At Drew Eckl & Farnham, we believe in making a positive impact in our community beyond the courtroom. Recently, our team, including our summer associates, had the privilege of volunteering at PAWS Atlanta, one of the few no-kill shelters in Georgia and a vital animal welfare organization in our city. Our team rolled up their sleeves to tackle several important projects that directly support PAWS Atlanta's mission. We moved large deliveries of cat litter and shelter pet food, sorted newspaper for kennel and litterbox lining, tidied up storage areas, and assembled new cat carriers for transporting animals to foster homes. Beyond the physical work, our team members spent quality time ... Continue Reading
What You Need to Know About the 2025 Georgia Workers’ Compensation Rule Changes
The Legislature made no statutory changes to the Workers Compensation Act in 2025. However, effective July 1, 2025, the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) has introduced several important updates to its rules. These changes include clarifications, organizational edits, and substantive revisions aimed at improving consistency and transparency in the workers' compensation process. Below is a quick overview of the most notable amendments: Attorney Fees on Medical Expenses (Rules 15(e) and 108(b)(8)) Under the new rules, attorneys may request fees on medical expenses in limited circumstances, even when income benefits are no longer being paid.To do this, ... Continue Reading
Drew Eckl & Farnham Expands Its Team with Five New Attorneys
ATLANTA, GA – Drew Eckl & Farnham is proud to announce the addition of five new attorneys—Rashad Johnson, M. Ann McElroy, Lexie Carmon, James Gates and Rashad Simon—as the firm continues its strategic growth across key practice areas. These talented attorneys bring diverse perspectives and strong litigation experience to support the firm’s mission of delivering exceptional legal services across Georgia and the Southeast. “We’re excited to welcome Rashad, Ann, James, Rashad, and Lexie to the firm,” said Joe Chancey, Managing Partner of Drew Eckl & Farnham. “We’re gratified that they’ve decided that we’re the best place to advance their careers and we look forward to their ... Continue Reading
Summer Highlight: Meet Janae Streator
Meet Janae Streator, one of our standout summer associates whose passion for community, curiosity about the courtroom, and commitment to showing up for others make her a natural fit at Drew Eckl & Farnham. As she dives into hands-on legal work this summer, she brings the same energy and drive that helped her thrive in law school—and we’re thrilled to have her on the team. What’s been your favorite part of law school so far?"My favorite part of law school thus far has been the community I have built and become a part of. Georgia State Law has a really collaborative and collegial environment that has fostered my success as a law student." Janae thrives in a strong, supportive ... Continue Reading
Mike Bagley to Speak at GWCA Spring Conference 2025
We’re proud to announce that partner, Mike Bagley, will be speaking at the Georgia Workers' Compensation Association (GWCA) Spring Conference 2025 in Jekyll Island, GA. Dates: June 1-3, 2025Location: Jekyll Island Convention Center Mike will join a distinguished panel for the session: “A Panel on the Panel of Physicians: Best Practices, Pitfalls, and Utilizing 21st Century Technology” Alongside: This session will delve into modernizing the management of panels of physicians, addressing common challenges, and leveraging technology to enhance outcomes in workers' compensation cases. Learn more about the conference: GWCA Spring Conference 2025 ... Continue Reading
Christy Walsh Speaks at ALA’s 2025 Conference in Nashville
Our COO Christy Walsh will speak at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference & Expo in Nashville on Wednesday, May 21st. Her session, "Can We Truly Juggle It All? Time Management Skills for Busy Legal Administrators," will run from 9:00 to 10:00 am and focus on practical techniques for eliminating distractions, improving efficiency, and setting healthy workplace boundaries. This interactive workshop addresses the challenges legal administrators face in today's constantly connected environment. Christy will share actionable strategies for managing competing deadlines, getting organized, and prioritizing effectively. To learn more about the conference, visit this link: ALA's Annual ... Continue Reading
Barbara Marschalk to Speak at 2025 State Court Judges’ Spring Conference
Partner Barbara Marschalk will present at the 2025 State Court Judges' Spring Conference taking place May 14-16, 2025, at the Legacy Lodge at Lake Lanier Islands in Buford, Georgia. She will serve as a co-presenter for the "Civil Case Law Update" session. The annual Spring Conference brings together distinguished members of Georgia's legal community to explore emerging trends, procedural developments, and significant judicial issues affecting state courts. This gathering offers valuable continuing education and networking opportunities for judges and legal professionals across the state. We are proud to have Barbara representing our firm at this important conference, reflecting our ... Continue Reading
Matt Nanninga to Speak at SB68 Panel Discussion
Matt Nanninga will serve as a panelist at the upcoming event "Analyzing SB68: Unpacking the Impact on Case Settlement," a special panel discussion for Georgia lawyers and claims professionals. The event will take place on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Henning Mediation & Arbitration Service, Inc. Matt will be speaking specifically on the Damages/Medical panel, one of several topic areas that will be covered during this comprehensive event. The panel will be moderated by Robert Katz. [For complete details and registration information, please visit the Henning Mediation & Arbitration website.] ... Continue Reading
Christy Walsh Named President-elect of Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators Board
We’re proud to announce that our COO, Christy Walsh, has been elected as President-elect for the 2025-2026 Board of Directors at the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators (AALA). This recognition highlights Christy’s leadership excellence and her standing in the Atlanta legal community. In this role, she’ll help shape AALA’s future and support professional development for legal management professionals across Atlanta. Please join us in congratulating Christy on this achievement. We know she’ll bring the same dedication and vision to AALA that she shows every day as our COO. ... Continue Reading
Drew Eckl’s Finest Takes on the ATLBocce League!
Our attorneys are taking on a new challenge—bocce! This season, we’ve joined the ATLBocce League for the first time, bringing teamwork and a competitive spirit from the courtroom to the bocce court. Playing under the name Drew Eckl’s Finest, our team had an exciting debut last night, facing off against Bocced Lobotomies in a thrilling match. While we held our own until the very end, we ultimately accepted defeat. Despite the loss, team spirits are high! Bocce has already proven to be a great way for the team to unwind, build camaraderie, and take on a new kind of challenge outside the office. With each match, we’re refining our skills, learning the game, and, most importantly, having ... Continue Reading