The Practitioner › briefs › nbaorg › sfspd_summer2013.pdfIn 2010, he opened his third office in Memphis, Tenn. He hopes to open a fourth law office on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi

S mal l F i rm s/ S o lo Pra c t i t i on er s ’ D iv i s i on o f th e Nat io na l Ba r Ass o c ia t i on

The Practitioner S ma l l F i r ms / S o lo Pr a c t i t i o n e r s ’ D iv i s io n o f t h e Nat ion a l B a r A s s o c ia t ion

Inside this issue:

Member Spotlight 1

Destination Meetings 4-9

Welcome From The Chair 5

Award Recipients 10-12

Upcoming Events 20

Volume II, Issue 2 Spring/Summer 2013

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

The Small Firms/Solo Practitioners’ Division is pleased to inform you that member, Carlos Moore, has been named Attorney of the Month from the “Attorney At Law” Magazine. The article, in its entirety, can be read at www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com. Mr. Moore is featured in the Mississippi Edition, volume 2. Congratulations, we are proud of you.

Attorney Carlos Moore has received many awards and commendations over the past decade of practicing law, including a prestigious national award. But these recognitions are not how he measures his success as a per-sonal injury and workers’ compensation attorney. His reward comes when his clients get a huge smile on their face, cry tears of joy, or just have a look of relief when they receive the justice they were looking for.

“The look on their face is simply priceless to me,” Moore says. “I went into personal injury law because I want-ed to give a voice to the voiceless and get justice for the little guy.” While Moore typically shows a matter-of-fact demeanor, when he begins talking about justice for his clients, his voice fills with passion and excitement.

Moore was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi and grew up in Moss Point, Mississippi where he was salutatorian of Moss Point High School Class of 1995. While many lawyers can point to a specific moment or event when they decided to go into the legal profession, Moore just always knew that he wanted to be a lawyer. While growing up, he would watch “Perry Mason” and “Matlock” reruns on television whenever he could.

“All of my life I have enjoyed public speaking, debating and keeping up with law and politics. Being a lawyer was really just intrinsic to me and a no-brainer,” he says.

Moore earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1999 from the University of South Alabama and graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 2002. He then came back to his home state of Mississippi and practiced law as an associate with Harlow Law Firm until 2006 when he opened his first law office in Grenada. Two years later, Moore opened a second office in Jackson, Miss.


The Practitioner Page 2

In 2010, he opened his third office in Memphis, Tenn. He hopes to open a fourth law office on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Since Moore works out of all three offices, he selected locations that were within a 90 minute drive to maximize his time.

At each office, he has set up a business model that best works with his resources and the community. Moore owns the building where his Grenada office is located, and the location uses a traditional law firm model with a dedicated office staff. The Jackson office uses a different arrangement with both Moore and his junior partner, Tangala L. Hollis, practicing out of a space shared with a group of other independent lawyers. An even more unique approach is taken at the Memphis office with Moore traveling to the office for appointments and working in a virtual office space using a common receptionist with several businesses outside the legal profession.

“We have worked hard to build relationships and form alliances with other professionals, both in and outside of the legal profession, to make the satellite office arrangements successful,” says Moore.

While the legal skills have come naturally to Moore, he has found running the business side of his law practice to be more challenging. “I never even took a business course in college and everything I have learned about busi-ness is from learning on the job and innate knowledge,” he says. “I have had to learn how to do everything from human resources, social media, marketing and public relations.” Since he is often working at one of the satellite offices, Moore says that the key to success and sanity has been hiring people that he trusts. “People see me out front as the owner of the firm, but I think of my practice as a team sport. My wonderful and supportive team-mates are the real reason for the success of Moore Law Office to date. I really appreciate every member of my team,” he says.

One of the reasons for his success is the personal interest he takes in each client and their case. Last year, Moore represented the widow and children of a man who died in a fire due to negligence from a gas company and was able to get financial renumeration for the family. Even though Moore never met the man, he spent hours looking at pictures and hearing stories about him from his family and felt like he knew him. “While nothing will bring their loved one back, I was thrilled that we were able to make the gas company pay and hopefully prevent the same fate for someone else,” Moore says. “It was wonderful to not let his death go in vain and to make the company responsible for the loss of his life pay dearly for its negligence.”

But it isn’t just clients who have taken note of his compassion and legal skills. His success has been recognized by the legal community both in Mississippi and nationally. The Mississippi Bar named Moore Outstanding Young Lawyer of Mississippi in 2008, making him the first African-American to receive the award. In 2012, he was named a White House Fellows Regional Finalist as well as national Young Lawyer of the Year by the National Bar Association young lawyers division. “It was such an honor to be named national Young Lawyer of the Year. You wouldn’t think that a country boy from a little town in Mississippi would be able to receive such a prestigious national honor,” he says.

(The remainder of the article can be found in its entirety in Attorney At Law Magazine: www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com.)


Page 3 Volume II, Issue 1

NBA 88th Annual Convention & Exhibits


The Practitioner Page 4 Mid-Winter Conference



It's time to begin planning to be at next year's International Affiliates Meeting. We have a great trip planned that promises to raise the bar yet again. Please review the information below to learn more about next year's event. You can also visit nba.gitravel.com to download a detailed itinerary and to register. Space will be limited so book early. A $250 deposit secures your space and locks in your airfare rate. The dedicated staff at Georgia International Travel is available to coordinate your travel bookings. Please contact Georgia International Travel via the nba.gitravel.com web portal or use the contact information provided below.

NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES MEETING 2014

WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR

I trust that all members of our Division have registered for the 88th Annual Convention in Miami, Florida from July 27-August 1, 2013. There is nothing like a NBA Convention, so be sure to register. It is so important to attend the Convention and not only participate in the seminars, receptions, and parties, but also the plenary sessions where the business of the organization occurs. This is where you can make your voice heard to help shape the future of our beloved National Bar Association. At the convention, our past chair and co-founder Patricia M. Rosier will be sworn in as the next President of the National Bar Association. The Division lends its support behind Pamela Means as the next President-Elect of the NBA. Be sure to attend and vote on Tuesday, July 30th. To register for the 88th Annual Convention, or for more information visit: www.nationalbar.org.

John A. Moore, Esq. Division Chair Atlanta, GA

[email protected]

The Small Firms/Solo Practitioner’s Division Website has officially launched! Visit www.nbasfspd.com for any updates and news. Thank you for your support and let’s make this bar year the best we’ve ever had!

John Moore, Esq. is a solo-practitioner at The Moore Law Group, LLC located in Atlanta, Georgia. He founded the firm in March 2008 and has a general practice concentrating in the areas of: commercial litigation, bankruptcy (commercial and consumer), social security and personal injury. Prior to founding The Moore Law Group, John was a senior associate at the law firm of Powell Gold-stein LLP located in Atlanta, Georgia, where he concentrated his practice in the areas of bankruptcy law, bankruptcy litigation, real estate law, real estate litigation and commercial litigation. John received his JD in 2000 from The Florida State University College of Law, where he served as the Writing and Research Editor of The Florida State University Law Review. He received his BS, with distinction, in Business Administration from Florida A&M University in 1996. In addition, Mr. Moore devotes a considerable amount of pro-bono time to the Georgia Justice Project and has been selected as a 2005 and 2007 Georgia Super Lawyers' Rising Star.

http://www.nationalbar.org/

http://www.nbasfspd.com/







LONDON

GARBORONE

KESANE





ESQUIRE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Recognizing the importance of exposing younger generations to African American lawyers, since 2000 , Attorney Dorothy White-Coleman, has served on the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Internship Program (“SLIP”), which is a twenty-year-old organization that provides inner city youth with paid internships in professional set-tings, along with work readiness training and year-round post-secondary planning activities. Each year since SLIP’s inception, her Firm has employed an intern. Addi-tionally, the Firm donates money, on an annual basis, for college scholarships to the “Sky is the Limit”, which is a career readiness program sponsored by the Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club (“Mathews-Dickey”) that pairs young women with men-tors, and the Normandy School District Foundation. Ms. White-Coleman also partici-pates each year as a presenter in Mathews-Dickey’s annual Women in Careers Work-

shop for young women. Dorothy White-Coleman, Esq.

Attorney Pamela Meanes is National Bar Association Vice President of Finance and Past President of Mound City Bar Association and Mound City Bar Foundation of Mis-souri. Mrs. Meanes has received numerous awards including the Award of Merit from BAMSL, St. Louis University Black Law Student Association’s 2008 Outstanding Attor-ney Awards, Washington University of St. Louis Black Law Student Association 2008 Outstanding Achievement in Public Service Award, St. Louis Business Journal’s “40 under 40” recipient, selection in Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly “Up and Coming Lawyers,” St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Minority Business Leader, the YWCA Leader of Distinction Award, and the Women of Achievement Award, 2012 Sister to

Sister Award.

In addition, she has received numerous NBA honors including the 2012 NBA

Special Presidential award, 2012 & 2011 WLD Chair's award, 2011 & 2010 Presidential award,

2011 & 2010 Region of the Year, 2010 NBA Young Lawyers’ Hon. A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr.

award, and the 2007 Affiliate Chapter of the Year award. Throughout her career, Pamela has recognized the value of and has supported African American owned businesses, including minority-owned law firms. Pamela's support in the legal realm centers on her work with a number of African American owned firms, partnering with firms such as White Coleman & Associates, LLC, The Hale Law Firm, and Caldwell Hughes & Singleton to promote diversity within the legal field.

Pamela Meanes, Esq.




Benjamin Crump, Esquire and Daryl Parks, Esquire are owners of Parks and Crump, PC. Based out of Talla-hassee with a new office in Fort

Lauderdale. They have become champions in Wrongful Death and Civil Rights Litigations. Recently, Parks and Crump were instrumental in bringing the tragic death of a young Florida man killed by the hands of a neighbor-hood watchman to light. The case had been closed by the local police department without any charges. After At-torneys Parks and Crump began to represent the interests of the family, not only was the investigation re-opened, but charges were filed against the defendant.

Daryl Parks, Esq. (l) and Benjamin Crump, Esq. (r)

Forrest B. Johnson, Esquire is a Georgia attorney who works tirelessly to educate and mentor young attorneys. Attorney Johnson is a frequent lecturer on the topics of successful law firm management, emerging trial techniques and trends, and per-sonal injury litigation. His areas of practice include serious injury litigation.

When Attorney Johnson is not assisting clients, he is working on behalf of the com-munity. He has contributed to educational and athletic programs and has provided sponsorships for football, baseball and basketball teams in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Community.

W. George Allen, Esquire was the first African American graduate of the University of Florida School of Law and instrumental in the Civil Rights movement organizing sit-ins around Gainesville and throughout the State of Florida.

In 1963, Attorney Allen filed a lawsuit which led to the integration of Broward Coun-ty public schools. Allen and his family moved to Fort Lauderdale after he passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Florida Bar Association. Allen was hired at the law firm of Orr & Kaplan. After six months there, Allen started his own law practice where he has practiced for forty-two years. Allen specializes in trial work, probate, personal injury, insurance defense and wrongful death.

Forrest B. Johnson, Esq.

W. George Allen, Esq.



Natalie A. Jackson, Esquire is the founder of the Women’s Trial Group in Orlando, Florida. Attorney Jackson is best known for her work in advocating for the legal concerns of women and children and her work in her areas of practice: criminal defense, personal injury, injury to children and wrongful death as it relates to women and their families. She has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, Headline News, and several other local, statewide and national news channels. Attorney Jackson is also a member of the legal team representing the family of Trayvon Martin.


Natalie A. Jackson, Esq.

Nathaniel Lee, Esquire is the senior partner of Lee & Fairman, LLP in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has litigated in excess of 100 jury trials. He serves as Co-Chairman of the Lee Foundation. He has served on many community boards and projects. Attorney Lee is an advocate for the people of Indianapolis.

Mr. Lee has been consistently selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Nathaniel Lee, Esq.

Leslie Jones Thomas, Esquire of New York has a general litigation practice with specialties primarily in federal and state criminal cases (narcotics, homi-cides & forensic evidence), contested and uncontested matrimonial and fami-ly court matters, commercial litigation, Wills and small estates.

Attorney Thomas has extensive state court trial experience with respect to jury, non-jury trials (in all types of crimes) as well as numerous suppression hearings as a prosecutor and defense attorney. She has successfully handled a number of federal criminal cases in the Southern, Eastern Districts of New York and the Southern District of Florida, with an emphasis in drug traffick-ing.

Leslie Jones Thomas, Esq.



CONGRATULATIONS CORNER

Our very own Patricia Rosier will be sworn

in as the next Presi-

dent of the National

Bar Association on

Tuesday, July 30,

2013 in Miami, Flori-

da. Please come out

and show Patricia

your support.

Let’s Congratulate Reginald Roberts as

he was nominated to this year’s Nation’s Best Advocates and Impact’s “40 Under 40”. Reggie's litigation practice focuses on em-

ployment matters, civil rights, business litiga-

tion, serious personal injury and wrongful

death cases. In March 2013, Reggie won a

full defense victory in an Orange County

jury trial for Ford Motor Company.

Division Members, Ben Crump(l) and Daryl Parks(r) successfully represented the parents of Trayvon Martin

in a wrongful death action. Trayvon was the young man slain by the self-appointed neighborhood watch captain

in Sanford, Florida. They are continuing to represent the interest of the family.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=daryl+parks+and+benjamin+crump&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=IOm9Ei31tw0GAM&tbnid=tFpb7t3dGQ8qZM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zimbio.com%2Fphotos%2FDaryl%2BParks%2FBenjamin%2BCrump&ei=jHblUYaFGPX84AOomIDACA&






J. Renee Boston, Esq. Chevy Chase, MD

[email protected]

Welcome From The Editor

Welcome to Miami and the 88th Annual Convention and Exhibits. We hope you enjoy this issue of the Practitioner and look forward to your support for our Division in Miami.

Also be sure to get active in the National Bar Association and support our Chair Emeritus, Patricia Rosier as she is sworn in as President of the National Bar Association and lead our organization for the next year. This year is going to be our best year ever!

Thank you for reading and enjoy!









SUBMISSIONS, THOUGHTS OR IDEAS?

S mal l F i rm s/ S o lo Pra ct i t i on er s ’ D iv i s i on o f th e Nat io na l Ba r Ass o c ia t i on

We are all the way LIVE!

www.nbasfspd.com

THE PRACTITIONER

We are presently accepting submissions for our Fall issue of The Practitioner.

Submissions may be in the form of an article, interesting case notes, local write

-up, fun facts or any other form that celebrates us as small firm practitioners

and solo practitioners.

Submissions can be made to: [email protected] (Be sure to include

photos if desired.

Please make your plans to attend the one or both of the Legal Missions

abroad, the International Affiliates Meeting and the Small Firms/Solo

Practitioners’ Annual Conference in March 2014.

Upcoming Events:

July 27-August 1, 2013 88th Annual Convention & Exhibits

Fontainebleau Miami Beach Miami, FL

August 24, 2013

50th Anniversary of the March on Washington Washington, DC

September 23-30, 2013

NBA Legal Mission London, England

October 27-November 3, 2013 NBA Legal Mission

Republic of Botswana

March 19-23, 2014 SFSPD’s 19th Annual Conference

Punta Cana, DR

May 13th-14th 2014 NBA International Affiliates Meeting

Brazil

July/August 2014 89th Annual Convention & Exhibits

Atlanta, GA

Documents

The Practitioner › briefs › nbaorg › sfspd_summer2013.pdfIn 2010, he opened his third office in Memphis, Tenn. He hopes to open a fourth law office on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi