Fall 2009 - Atlanta - Divorce Lawyer - Family Law - Atlanta Georgia

for the Georgia House of Representatives and I won thatoffice. I served in the Georgia House for ten years and I hada private practice at the same time. I dealt with domesticrelation cases, with real estate and criminal law workand some complex civil litigation. I ran for judge in 1996,and have been in office ever since. I have, though, beeninvolved with 13 contested elections. That is, if you countthe primaries, the runoffs and the general elections.Radwin: How did you come to work and serve inCarrollton?Judge Simpson: I was born in LaGrange and I lived thefirst six years of my life just across the state line in RandolphCounty, Ala. Since I was six years old, I have lived in CarrollCounty. I graduated from Bowden High School and thenWest Georgia College, so this was the natural place for meto start my practice and political career.Radwin: What made you decide to run for judge inCarroll County?Judge Simpson: I worked as a law clerk right out of lawschool and this gave me a good view of the job. I workedfor a wonderful judge who actually allowed me to travelwith him around the five county circuit. Right out of lawschool, I had the opportunity to get to know all of thelawyers in the area. That gave me a good view of the joband that is one reason that I ran for it.Radwin: How has the experience been?Judge Simpson: It has been a good experience. Humanbeings are fascinating, the many problems they have andyou can see the important roles the courts play. On our bestdays, we are able to resolve a person’s problems so thatthey can get on with their life.Radwin: Any final comments?Judge Simpson: I think that the problem-solvingcourt approach has rejuvenated me in my work becauseI am able to work with people more directly on solvingproblems as opposed to sitting there as a judge andobserving. I, too, was skeptical of this whole area initially,as I think a number of judges are, but as I have gotten intoit more, I find that it really helps me to enjoy my work. Ithas also been really great to collaborate with all of thesecommunity organizations. FLRJill Radwin works for the GeorgiaAdministrative Office of the Courts, whereshe serves as the staff attorney to the ChildSupport Commission and is the executivedirector of the Georgia Supreme CourtCommittee on Civil Justice. She is a graduateof the University of Alabama School of Law,and is a member of the Family Law Section.She can be contacted at radwinj@gaaoc.us.I want to thank Siobhan Phillips, a law school student at JohnMarshall and who served as my summer law school intern, forher assistance with this article.InstItute of ContInuIng LegaL eduCatIon In georgIaThursday • sepTember 17, 2009Nuts & Boltsof family law6 CLE Hours including1 Ethics Hour • 1 Professionalism Hour • 3 Trial Practice HoursCANCELLATION POLICYCancellations reaching ICLE by 5:00 p.m. the day before the seminardate will receive a registration fee refund less a $15.00 administrativefee. Otherwise, the registrant will be considered a “no show” andwill not receive a registration fee refund. Program materials will beshipped after the program to every “no show.” Designated substitutesmay take the place of registrants unable to attend.SEMINAR REGISTRATION POLICYEarly registrations must be received 48 hours before the seminar. ICLE will accept onsiteregistrations as space allows. However, potential attendees should call ICLE the daybefore the seminar to verify that space is available. All attendees must check in uponarrival and are requested to wear nametags at all times during the seminar. ICLE makesevery effort to have enough program materials at the seminar for all attendees. Whendemand is high, program materials must be shipped to some attendees.The Family Law Review 46Fall 2009Presiding:ICLECo-sponsored by:sTaTe bar of GeorGia headquarTers1 0 4 M a r i e t t a S t r e e t N W • A t l a n t a , G AParking is free in the State Bar Headquarters for State Bar members attending ICLE seminars. Entrance to theConference Center is located on Level 6 of the State Bar Headquarters parking deck. Please have parking ticket stamped byICLE registration personnel before leaving the seminar.• From the East on I-20: Take the Windsor-Spring Exit. Turn right on Spring Street. Turn right on Marietta Street.• From the West on I-20: Take the Windsor-Spring Exit. Turn left on Spring Street. Turn right on Marietta Street.• From the South on 75-85: Take Andrew Young International Blvd Exit. Turn left on International. Turn left on CentennialParkway. Turn left on Marietta Street.• From the North on 75-85: Take Williams Street. Exit. Turn right on International Blvd. Turn left on Centennial Parkway.Turn left at Marietta Street.• Marta: The State Bar of Georgia Headquarters is about one block from Station W1 (Philips Arena/CNN Center) onMarta’s west line and 2 blocks from Forsythe Street from 5 points Marta Station.To make hotel room reservations, call:Embassy Suites phone: 678-686-0760 • Hilton Garden Inn phone: 404-577-2001 • The Omni phone: 404-818-4334Ask for the State Bar of Georgia’s negotiated corporate rate.http://www.gabar.org/parking_deck/Three ways To reGisTer: check the ICLE schedule on the web at www.iclega.orgMail: ICLE • P.O. Box 1885 • Athens, GA 30603-1885 (make check payable to ICLE)Fax: 706-354-4190 (credit card payment must accompany fax to be processed)Online: iclega.org (credit card payment only)Nuts & Bolts of family law • September 17, 2009 • 7153NAME ____________________________________________________ GEORGIA BAR #________________________FIRM/COMPANY ____________________________________________ OFFICE PHONE (________)_______________vEMAIL __________________________________________________ (for registration confirmation and email notificationof seminars, no postcard or brochures will be sent)MAILING ADDRESS __________________________________________ ZIP + 4 __________ - ______STREET ADDRESS ___________________________________________ (for UPS) ZIP + 4 __________ - ______CITY ______________________________________ STATE __________earLy reGisTraTion fee: $160on-siTe reGisTraTion fee: $180q I have enclosed a check for the early registration fee received 48 hours before the seminar.q I authorize ICLE to charge the early registration fee to my q MASTERCARD q VISA q AMERICAN EXPRESS* q DISCOVERq i am sight impaired under the ada, and i will contact iCLe immediately to make arrangements.q I am unable to attend. Please send written materials and bill me for the cost of materials only. Sorry, no phone orders!Credit Card Verification Number: A three-digit number usually located onAccount #/the back of your credit card; *AmEx is four-digits on the front of the card.Expiration Date:The registration fee for all seminars held at the State Bar of Georgia has been reduced by ICLE in recognition of the Bar’s service to Georgia attorneys.7:45 REGISTRATION (All attendees must check in uponarrival. A removable jacket or sweater is recommended.)8:25 WELCOME AND PROGRAM OVERVIEWRandall M. Kessler8:30 EQuITABLE DIVISION OF PROPERTYEdward J. Coleman, III, Surrett & Coleman, P.A., Augusta9:30 uNANSWERED LEGAL AND ETHICAL FAMILY LAWQuESTIONS IN GEORGIAK. Paul Johnson, McCorkle & Johnson LLP, Savannah10:30 BREAK10:40 DISCOVERYKelly A. Miles, Smith Gilliam Williams & Miles, P.A.,Gainesville11:10 CHILD ABDuCTIONSKaren Brown Williams, Attorney at Law, Atlanta11:40 LUNCH (Included in registration fee)12:10 FEDERAL RuLES OF EVIDENCE v. GEORGIA RuLESOF EVIDENCE: WHAT THE DIFFERENCE MEANS TOGEORGIA ATTORNEYSRebecca L. Crumrine, Davis, Matthews & Quigley, P.C.,AtlantaSignature:AGENDARandall M. Kessler, Program Chair, Kessler, Schwarz & Solomiany, P.C., Atlanta12:40 THE BASICS OF WHAT THE juDGEWANTS TO HEARHon. Warren P. Davis, Judge, Gwinnett Superior Court,Division 10, LawrencevilleHon. Cynthia D. Wright, Judge, Superior Court of FultonCounty, Atlanta Circuit, Atlanta1:10 BREAK1:20 CHILD SuPPORT GuIDELINES uPDATELaurie Dyke, CPA, Investigative Accounting Group,MariettaJill O. Radwin, Administrative Office of Courts, Atlanta1:50 FAMILY LAW CASE uPDATEMarvin L. Solomiany, Kessler, Schwarz & Solomiany, P.C.,Atlanta3:20 QuESTIONS AND ANSWERS3:30 ADjOuRNDuplicate registrations may result inmultiple charges to your account. A $15administrative fee will apply to refundsrequired because of duplicate registrations.© 2009 Institute of Continuing Legal Education in GeorgiaQuestions? Call ICLE Atlanta Area: 770-466-0886 • Athens Area: 706–369–5664 • Toll Free: 1–800–422–0893