News from February 2025
State director of NFIB: ‘Gov. Kemp’s tort reform package is one of NFIB’s top priorities this session’
By A. B. Bamburg | Feb 28, 2025
Hunter Loggins, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), has identified Governor Brian Kemp's tort reform package as a top priority for the organization this legislative session.
ATRA president: Tort reform is needed to maintain Georgia’s status as 'the best place in the country to run a business’
By A. B. Bamburg | Feb 28, 2025
Tiger Joyce, president of the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), announced that the organization is urging the Georgia House to pass tort reform aimed at addressing punitive and unethical verdicts in the state.
Georgia Senate unanimously approves third-party litigation funding regulations
By A. C. Benavides | Feb 28, 2025
The Georgia State Senate has unanimously approved new regulations on third-party litigation funding, as part of Governor Brian Kemp's broader tort reform package.
Amann discusses child-taking justice at Washington University
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 28, 2025
Diane Marie Amann, a Regents' Professor of International Law and Woodruff Chair in International Law, delivered a presentation titled “Child-Taking Justice and Forced Residential Schooling of Indigenous Americans.” This event was part of the...
Miami man sentenced for role in COVID-19 PPP fraud scheme
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 28, 2025
Jerry Baptiste, the last of 20 individuals charged in a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been sentenced for his involvement.
Georgia State Senate passes second tort reform bill with unanimous 52-0 vote
By C. M. Schmidlkofer | Feb 27, 2025
The Georgia State Senate announced that tort reform Senate Bill 69 passed unanimously with a 52-0 vote.
Gov. Kemp on passage of second tort reform bill: 'We need tort reform, and we need it now'
By C. M. Schmidlkofer | Feb 27, 2025
Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, announced that Senate Bill 69, the second part of the state's Tort Reform package, passed the Senate with unanimous support and is now advancing to the House.
Executive Director of Georgians for Lawsuit Reform: 'Tort reform will provide relief' for farmers
By B. B. Urness | Feb 27, 2025
James Beal, executive director of Georgians for Lawsuit Reform, said that tort reform would protect farmers from frivolous claims and other forms of lawsuit abuse.
Man convicted for fatal arson attack in Cobb County
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 27, 2025
A Cobb County jury has found Robert Colt Smith, 32, guilty of two counts of felony murder and first-degree arson.
Judge Glenda Hatchett to speak at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School commencement
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 27, 2025
Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School has announced that Judge Glenda Hatchett will be the commencement speaker for the 2025 graduation ceremony scheduled for May 17th.
West discusses press clause at Villanova Law symposium
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 27, 2025
Sonja R. West, the Brumby Distinguished Professor in First Amendment Law, recently presented her work titled "The Work of the Press Clause" at a symposium hosted by the Villanova Law Review.
Sen. Kennedy on Senate Bill 68: It's 'putting all Georgians first'
By B. B. Urness | Feb 26, 2025
John F. Kennedy, Senator for Georgia, said that the proposed civil justice legislation is focused on stabilizing costs and ensuring fairness for all Georgians, rather than protecting corporate profits.
Executive director of PACT on Senate Bill 68: 'Lower costs, more transparency'
By B. J. Milam | Feb 26, 2025
Lauren Zelt, Executive Director of Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), said that the passage of Senate Bill 68 by the Georgia Senate will assist consumers and small businesses by reducing costs and enhancing transparency.
Former CBP officer convicted for smuggling over 16 kilograms of cocaine
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 26, 2025
Ivan Van Beverhoudt, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, has been found guilty of importing and possessing over 16 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Supreme Court hears landmark case involving Smith & Wesson Brands
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 26, 2025
Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, a significant case before the U.S. Supreme Court, could have broad implications for industries facing litigation over product-related harms.
UGA Law celebrates near-perfect bar passage rate for Class of 2022
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 26, 2025
The University of Georgia School of Law's Class of 2022 achieved a significant milestone with an Ultimate Bar Passage rate of 98.95%.
State Sen. Dolezal: Tort reform helped Florida achieve 'lowest insurance rate increase in the entire country'
By B. B. Urness | Feb 25, 2025
Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal, representing the 27th District, highlighted Florida's tort reform as a contributing factor to the state's low insurance rate increases during a Senate floor debate on February 21.
ATRA supports reforms targeting phantom damages and jury anchoring in Georgia
By A. B. Bamburg | Feb 25, 2025
The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) has announced that Georgia's Senate Bill 68 aims to restore fairness in the state's civil justice system by reforming litigation practices such as phantom damages and jury anchoring.
Rodrigues joins European Corporate Governance Institute as research member
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 25, 2025
Dean Usha R. Rodrigues has been chosen as a research member of the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI).
CASA hosts annual DFCS appreciation breakfast
By A. I. Benavidez | Feb 25, 2025
Cobb County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers and staff organized their annual breakfast to express gratitude towards Cobb County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) Social Service Case Managers.