Legal Profession
Category RSS FeedThe learning curve of a bar president
In the past 10 days this plaintiffs’ trial lawyer, in the capacity of State Bar of Georgia president, has co-presided over a joint meeting of the State Bar Executive Committee and the Georgia Supreme Court, had a joint press conference with the Attorney General of Georgia and spoke at a lunch meeting that included general … Continue Reading
News stories about lawyers filing a “$10 million lawsuit”
On a local news broadcast tonight, I heard a story about someone filing a “ten million dollar lawsuit.” Four points:
Good lawyers litigate their cases in the courts, not in the media.
Anyone can name a big number in a lawsuit. That is NOT the same as recovering that amount for a client. Generally when I see … Continue Reading
Independent Courts as Economic Infrastructure
The following article appeared in the February 2012 issue of the Georgia Bar Journal.
A third of a century trekking between Georgia courts, first in a single rural circuit and then more or less statewide, has made me a minor connoisseur of courthouses, the most visible physical infrastructure of the judicial system. I have tried cases … Continue Reading
“Tough on crime, smart on crime”
The State Bar of Georgia communications staff will distribute the following article to all Georgia newspapers this week:
Tough on Crime, Smart on Crime
By Kenneth L. Shigley
My first job after law school was as a prosecutor in a rural judicial circuit. Soon after joining the district attorney’s office, I assisted in a death penalty trial for … Continue Reading
Only 81 days remain as State Bar president
A year goes by awfully fast when you’re working two full-time jobs. With only 81 days remaining in my term as State Bar president, I look forward to the ability to just focus on my clients and my law practice. For now, however, I find myself working late into the night to catch up on … Continue Reading
Tough on Crime, Smart on Crime
(The following President’s column appeared in the December 2011 issue of the Georgia Bar Journal.)
My first job after law school was as an assistant district attorney in the small town where I had graduated from high school. I was 26 but in blue jeans rather than a suit could have passed for a decade younger. … Continue Reading
More colorful ribbons . . . .
Upon my arrival at our State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors meeting at Jekyll Island, a staff member handed me the traditional name tag with various colorful ribbons hanging off the bottom signifying offices, honors, etc. I’ve always felt those made me look like an admiral of the navy of a small, landlocked dictatorship. … Continue Reading
Virtuous Lawyer is Not an Oxymoron
The following article was published as my President’s Column in the October 2011 issue of the Georgia Bar Journal.
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Virtuous Lawyer is Not an Oxymoron
by Kenneth L. Shigley
President, State Bar of Georgia
James[1] had great unrealized potential. Son of a minister in another Southern state, he won admission to an Ivy League university but washed out … Continue Reading
Trial preparation – draft jury instructions early
As president of the State Bar of Georgia, I often have occasion to speak at events that extend beyond my own personal injury, wrongful death and commercial trucking law practice. The following is excerpted from my presentation — “Trial Preparation: 30 tips in 30 Minutes” – at the Georgia Law of … Continue Reading
Trial preparation – social media
As president of the State Bar of Georgia, I often have occasion to speak at events that extend beyond my own personal injury, wrongful death and commercial trucking law practice. The following is excerpted from my presentation — “Trial Preparation: 30 tips in 30 Minutes” – at the … Continue Reading
