GSU Law Alumni Taking the Lead
Alumni Well Represented within the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar and Board of Governors
During the annual meeting of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia, Stephanie Joy Kirijan (J.D. '04) finished her term as president and turned over the gavel to incoming President Jonathan Pannell (J.D. '05). The division has more than 10,000 members statewide who have less than five years of practice or are 35 and younger.
Kirijan, external communication manager at Southern Company, led the division during its 65th anniversary. Following the year's theme of inclusive leadership, the division engaged the group's membership across the state in community service efforts.
The division partnered with the Office of the Attorney General to organize the first statewide Legal Food Frenzy, a contest among the state's legal communities to benefit Georgia's seven regional food banks. To celebrate Georgia Legal Services Program's 40th anniversary, the Young Lawyers Division raised close to $94,000 to benefit GLSP through two fundraisers and a Call to Service challenge among young lawyers.
The Young Lawyers Division also held two statewide conferences for affiliate organizations and a Leadership Academy, which mentored 40 young lawyers interested in developing their leadership skills.
Pannell, the incoming president, is a partner at Gray Pannell & Woodward LLP who focuses on municipal finance, business law, local governments and public authorities. His practice includes municipal bond law, business law and transactions and commercial real estate matters.
During the division meeting, many College of Law alumni received awards: Ana Maria Martinez (J.D. '09) with Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones & Sweeney, received the "Award of Outstanding Service to the Public." Martinez is president of the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association. Jonathan Poole (J.D., '05) received the "Award of Outstanding Service to the Public."
The Board of Governors elected the following alumni to the 160-member policymaking authority of the State Bar:
• Jeffrey Kuester (J.D. '93)
• Dawn Jones (J.D. '00)
• Robert James (J.D. '99)
• J. Antonio DelCampo (J.D. '94)
• Katherine Wood (J.D. '99)
• Nicki Vaughan (J.D. '94)
• Janice Wallace (J.D. '97)
In the coming months, Sarah Hawk (J.D. '00) with Ogletree Deakins and president of the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association, will turn the leadership role over to Chris Chan (J.D. '98) with Sutherland. Adam Ford (J.D. '09) with Owen Gleaton, is president-elect of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia.