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2020
Northern District of Georgia Allowing Remote Proceedings By Video or Teleconference
07 May 2020
Chief Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. issued an order on April 16, 2020 that temporarily allows judges of the Northern District of Georgia to conduct remote hearings by video or teleconference services such as Zoom. While Judicial Conference policy usually prohibits the broadcasting of proceedings in federal trial courts, the Executive Committee approved a temporary exception to this policy to allow judges to use teleconference technology to provide the public and the media access to court proceedings while public access to federal courthouses is restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This authorization will end when the Judicial Conference decides that emergency conditions no longer require it. In the meantime, pursuant to this temporary authorization and Chief Judge Thrash's order, federal judges in the Northern District of Georgia may use video conference, telephone conference, or other remote technologies to conduct court proceedings. People receiving remote access, however, are prohibited from photographing, recording, or otherwise rebroadcasting the court proceedings. In addition, members of the public who attend the proceedings must follow instructions, such as muting themselves when not participating, to avoid disrupting the proceedings. A copy of the Court's order is available here. To assist members of the federal bar, the Atlanta Chapter will be hosting an online discussion with district court and magistrate judges from the Northern District of Georgia on best practices for virtual court appearances and mediations. The discussion will be held on Tuesday, May 12 from 2-3 p.m. ET.
Northern District of Georgia Issues General Order for Operations During Coronavirus Pandemic
24 Mar 2020
On March 16, 2020, Chief Judge Thomas Thrash issued a General Order regarding continued operations of the Northern District of Georgia during the Coronavirus pandemic. A copy of the General Order is attached.2019
Temporary Closure of Brunswick and Savannah Courthouses
03 Sep 2019
Chief United States District Judge J. Randal Hall has issued an order temporarily closing the Brunswick and Savannah courthouses due to anticipated inclement weather associated with Hurricane Dorian. The Brunswick courthouse is closed from September 3-6, 2019, and the Savannah courthouse is closed from September 3-5, 2019. A copy of the Court's order is attached.Notice of Proposed Change to Middle District Local Rule 79.2
03 Sep 2019
The judges of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia are proposing an amendment to the court's local rules. The rule change will add the following language to Rule 79.2: "Before jury deliberations begin, counsel must ensure that electronic exhibits are identical to exhibits admitted at trial." The court is soliciting public comment on this proposed change and asks that all comments be sent to the office of the Clerk of Court at Post Office Box 128, Macon, Georgia 31202 or be emailed to the following email address: rulecomments@gamd.uscourts.gov. All comments must be received no later than close of business on October 4, 2019. Please see the courts public website, www.gamd.uscourts.gov for the full text of this rule.Notice and Invitation for Comments Regarding Reappointment of Susan D. Barrett as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
02 Jul 2019
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit is considering whether to reappoint Bankruptcy Judge Susan Barrett to a new 14-year term of office as a Bankruptcy Judge in the Southern District of Georgia at Augusta. Members of the bar and public are invited to submit written comments for consideration. Please see the attached notice from the Eleventh Circuit for complete details and instructions for submitting comments.The Meet the District Court Event Being Rescheduled
12 Apr 2019
The Meet the District Court: An Introduction to Practice in the Northern District event, previously scheduled for April 18, 2019, is being rescheduled to a future date.Important Changes to Attorney Admissions in the Northern District of Georgia
01 Apr 2019
The process for attorney admissions in the Northern District of Georgia is changing in connection with the Court's implementation of NextGen CM/ECF. Beginning April 15, 2019, attorneys will apply for admission through the PACER website. After they have been approved for admission and paid the admission fee, attorneys will be admitted and given access to the Northern District of Georgia e-file system. Attorneys no longer will be required to appear in person for an admission ceremony, but an optional ceremony will be held on the first Monday of each month in the Atlanta division. For more information, please visit the Court's website at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFEDCOURTS/bulletins/23a6b982018
Judges Frank Hull and Elizabeth Branch Present to GABWA and the FBA at Tuttle Courthouse in Atlanta
04 Dec 2018
On December 4, Senior Judge Frank M. Hull and Judge Elizabeth L. Branch, both of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, presented to the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys and FBA Atlanta Chapter members at the Tuttle Courthouse in Atlanta. Judge Hull presented about the historic collection of art accumulated by the late Judge Phyllis Kravitch and Judge Branch talked about her experiences becoming a judge both at the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Eleventh Circuit. The group attended a lively reception afterwards.Important Announcements from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
03 Dec 2018
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia has made several important announcements for members of the bar regarding: (1) closure of the courthouse on December 5; (2) a website outage scheduled for Saturday, December 8; and (3) the Court's discontinued monitoring of undelivered emails from the CM/ECF system. For complete information, please visit the following page of the Court's website: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFEDCOURTS/bulletins/21fd827Proposed Amendments Published for Public Comment
15 Aug 2018
On August 15, 2018, the Judicial Conference Advisory Committees on Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, and Evidence Rules published proposed amendments to their respective rules, and requested that the proposals be circulated to the bench, bar, and public for comment. The proposed amendments, rules committee reports explaining the proposed changes, and instructions on how to submit comments are posted on uscourts.gov. The public comment period ends February 15, 2019.Attorney Vacancy-U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Atlanta District Office
18 Jun 2018
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General is accepting applications for an experienced attorney for its Atlanta District office. The attorney reports directly to the Deputy Chief Counsel and is primarily responsible for advising and representing VA management on issues relating to employment and labor law, as well as providing advice on various health care related matters. The majority of the practice consists of litigating personnel cases before the EEOC, MSPB, FLRA, and FMCS arbitrators appointed to hear negotiated grievance cases. The attorney also reviews and advises on various personnel matters including providing occasional training to management. Employment litigation experience is strongly preferred. Some travel will be required. The candidate must possess a Juris Doctor degree and an active license to practice in any state. Salary will be dependent upon qualifications and experience and can range from $77,058 to $140,765. Interested candidates should forward their resume, cover letter, and a writing sample via email to Sophia.Haynes@va.gov. Please include the following in the subject line: Attorney Vacancy - Atlanta.2014
New Officers Begin Terms
21 Oct 2014
New officers for the Atlanta Chapter began their terms of office on October 1, 2014. Please visit the "About Us" page of this website for the current list of officers, Executive Committee members, and Advisory Committee members. The Atlanta Chapter also would like to thank Ben Mathis for his service as President during the past year. For those who are interested, the attached document records all past Presidents of the Atlanta Chapter from 1985 through the present.2014 Luncheon Honoring the Federal Judiciary
24 Jun 2014
The Atlanta Chapter hosted its annual Luncheon Honoring the Federal Judiciary on June 24, 2014. Over 300 attorneys, judges, and law clerks attended the event at 200 Peachtree. The keynote speaker was The Honorable Alexander M. Sanders, Jr., the former Chief Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the 19th President of the College of Charleston. Judge Sanders gave an inspiration message about the opportunities presented by changes in the practice of law. With his permission, a copy of Judge Sanders's remarks are available through the link below. The Atlanta Chapter thanks everyone who attended and all of those who made the event possible and such a success.2012
Election of Officers to Be held on June 12, 2012
01 Jun 2012
At the Atlanta Chapter's Annual Luncheon in Honor of the Federal Judiciary to be held on June 12, 2012, a vote will be held on the nominees to serve as officers of the Atlanta chapter. The Nominating Committee of the Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association has made the following nominations: President: Meryl W. Roper President Elect - Benton J. Mathis Vice President - Eric P. Schroeder Secretary - Phyllis B. Sumner Treasurer - S. Derek Bauer2010
Newsletter Award
25 Sep 2010
The Atlanta Chapter received the Meritorious Newsletter Award for 2010 from the Federal Bar Association.Presidential Achievement Award
25 Sep 2010
The Atlanta Chapter received the Chapter Activity Presidential Achievement Award for 2010 from the Federal Bar Association in recognition of its activities in the areas of administration, membership outreach, and programming.June 2010 Newsletter
11 Jun 2010
Member alert regarding judicial vacancies, magistrate courts; recaps of A Conversation with the Honorable Phyllis A. Kravitch, 2010 Vance Forum on Campaign Finance Reform, 2010 Technology in the Northern District Courtroom with the Honorable Michael J. Reagan, reception honoring new U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, Civil Litigation from a Magistrate Judges Point of View: panel including the Honorable Alan J. Baverman and E. Clayton Scofield, III, Law Day 2010.Senator Saxby Chambliss Response Regarding Judicial Vacancies
12 May 2010
Senator Chambliss responds to the Chapter's request for prompt action on the remaining judicial vacancies in the Northern District of Georgia.FBA Atlanta Chapter Presidents 1985 to Present
26 Apr 2010
The attached document lists past Presidents of the Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.Kevin Maxim Letter to Senator Johnny Isakson Regarding Judicial Vacancies
05 Apr 2010
On behalf of the Chapter, Kevin Maxim asks Senator Isakson for prompt action on the remaining judicial vacancies in the Northern District of Georgia.Kevin Maxim Letter to Senator Saxby Chambliss Regarding Judicial Vacancies
05 Apr 2010
On behalf of the Chapter, Kevin Maxim asks Senator Chambliss for prompt action on the remaining judicial vacancies in the Northern District of Georgia.Letter from Judge Phyllis A. Kravitch
03 Feb 2010
Judge Kravitch thanked the Atlanta Chapter for its gift in recognition of her many years of support for our Chapter.2009
November 2009 Newsletter
09 Nov 2009
Introducing New Chapter Website; Northern District Courtroom Program; Judicial Law Clerk Reception and New Officer Swearing-In; Georgia Congressional Delegation Reception with Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny IsaksonMay 2009 Newsletter
01 May 2009
Recaps of the Vance Forum on The Fate of the Second Amendment and Gun Control After District of Columbia v. Heller, and Technology in the Northern District Courtroom with the Honorable Mark W. Bennett (N.D. Iowa); What's New at the EEOC, DOL and NLRB in Atlanta; Panel on In-House - Outside Counsel Relationships in Turbulent Economic TimesJanuary 2009 Newsletter
01 Jan 2009
Vance Forum: The Fate of the Second Amendment and Gun Control After District of Columbia v. Heller; Technology in the Northern District Courtroom with the Honorable Mark W. Bennett (N.D. Iowa); Atlanta Chapter Wins Three National Awards; New Attorney Photo ID Cards2008
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Inc.
10 Oct 2008
The attached document contains the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, effective as of October 10, 2008.August 2008 Newsletter
01 Aug 2008
Reception with Georgia Congressional Delegation - U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson and U.S. Representative Tom Price; Recaps of Technology in the Northern District Courtroom, Vance Forum on Voter ID Laws, Luncheon with Dennis Drasco, Panel on Litigating Intellectual Property Cases in N.D. Ga., Law Day, Luncheon Honoring Federal Judiciary with Attorney General Michael MukaseyJanuary 2008 Newsletter
01 Jan 2008
Technology in the Northern District Courtroom with Professor Fredric I. Lederer; Vance Forum: Voter ID Laws - Preventing Fraud or Promoting Disenfranchisement?; Luncheon with the Honorable Griffin B. Bell; Luncheon with the Honorable Reggie B. Walton (D. D.C.)2007
October 2007 Newsletter
01 Oct 2007
Recap: Atlanta Chapter Hosted "Best [Federal Bar Association National] Convention Ever"; In-House Counsels' Perspective on Managing Legal Expenses; Upcoming Vote on Two Chapter By-Law AmendmentsAugust 2007 Insert in The Fulton County Daily Report
31 Aug 2007
Forthcoming Federal Bar Association National Convention Schedule of EventsJanuary 2007 Newsletter
01 Jan 2007
Luncheon with the Honorable Jack T. Camp; Federal Criminal Practice Seminar; Federal Labor Law Symposium; Luncheon Honoring the Federal Judiciary with the Former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh; Update on Upcoming FBA National Convention2006
October 2006 Newsletter
01 Oct 2006
Meet the District Court Clerk's Office; Luncheon with the Honorable C. Christopher Hagy; Luncheon with the Honorable Jack T. Camp; Federal Labor Practitioners Seminar; Breakfast at the Eleventh Circuit Appellate Practice Serminar with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence ThomasApril 2006 Newsletter
01 Apr 2006
Luncheon with the Honorable Timothy C. Batten, Sr.; Labor Law Symposium; Luncheon with the Honorable Stanley F. Birch, Jr.; Vance Forum Recap: Kelo v. New London and the Eminent Domain Debate2004
May 2004 Newsletter
01 May 2004
Annual Luncheon with Keynote Speaker Joe D. Whitley; Social Security Law Bench-Bar Workshop; First Annual Summer Clerk Tour of the Courthouse1987
August 1987 - Atlanta Chapter, Federal Bar Association - 1957 - 1987 The First Thirty Years
01 Aug 1987
This document reflects the history of the Atlanta Chapter during its first thirty years. Robert Gerwig, Editor.