February 28, 2022 — Partner and DRI President Douglas Burrell was featured in a Law360 article discussing his career path, his role as President of DRI - known as "Lawyers Representing Business" - and the current issues with on how an increase in diversity among associates struggles to translate to the partnership level. "They're hiring these attorneys, but they aren't nurturing them to get to the partnership levels. It is unfathomable to me that law firms — that have the brainpower that they do — have not been able to figure out the issue of how to support diverse attorneys so they can become partners in the law firms."Douglas Burrell, Partner & DRI President Douglas’ 15 years of ... Continue Reading
Atlanta Business Chronicle
Drew Eckl & Farnham continues to be recognized by Atlanta Business Chronicle for its success as an Atlanta law firm. We are excited to announce that DEF was ranked as the 5th “Fastest-Growing Law Firm by Attorneys” in the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle Book of Lists. This list is determined by a three-year percent change in number of Atlanta attorneys. Additionally, DEF is ranked as No. 14 on the list of Atlanta's Top 25 Law Firms in 2020. Some of the Firm's key practice areas were highlighted including workers’ compensation, corporate defense litigation, insurance defense, general liability, and construction litigation. To view a complete list of practice areas for the firm, ... Continue Reading
Whitney Lay Greene and Melody Kiella Featured in For the Defense
Drew Eckl & Farnham partners Whitney Lay Greene and Melody Kiella were featured in DRI's December edition of "For the Defense" for their article titled "Catch Me If You Can: How to Avoid, Identify, and Combat Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident Fraud." Whitney and Melody discuss the increase of staged accident and fraudulent personal injury claims and provide examples of some of the most popular types. They then offer insight on how to recognize red flags indicating a possible staged accident and how to approach the defense against such claims. To read the full article, click the link below. DRI is a national organization for civil defense attorneys, in-house counsel, and ... Continue Reading
Elissa Haynes Featured in Law360 Article on Biggest Georgia Decisions of 2021
On December 17, 2021, Elissa Haynes was featured in a Law360 article featuring some of the biggest legal decisions in Georgia in the past year. Elissa, chair of the appellate group at Drew Eckl & Farnham, shared her thoughts on Georgia justices' overruling of decades-long rulings that allowed parties to appeal alleged violations of orders limiting what evidence can be presented at trial even if litigants didn't object to those violations during the trial. See below for the full article. ... Continue Reading
Georgia Lawyer Spotlight: Douglas Burrell in Georgia Bar Journal
On December 20, 2021, partner Douglas Burrell was interviewed for the Georgia Bar Journal's "Georgia Lawyer Spotlight" installment in its December issue. Titled "A Conversation with Douglas Burrell," Jacob E. Daly of the Georgia Bar Journal editorial board asks Douglas several questions that span the course of his career, from Douglas' years of playing college football for the University of Iowa to his recent inauguration as president of DRI | Lawyers Representing Business. To read the full article, click on the link below. ... Continue Reading
Associate Joi Siler Assists in Big Win Nine Days After Passing Georgia Bar Exam
Drew Eckl & Farnham would like to congratulate first-year Associate, Joi Siler, for her outstanding work with Partner Gary Beelen on their recent Gilchrist v. Pickens case. Siler, who is a former 2020 Summer Associate, had only passed the Georgia Bar exam nine days prior. At Drew Eckl & Farnham, we take great pride in ensuring our Associates receive unique, hands-on experience at the very start of their careers. Regarding Joi's impact on their win, Beelen has written the below: "Joi was a Summer Associate last year. She did a bit of work for me and did an excellent job. All the interns we interview are smart, but I was looking for some interesting life experiences when I was ... Continue Reading
Elissa Haynes Discusses Mental Health in Georgia Bar Journal
On December 20, 2021, partner Elissa Haynes was featured in the Georgia Bar Journal's December issue for her article titled "It's OK Not To Be OK." Elissa shares her own experience managing her mental health and discusses her findings when asking several other young lawyers how work is affecting their mental well-being. To read the full article, click on the link below. ... Continue Reading
Douglas Burrell Featured in AJC Newsmakers
On November 28, 2021, Douglas Burrell was featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Newsmakers section. The feature announces Douglas' inauguration as president of DRI, the leading organization of civil defense attorneys and in-house counsel in the country. Douglas will remain president of DRI for the 2021-2022 term. The feature is available on the Sunday, November 28, 2021 edition of the AJC. To access the electronic version of the paper, click the link below. For the full announcement of Douglas Burrell becoming president of DRI, click the link below to access our press release. ... Continue Reading
“From Mentee to Mentor: Encouraging the Next Generation of Leaders,” Elissa Haynes for the Georgia Bar Journal
An article written by Elissa Haynes, Chair of Drew Eckl & Farnham's Appellate practice group and YLD President for the State Bar of Georgia, was recently published to the October edition of the Georgia Bar Journal. "I also recognize that I would not be where I am today if it were not for the countless hours my mentors spent teaching me not only how to practice law, but how to be a leader in the legal profession."Elissa b. haynes, georgial bar journal, october 2021 Aptly titled, "From Mentee to Mentor: Encouraging the Next Generation of Leaders," Haynes details the impact of receiving mentorship on her own career development and highlights the transition from mentee to mentor. ... Continue Reading
Neil Brunetz: OSHA 101
OSHA information to keep in mind. OSHA and its 10 Regional Federal Offices along with 28 individual states have state sponsored plans that cover workers: Private Sector Workers — Most private sector employers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. jurisdictions are covered directly through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state plan.State and Local Government Workers — Workers at state and local government agencies are not covered by Federal OSHA, but have may have protections through an OSHA-approved state program.Federal Government Workers — OSHA's protection applies to all federal agencies. OSHA does not fine federal agencies, but monitors ... Continue Reading