Crystal D. Kesler is a general civil litigation and employment law defense attorney at Goodman McGuffey, LLP. There she represents insurers in a wide array of liability matters throughout Georgia in both State and Federal Courts.  Prior to joining Goodman McGuffey, LLP, Crystal worked as a plaintiff’s attorney primarily in the area of employment law.

Crystal received her Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law with the Highest Pro Bono Distinction for completing over 150 hours of pro bono service throughout her tenure. During law school, she served as an elected officer on the Executive Board of Moot Court and the Ronald J. Freeman Chapter of the Black Law Students Association, and was also an active member of Georgia State’s Student Trial Lawyers Association. Prior to law school, Crystal graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, as a collegiate athlete, with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing.

For the second consecutive year, Crystal will serve as the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys’ (GABWA) 2018 Vice President of Technology.  She is a graduate of GABWA’s Professional Development Academy where she was elected by her peers as graduation class speaker; she has served as a GABWA Women to Women Committee member; and she is also a GABWA scholarship recipient.

Roodgine Dominique Bray, Esq.is a Litigation Attorney with the Davis Bozeman Law Firm. Attorney Bray practices in the Personal Injury section of the firm.  Attorney Bray has been admitted to practice in Georgia, the United States District Court – Northern District of Georgia, the Court of Appeals of Georgia, and the Supreme Court of Georgia. Attorney Bray is a graduate of the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyer’s Leadership Academy. She is a member Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA) and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA).

A native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Attorney Bray is fluent in French and Haitian Creole. She graduated from Clayton State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Attorney Bray obtained her Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She studied abroad in South Africa and interned at Roux de Wet du Plessis Law Firm in Pretoria, South Africa. She served as a law clerk for the Criminal Division Chief at the State of Michigan Attorney General’s Office. She also served as a Pro Bono Junior Associate in the Service to Soldiers Program where she volunteered to help brief deploying troops.

As an undergraduate student at Clayton State University, Attorney Bray served as the President of both the Student Government Association and the Tau Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Incorporated. As a law student, Attorney Bray served as an Associate Editor for the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law, Corresponding Secretary of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), a member of the Mock Trial and Moot Court Boards. She also served as a Trial Skills Teacher Assistant, Graduation Marshall, and Law School Ambassador. Attorney Bray was the BLSA Mock Trial Champion and competed in the BLSA National Mock Trial Team.  Currently, Attorney Bray empowers the community and youth by conducting legal rights seminars. Attorney Bray has been a guest panelist at V-103’s “Know Your Rights When Encountering the Police” Town Hall Meeting and Henry County Alumnae Chapter’s civil rights forum. Additionally, Attorney Bray has served as a guest speaker at Clayton State University for “Remember the Titan’s Forgotten Faces” – a dialogue about forgotten injustices and how to interact with the police. Attorney Bray volunteers with Save Ourselves (SOS) legal clinic where she provides free consultations. Attorney Bray served as the inaugural President of the Atlanta Chapter of SisterCARE Alliance – an organization created to support women and to promote social activism and self-care as a strategic contribution to the lives of women. Attorney Bray has been selected by the National Black Lawyers Association as a member of the 2017 Top 40 Under 40.

Attorney Bray is married to Earl Bray and is a proud mother to their daughters, Elise and Elisabeth. She is an active member of the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church (House of Hope Atlanta).

A member of GABWA since 2014, Ms. Marcee L. Campbell has consistently participated in GABWA’s Judicial Review Committee and Sister2Sister Mentoring Program.  She currently serves as the Elections Chair, and in the past has served as a Community Service Co-Chair and on the Glitter Gala and Political Action Committees.  Marcee is a proud graduate of Albany State University and Howard University School of Law.  Upon graduating from law school, Marcee commenced a career in education that led to her becoming an Assistant Legal Officer in Legal Affairs and the Charter School Coordinator for the DeKalb County School District.  Currently, Marcee is the Senior Staff Attorney to the Honorable Courtney L. Johnson in the Superior Court of DeKalb County.Her experience to-date includes a solid foundation of knowledge in legal research and analysis, educational policy, charter school governance, contracts and government and municipality law.  She has also attained experience with internal investigations, negotiations, and policy development.  Marcee enjoys engaging in community service activities and pro bono work in her community, visiting beaches, cooking, and spending time with her family and college sweetheart, Elam.

Janel Bowles is the founder and Managing Partner at Bowles Law, LLC, a bankruptcy and personal injury boutique practice. Janel is also a Staff Attorney with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Janel has been in private practice for over 22 years. In addition to bankruptcy and personal injury, she has extensive experience in collection, business and estate planning. Janel regularly conducts seminars on credit and debt management and the implications of bankruptcy for community groups, professional organizations and student groups.

Janel is passionate about giving back. She spends countless hours in   service as a non-profit Board Member of the Hazel Elizabeth Robinson Bowles Foundation and The Friends of Mills, Inc., an active member of the Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a member of the Outreach Ministry at The Breakthrough Fellowship. Further, Janel has mentored and coached professionals, aspiring attorneys and youth for over 16 years.

Janel received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in management from Howard University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1995 and was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 2004.

Kimberly Bourroughs Debrow is an assistant district attorney for the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office where she is assigned to the Anti-Corruption Unit.  Kimberly oversees the prosecution of complex, high-profile financial cases exceeding $100,000.00 arising out of business crimes and fraud.  Prior to joining the DeKalb County DA’s Office, Kimberly served as chief senior assistant district attorney for Fulton County’s District Attorney Office, and was an associate in the Atlanta office of Schiff Hardin LLP where she practiced in the General Litigation Group and on the firm’s National Appellate Team.  Kimberly began her legal career in public service as a prosecutor, and previously worked at the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Department of Justice, as well as several non-profit policy organizations in Washington, DC before attending law school.

Recently recognized as one who is “On the Rise” by the Fulton Daily Report, Kimberly has developed an expertise in Georgia’s business crimes and financial investigations.  She is an adjunct professor of White Collar Crimes and Trial Practice at the University of Georgia School of Law, and she currently serves on the Consumer Advisory Board for the Office of the Attorney General of Georgia. 

Kimberly is an active volunteer in the community, and she has served in various leadership roles for both professional and non-profit organizations, including the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, the Gate City Bar Association, the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia, the Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta (formerly known as Asian American Legal Advocacy Center), and ChildrenConnect of Newnan.  She is a member of Leadership Georgia’s Class of 2017, LEAD Atlanta’s Class of 2016, the State Bar of Georgia’s Leadership Academy’s Class of 2015, and an active volunteer for high school, college, and law school mock trial programs. 

Although born and raised within the U.S. Army and Korean communities of Seoul, S. Korea during her early formative years, Kimberly calls Atlanta her home.  After graduating high school in Georgia, she went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in English from Howard University in Washington, DC, and her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens, Georgia. 

Kimberly currently resides in Newnan, GA with her husband, daughter, and dog.  When she is not working, she enjoys playing tennis, the outdoors, and cooking.

Attorney Rodgers is a native of Birmingham, AL. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Spelman College and her Juris Doctor Degree from Emory University School of Law. Ms. Rodgers began her legal career as a Judicial Intern in the Fulton County Superior Court with The Honorable M. Gino Brogdon, followed by internships with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court of Georgia with Justice Robert Benham. She has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 2005 and has experience in practice areas including real estate, worker’s compensation, personal injury, wrongful death and medical malpractice.

Ms. Rodgers is a Member of the State Bar of Georgia and its General Practice & Trial Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association, Advocacy for Action Non-Profit Organization, DeKalb Lawyers Association, Gate City Bar Association and Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA). Attorney Rodgers is also a dedicated Member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), where she has served on the Executive Board as Treasurer for two (2) consecutive years; Co-Chair, Woman-to-Woman Mentoring Program; Co-Chair, Sections Committee; Member, Political Action Committee; Member, Judicial Review Committee and currently serves as Chair, Leadership Section and Co-Chair, Judicial and Public Office Academy. She was invited into The National Black Lawyers – Top 100 professional honorary organization and accepted into the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers Leadership Academy (Class of 2018).

Candace embodies the concept of service. In addition to her professional career serving her clients, she is active in her community. She has volunteered in community fairs to educate those without access to legal counsel and assisted with recommendations for issue resolution. She served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization for eight (8) years. She supports local and statewide political and election campaigns through volunteer efforts. Ms. Rodgers is an active participant at her local church, where she participates in service activities within and outside in the community. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is also extremely passionate about mentorship and providing young girls and women with knowledge and tools to invoke the importance of character, education and fortitude for their successful personal and spiritual development.

Attorney Rodgers welcomes your inquiries and hopes that she can provide assistance or a referral regarding your legal matter.

“If I wasn’t practicing law, I know in my heart I would still be doing anything I could to help people. Helping people is my passion. I feel that’s my purpose. I am a catalyst for change.” Rian Ervin

Rian Ervin’s passion for representing injured workers can be traced back to her close-knit family and her grandfather’s stories. As the granddaughter of a career truck driver who was very active in his union, she is very familiar with the struggles and triumphs of hardworking people and their jobs.

These stories remind Ms. Ervin that every client of Benzo Law is more than their case. Each client is a person with a unique story, a person with whom she strives to make a lasting connection.

As an attorney, she is very strategic in her approaches and meticulously considers her client’s short-term and long-term goals before making decisions on their behalf. She knows the outcomes of these decisions will ultimately affect not just the client’s well-being, but the lives of their loved ones as well.

Prior to joining Benzo Law as an Associate, Ms. Ervin founded and managed a thriving solo practice, representing people injured at the negligence of others, and advocating on the behalf of juveniles. Her professional experience also includes representing clients with catastrophic injuries.

 Ms. Ervin is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, where she served as an ambassador and as the Managing Editor for the Thurgood Marshall Law Review. During law school, she clerked for the legal department for CenterPoint Energy in Houston. As a clerk she assisted with regulatory matters for the electric and natural gas subsidiaries in preparation for an upcoming oral argument at the Supreme Court of Texas.

She is an honors graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Kennesaw State University in Atlanta.

Outside the courtroom, she is an active member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA) and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. She is a spring 2015 graduate of the GABWA Professional Development Academy. Rian has the distinct pleasure of serving as the 2018 Assistant Secretary and Co-Chair for the Founders Awards Selection Committee.

She is very community oriented, and is an active member of Jackson Memorial Baptist Church. She also proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Trinity Community Ministries.

Lisa Collins is a partner in the Intellectual Property group at BakerHostetler.  In her position, she supervises and manages BakerHostetler’s Intellectual Property Indemnification Recovery team.  She oversees all patent indemnification matters, manages several legal teams and has recovered millions of dollars for her clients.  In this role, Lisa proactively looks for ways to reduce or transfer risk for her clients.  She also advise clients on IP strategy, technology transactions, and licensing; trade secret audits; and manages extensive trademark portfolios. 

Prior to joining BakerHostetler, Lisa was a trial attorney at a boutique trial firm.  During her tenure with the firm, Lisa worked on a variety of complex intellectual property and commercial litigation matters, including matters involving trademark and copyright infringement, product liability, and coverage.  Lisa handled all aspects of litigation, including trials, administrative proceedings, alternative dispute resolution, motions practice, discovery, post-trial work, and appeals.  Lisa has tried several complex state and federal jury trials and specialized bench trials; Lisa has also appeared as first and second chair; and has served as lead counsel and argued before the Eleventh Circuit. 

Lisa believes in serving the community because it has given her so much.  Throughout her career, Lisa has mentored law school students and younger practicing attorneys and worked on a variety of pro bono matters, including housing justice cases and veterans claims.  Lisa serves on the Executive and Leadership Boards for the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA).  Lisa is also the Chair of GABWA’s signature event and largest fundraiser, the Glitter Gala and Auction, and has personally raised over six figures for the GABWA Foundation’s charitable programs. 

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family; cooking; and traveling to explore new places, cultures and cuisines.

Shaniqua Singleton serves as Historian for the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.  She is an associate in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s Atlanta office where she focuses her practice on pharmaceutical and medical device, commercial and business torts, and employment litigation.

Shaniqua received a Bachelor of Arts degree with highest honors and distinction in Global Studies and Contemporary European Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2013. During her undergraduate career, she was an active volunteer with the Campus Y, teaching English as a second language courses to immigrants in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro areas and organizing know-your-rights information sessions on key topics ranging from immigration to criminal law. Shaniqua was also an active member of the UNC’s Women’s Glee Club, and participated in several choral ensembles during her time on campus. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2016, cum laude. While at Georgia Law, Shaniqua served as the Executive Notes Editor for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, published her student note in the Journal, and served as Executive Director of the Working in the Public Interest Law Conference. During law school she clerked for Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge Lawton E. Stephens and Justice Carol W. Hunstein of the Supreme Court of Georgia.

The criminal justice system often leaves many felling lost and forgotten. Working to achieve fairness and justice for all no matter one’s background continues to be my motivation. As a former public defender, I used to advocate for my client’s constitutional rights. Now, as a prosecutor, I not only protect defendants’ constitutional rights, but also advocate for the rights of their victim. In both cases, I have always assisted those who are unfamiliar with the criminal justice system understand and navigate it. In 2005, Maria earned a bachelor of arts from Agnes Scott College in Political Science and minored in Africana Studies. While at Agnes Scott, she cofounded multiple organizations and held several leadership positions. In 2009, Maria earned a juris doctor from The John Marshall Law School – Chicago, where she concentrated on international human rights law. During law school, she served as a Law Clerk for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago and studied international human rights in the Israel/Palestine/West Bank area. In addition, she also studied the NAFTA free-trade agreement and women’s rights in Guadalajara, Mexico. Passionate about criminal justice reform, her move into public service was a natural fit. Soon after obtaining her law license, had her own law firm before working as an Assistant Public Defender at the Newton County Public Defender’s Office. After successfully representing individuals charged with major felonies, she became a prosecutor at The Office of the DeKalb County SolicitorGeneral where she was began on in the Trial Line Unit before promoted to the Special Victims Unit. There, she successfully prosecuted cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, animal cruelty, child abuse, and elderly abuse. A few years later, she began working at The Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney where started on the Trial Line Unit before being promoted to the Elder Abuse and Exploitation Unit. In her current role, in the Elder Abuse Unit, she prosecutes cases involving victims who are either 65 years of age or older or disabled. These cases include fraud, physical, sexual, and financial abuse. When she is not in the courtroom, you can find her in her community conducting training for students, parents, business owners, and other community members on domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and Title IX rights. When she is not practicing law, she also manages political campaigns. Her 1st political campaign she ran was in 2001, when she successfully ran for Class President. She used her creativity and ability to think outside of the box to win that election. During her free time, she enjoys riding her fixed gear bike to work, country line dancing, and graphic design.

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins is a seasoned transactional attorney and principal in the law firm of B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, PC, concentrating in the areas of Entertainment, Digital Media, Licensing, Copyright, Trademark, Business Transactions, and Corporate Formations.  Her clients include Grammy® Award winning music producers and songwriters who reportedly have over 10 million units in sales, artists, music industry executives, independent record labels, managers, music and film /television production companies, screenplay writers, and clothing designers. She has a plethora of experience drafting and negotiating contracts ranging from licensing, employment, corporate transactions, to product endorsement agreements on behalf of corporate and entertainment clients. Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins’ sharp negotiating skills have earned her clients over millions of dollars in royalty income and advances. She periodically appears as a guest lecturer and panelist at colleges, law schools and conferences across the country.

Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins began her legal career as a paralegal in 1996 at the law firm of Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton LLP formerly known as Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, and later worked as a contract attorney in the litigation department. In 1999, she left the large firm environment to work for the City of Atlanta as the Legal Specialist for the Office of Contract Compliance, while maintaining her legal practice on the side. In late 2002, Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins left the City of Atlanta to open her own law firm full time. She served as a federal lobbyist for a period of 8 years representing the City of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, while building a niche law practice representing platinum-selling music producers and songwriters. Over the years some of her clients composed and produced music for top charting recording artists such as 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin Sean “Puffy” Combs, T.I., Lil’ Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Usher, and Justin Bieber.  She also represents record executives at some of the top record companies in the entertainment industry.

Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins is a community activist. In 2007 she co-founded Gather For Good, an annual networking and fundraising event seeking to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations. From 2009 to 2013, she served as a volunteer lecturer for Literacy Action, a United Way Organization, and taught grooming and interviewing techniques to adults seeking to re-enter the workforce. In 2012, she became a STEM community partner/volunteer to TAG-Ed. In 2015, her firm partnered with the John Marshall School of Law, and currently provides externship opportunities to law students seeking to learn about the practice of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law.

In 2007, Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins received the Metro Atlanta Community Champion Award from MADD and was honored by Rolling Out Magazine as one of Atlanta’s 25 Most Influential Women.  In 2009, the Supreme Court of Georgia appointed her as a Mentor in the Transition into Law Practice Program to assist newly admitted lawyers to the State Bar of Georgia, and she currently participates as a mentor. During that same year, she also received The Token of Appreciation Award from Music in the Metro, a non-profit organization located in Des Moines, Iowa for bringing youth and the music industry together.  In 2012, she was presented the Entertainment Lawyer of the Year Award by Women of Wealth Magazine and was honored by ASCAP as one of The Women Behind the Music. In 2014, Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins received the Chairman’s Award from the Entertainment, Sports & Art Law Section of the National Bar Association. In 2015, she was honored with an Icon Award by Writing Sessions America – Atlanta, and Rolling Out Magazine honored her as one of the Top 25 Women of Atlanta for the second time. In August 2017, she was featured in Attorney at Law Magazine as one of the attorneys to watch.  

Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins’ past and present Board affiliations include the United Way-African American Partnership, One Economy Corporation (Advisory Board), Smyrna Basketball Association, Inc. (Co-Founder, Treasurer), Jack and Jill of America-Atlanta Chapter (Parliamentarian, Legislative Chair), The Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.) – General Counsel, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), and the Black Entertainment Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) – Secretary, Vice President, Chair of Sponsorship and Board Development). During the years of 2007 to 2011, Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins also served as a local advisory board member to Branch, Banking and Trust (BB&T). Throughout the years, she has served as a member of various organizations, including, but not limited to Atlanta Business League, the National Association of Recording Arts & Sciences, Women in Film and Television Atlanta (WIFTA), the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (Member at Large, Chair of the Entertainment Law Section), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Federal Bar Association.

Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins received her Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Howard University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore, School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in Georgia in all lower courts and state and superior courts, the United Stated District Court Northern District of Georgia, Georgia Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Georgia. Mrs. Lawrence-Watkins is married with two sons.                                                                                                                                                    

E. Noreen Banks-Ware is the principal of E.N. Banks-Ware Law Firm, LLC. The firm began in 1991.The firm is a BV rated (Martindale-Hubbell rated) law firm. The areas of practice include family law, business law, probate and personal injury law.

The firm has provided exceptional service to the public and legal community in Lithonia, Georgia and the greater metro Atlanta area for 28 years. Law Firm Alliance with: Stewart, Seay & Felton, LLC and the Cochran Firm, Inc.

SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS

 Special Assistant Administrative Law Judge, Office of State Administrative Hearings,   appointed in 1997 to 2003.

 County Attorney for Lamar County – appointed 1998 – 2000.

First African American appointed by Lamar Commissioners in County’s history.

 PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

 State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Sections, and Business Law Section, admitted member 1989. Member of the State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section Diversity committee 2013- 2017

 Georgia Supreme Court; admitted in 2016;

 Georgia Court of Appeals in 2015

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia; admitted in 2001  

U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; admitted in 2001 

Master in the Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law Inns of Court; admitted in 2005

Member of the Executive Board of Directors for the DeKalb Bar Association 2014-15

Member of the DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation 2017 

Member of the Multi Bar Association 2014-2015

Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, member since 1988/Co-Chair of the GABWA Family Law Section

Atlanta Bar Association, 1990 recipient of Scholarship for NITA Training.

DeKalb Bar Association Executive Committee Member 2014;

 DeKalb Bar Association and DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers, Yearly Pro Bono award recipient for family law cases since 1993 and Pro Bono lawyer of the year- 2004

 Speaker at GABWA annual Family law CLE 2013-2015

EDUCATION:

 Juris Doctor – University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia (1989)

 Member of Journal of International and Comparative Law, (1988)

 Bachelors of Business Administration – University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, (1986)

Shymeka L. Hunter is Vice President and Corporate Counsel for Worldpay US, Inc., the US division of Worldpay Group, Ltd, one of the world’s largest payment processing companies. She handles both transactional and litigation matters.  Ms. Hunter manages the Company’s employment law and commercial litigation matters, and she works closely with the Company’s strategic business partnership unit to facilitate appropriate, relevant relationships with other industry leaders.  Prior to joining Worldpay, Ms. Hunter practiced with prominent law firms, namely Arnall Golden Gregory, Paul Hastings, and most recently Jackson Lewis, where she was a Partner in the Atlanta office. She spent most of her law firm career handling all aspects of labor and employment litigation, including discrimination claims, wage and hour disputes, leave issues, contract disputes, and common law tort claims.

Ms. Hunter is a member of various organizations including the Association of Corporate Counsel and the American Bar Association. She is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Georgia State Bar and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, where she previously served as Secretary and Co-Chair of the Large Firm section. She participates in the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation’s Saturday Lawyers Program and the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta.  She was also selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2010 and 2011.

Ms. Hunter received her Bachelor of Arts from Agnes Scott College with high honors and Phi Beta Kappa and her Juris Doctorate from Duke University School of Law. She is married with two children and currently resides in Atlanta.

Ms. Edmondson-Cooper, a bilingual prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Labor, litigates labor and employment matters focusing on cases involving violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the “H” provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act—provisions regulating the working conditions of workers who enter the U.S. via temporary work visas, a significant number of whom are limited English proficient (LEP)—, the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other federal labor laws. A former legal interpreter and legal aid attorney, Ms. Edmondson-Cooper spends a significant amount of time working to alleviate language access as an access to justice issue. With over a decade of language access experience, Ms. Edmondson-Cooper’s advocacy includes contributing to the development of local, state, and federal language access policies and the development of state and national curricula for training attorneys and judges on language access as an access to justice issue. Ms. Edmondson-Cooper is a co-founder of the Eliminating Barriers to Justice (EBJ) continuing legal education series, Georgia’s first and only comprehensive access to justice/ language access-centered training for attorneys, judges, court personnel, interpreters, and other stakeholders. Approaching its fifth year, EBJ examines language access and other access to justice challenges from multiple perspectives including an annual emphasis on ethics/professional responsibility and professionalism. EBJ has garnered support through the years from statewide and national entities including the Georgia Judicial Council /Administrative Office of the Courts, Supreme Court of Georgia, State Bar of Georgia, the National Center for State Courts, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia, Ms. Edmondson-Cooper is a member of the Court’s Commission on Interpreters where currently she is leading the development of a model administrative protocol – the first of its kind in Georgia – which will assist the state’s judiciary with the provision of language services for LEP persons and persons with disabilities.  Ms. Edmondson-Cooper has authored several publications on language access, including “Chapter 11: Appointing Qualified Interpreters” for the 2016 Georgia State Court Benchbook which has been subsequently adopted by several of Georgia’s other classes of court. In addition, as a member of the Judicial Council of Georgia’s Access, Fairness, Public Trust, and Confidence Committee (AFPTCC), Ms. Edmondson-Cooper contributed to the development of the AFPTCC’s 2017 ADA Judicial Handbook, a comprehensive guide to court access for persons with disabilities.  A seasoned language access consultant, Ms. Edmondson-Cooper has been invited by several national and state entities to provide access to justice/language access-centered trainings. Those entities include the American Bar Association, National Association of Judicial Interpreters and Translators, National Consortium of Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts, National Legal Aid and Defender Association , National Center for State Courts Council of Language Access Coordinators, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Trustee’s Office, U.S. Department of Education, Georgia Institute of Continuing Judicial Education, Georgia Commission on Family Violence, the Supreme Court of Georgia Commission on Interpreters, and the Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism. Additional details about Ms. Edmondson-Cooper’s advocacy are available at www.linkedin.com/in/jjecesq.

Ms. Edmondson-Cooper’s commitment to access, equity, and justice  have been acknowledged widely including recognition by the Daily Report (Georgia’s leading legal publication) as one of 40 Georgia lawyers under age 40 named a rising legal star to watch, recognition by Governor Nathan Deal and the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, selection as an American Bar Foundation Fellow, and recognition by the National Bar Association and the American Bar Association as one of the nation’s top 40 lawyers under 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement in innovation, vision, leadership and legal and community involvement. The ABA also recently honored Ms. Edmondson-Cooper with the 2017 Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. Ms. Edmondson-Cooper is a graduate of Spelman College and Mississippi College School of Law.

Alexia Noble is an associate in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s Atlanta office where she is a member of the Tax and Benefits Team. She assists clients in navigating the requirements of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) as they structure their employee benefits program.