Sally Akins Sworn-in as 50th President; New Officers Installed
During the GDLA’s Golden Anniversary Annual Meeting at The Breakers in West Palm Beach, Sarah B. (Sally) Akins (left) a partner with Ellis, Painter, Ratterree & Adams in Savanah was sworn in as the 50th President of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. Fulton State Court Judge Susan Edlein (right) conducted the swearing-in ceremony, which also installed the new officers: (left-right) President-Elect Hall F. McKinley III of Drew Eckl & Farnham in Atlanta; Treasurer David N. Nelson of Chambless, Higdon, Richardson, Katz & Griggs in Macon; and Secretary Jeffrey S. Ward of Drew Eckl & Farnham in Brunswick.
Past President Salty Forbes Honored with Inaugural Distinguished Service Award
Morton G. (Salty) Forbes, who served as President from 1991-1992, was honored with the inaugural GDLA Distinguished Service Award during the 50th Annual Meeting at The Breakers. GDLA is indebted to him for his tireless commitment to advancing the Association and the civil defense bar. Even his wife, Lee, shared this devotion and designed our first logo, which served us for almost 25 years. Salty is a founding partner at Forbes, Foster & Pool in Savannah. Outgoing President Peter Muller (left) presented the award.
Past Presidents Honored at 50th Annual Meeting
Sixteen of GDLA’s Past Presidents were on-hand to be honored at the 50th GDLA Annual Meeting at The Breakers in West Palm Beach, Florida. Pictured are (left to right) Grant Smith, Bruce Welch, Ted Freeman, Bubba Hughes, Warner Fox, Lynn Roberson, Jimmy Singer, Salty Forbes, George Duncan, Kirby Mason, Mel Haas, Steve Kyle, Staten Bitting, Johnny Foster, Jerry Buchanan, Matt Moffett, Peter Muller and Walter McClelland.
Amicus Committee Leaders Honored with President’s Award
During the 50th Annual Meeting, Immediate Past President Peter D. Muller (center) honored Martin A. “Marty” Levinson of Hawkins Parnell Thackston & Young in Atlanta (left) and Garret W. Meader of Drew Eckl & Farnham in Brunswick with the President’s Award for their leadership of the GDLA Amicus Curiae Committee.
