News from February 2025
MIT student wins first place in AI negotiation competition
By GA News Gazette | Feb 20, 2025
Allison L. Brown, a second-year student, has been recognized for her achievement in the inaugural MIT AI Negotiation Competition's Value Created category.
Professor Sonja R. West featured in Wall Street Journal article on free speech
By GA News Gazette | Feb 20, 2025
Sonja R. West, Brumby Distinguished Professor in First Amendment Law, was recently featured in The Wall Street Journal.
Uber expands insurance reform push with new ads in Georgia
By A. B. Bamburg | Feb 19, 2025
Uber Technologies Inc. announced the launch of an advertising campaign in Georgia to address high rideshare insurance costs and advocate for policy changes.
Uber advocates for insurance reforms in states like Georgia to reduce rideshare costs
By A. C. Benavides | Feb 19, 2025
Uber has announced its advocacy for insurance policy reforms in states such as Georgia to address high rideshare insurance costs and reduce fares for consumers.
Harpaz discusses global tax issues at Columbia Law School
By GA News Gazette | Feb 19, 2025
Assistant Professor Assaf Harpaz delivered a presentation titled “Global Tax Wars in the Digital Era” at Columbia University Law School.
Lithonia man convicted for murder; sentencing pending
By GA News Gazette | Feb 19, 2025
A Lithonia man has been found guilty of murder and other charges related to a 2020 homicide.
ADEDC announces Gov. Kemp's tort reform bill aims to curb inflated damages, reduce costs
By C. M. Schmidlkofer | Feb 18, 2025
The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission (ADEDC) has announced that Governor Brian Kemp's recently signed tort reform bill is expected to help deter inflated damages in lawsuits, ultimately reducing costs for businesses and consumers.
Man sentenced for firing machine gun at Georgia patrol officer
By GA News Gazette | Feb 18, 2025
Montrez Ballard has been sentenced to a decade in prison for firing a machine gun at a Georgia State Patrol officer.
Practicum aids in organizing first-ever vet training event
By GA News Gazette | Feb 18, 2025
The Practicum in Animal Welfare Skills (PAWS), under the direction of Stanton Distinguished Professor in Canine Welfare Law Lisa Milot, collaborated with the United Spay Alliance to organize a pioneering one-day wet lab for dogs.
Chief Judge Scott Smith shares insights with future advocates at Emory University
By GA News Gazette | Feb 18, 2025
Chief Judge Scott Smith of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Superior Court recently addressed first-year law students in Professor Michael Mears’ 1L Art of Advocacy class.
Georgia's SB 91 seeks to ban contracts with pharmacy benefit managers owning retail pharmacies
By GA News Gazette | Feb 17, 2025
The Georgia State Senate has introduced Senate Bill 91, a legislative measure aimed at prohibiting the Board of Community Health from contracting with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that own or have stakes in retail pharmacies.
CEO of III on billboard attorneys: There are 'increases in claims costs when attorneys enter into the picture'
By B. J. Milam | Feb 17, 2025
Sean Kevelighan, CEO of the Insurance Information Institute (III), said that legal system abuse is contributing to increased insurance costs in Georgia, emphasizing the necessity for tort reform to address rising claims expenses.
Rodrigues receives mentor award from GAPABA
By GA News Gazette | Feb 17, 2025
Dean Usha R. Rodrigues has been honored with the 2025 Han C. Choi Mentor Award by the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA).
Governor Kemp's tort reform package clears first major hurdle
By A. C. Benavides | Feb 14, 2025
Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG) announced that Governor Brian Kemp's tort reform package has cleared its first major hurdle, passing out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Community HeLP Clinic secures asylum for client after nine years
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 14, 2025
Second-year student Elizabeth M. “Beth” Boland and third-year student Lauren R. Harter have successfully secured asylum for a long-time client of the Community Health Law Partnership Clinic.
Beasley Allen celebrates six attorneys named on 2025 Georgia Super Lawyers lists
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 14, 2025
Six attorneys from the Atlanta office of Beasley Allen Law Firm have been recognized in the 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
Atlanta News First features professor Lisa Milot on illegal puppy sales
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 14, 2025
Stanton Distinguished Professor in Canine Welfare Law & Practicum in Animal Welfare Skills Director Lisa Milot was recently featured on Atlanta News First.
Property owners urged to enhance security against sexual assaults
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 14, 2025
Business and property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe environments, especially for minors.
Cobb man receives life sentence for girlfriend's murder
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 14, 2025
Cobb County District Attorney Sonya F. Allen announced the conviction of Charles Franklin Cook, 42, for the murder of his girlfriend, Melinda Colleen Jolly.
Senate bill 68 seeks changes to Georgia’s civil court process
By K. T. Sarmiento | Feb 13, 2025
The Georgia State Senate has introduced SB 68, a bill aimed at comprehensive changes to the state's civil court process.