored with the President’s Award during the 2021 Annual Meeting. They were recognized for their combined efforts in helping organize and manage GDLA conference arrangements for the past decade. They’re pictured with outgoing President Jeff Ward (left).
Past President Walter McClelland Honored with Distinguished Service Award
Walter B. McClelland of Mabry & McClelland, Atlanta, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award, the highest accolade given by GDLA, during the 2021 Annual Meeting. Walter served as GDLA President from 2001-2002 and continues to contribute as an ex-officio Board member. He’s pictured with his wife, Kathy, outgoing President Jeff Ward (left).
GDLA Wins Back-to-Back Best Newsletter Awards from State Bar
GDLA was recognized with back-to-back Best Newsletter Awards from the State Bar of Georgia in the category of local and voluntary bars with more than 500 members. The awards for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 were both presented on June 11, 2021 during the State Bar Annual Meeting held at Wild Dunes Resort. Erica L. Morton of Swift Currie, Atlanta, served as editor-in-chief of the Georgia Defense Lawyer for both years.
