Georgia Divorce Law 101 (2021 Edition)

David Lefkowitz | The Lefkowitz Firm

David Lefkowitz graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in 1985 and earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law in 1988. The Lefkowitz Firm, LLC, represents individuals and corporations in their claims for legal malpractice (legal negligence) and similar claims such as breach of fiduciary duty, executor misconduct, and ethical misconduct by attorneys and other fiduciaries. The firm also represents attorneys and law firms regarding risk management and attorney’s fee disputes. David is an adjunct professor of legal malpractice law, ethics, and risk management at the University of Georgia School of Law and is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars. He serves on multiple committees at the State Bar of Georgia, and he is Chair of the Formal Advisory Opinion Board.  David has offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Athens, Georgia.

Tracy Ann Moore-Grant | Patterson Moore Butler

Tracy Ann Moore-Grant has practiced exclusively in family law in the North Georgia area since 2002. She is an attorney and founding partner of Patterson Moore Butler, mediator, arbitrator, guardian ad litem and parent coordinator. She founded the Amicable Divorce Network in 2019 to promote low conflict divorce resolutions and to identify for the public the professionals who will engage in an amicable process, have the needed experience for family law cases and engage in fair billing practices. Since 2019, the Amicable Divorce Network has grown to assist clients all over Georgia and in the fall of 2021 is launching to accept members and help clients all over the world. The Amicable Divorce Network will have a companion website, Divorce Amicably, to help the public become educated on amicable divorce and offer resources and information.

Ms. Moore-Grant enjoys being involved in her community and has received several awards and recognitions over the years. Most recently she was given the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubble in 2018 which is the highest rating an attorney can receive for legal ability and ethical standards. She has been recognized as a Top 10 Female Family Law Attorney in Georgia since 2016 and she has been awarded the 2020 Distinguished Leadership Award from the Daily Report for her founding of the Amicable Divorce Network. She is a regular speaker on podcasts, at continuing education events and writes articles on the topic of amicable divorce.  She is obsessed with schnauzers.

John Killeen, Principal | Bodker, Ramsey, Andrews, Winograd & Wildstein

John is a Principal with Bodker, Ramsey, Andrews, Winograd & Wildstein and has been with the firm since 2002.  John’s primary areas of practice include Family Law; divorce, custody and visitation, child support, alimony, property division, modification, and family violence issues, Estate and Probate Litigation; disputes over Will validity, guardianships, and conservatorships for individuals with diminished mental capacity, and disputes over estate administration.  John is a Frequent speaker on the topics of family law and estate planning and volunteers at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church educating divorcing parents.

Shawna Woods | Atlanta Divorce Law Group

Shawna Woods is the Managing Partner of Atlanta Divorce Law Group in Alpharetta, Georgia. She celebrated her first-year anniversary with the firm this past June. Prior to being with ADLG, Shawna was working on her own after having worked and built several other firms in the Metro Atlanta area. Shawna has over 18 years of Family Law experience, which lends itself well to her legal team that she oversees. One of Shawna’s most vital roles at ADLG is preserving the firm’s culture and guiding values. Problem solving through the lens of ADLG’s culture and guiding values, she can be a successful servant leader to her clients and employees.

Jennifer Brown | Brown & Dutton

Jenni has more than nine years of litigation experience specializing in divorce, modifications, custody cases and other family law related matters. While attending law school she was awarded a certificate specializing in Family Law. Jenni was nominated as a Georgia Super Lawyer in 2017, 2018 and 2019, an accolade awarded to fewer than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state. Additionally, in 2018, 2019, and 2020 Jenni was nominated by Georgia’s Trend Legal Elite.

Jenni is a natural leader, and her clients describe her as compassionate, confident, and aggressive when necessary. She is known for her ability to openly communicate with her clients and explain a complex situation in a way that all clients understand what to expect throughout the litigation process. Additionally, her clients describe her as a realist. She will always be truthful to clients and give them a realistic expectation of what to expect when facing a Judge.

Jenni is an active member of the Cobb Bar Association and State Bar of Georgia. She is originally from Austin, Texas but has lived in Georgia for ten years. Jenni has been married for seven years and has two children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at church, exercising, and participating in outdoor activities.

Session I – Ethical Considerations in Georgia Divorce Law | 10:00am – 11:00am
1. Ethical Rules that are particularly important in divorce litigation.
2. Malpractice traps for lawyers representing clients who are getting a divorce.
3. Managing client expectations

Break | 11:00am – 11:10am

Session II – Conducting a Successful Initial Client Interview | 11:10am– 11:55am
1. How to gather and give the proper information to get the client and the attorneys set up for success
2. Key questions you should ask your client
3. Sample intake

Session III – Fillings and Pleadings, Restraining Orders and Equitable Distribution | 11:55am – 2:05pm
1. Introduction | 11:55am – 12:10pm

Break | 12:10pm – 12:20pm

2. Common filings and pleadings in a divorce matter | 12:20pm – 12:50pm
3. Common divorce legal issues to be dealt with; and | 12:50pm – 1:20pm

Lunch Break | 1:20pm – 1:50pm

4. How to protect your client and deal with Family Violence issues | 1:50pm – 2:05pm

Session IV – Pre and Post nuptial Agreements | 2:05pm – 2:50pm
1. To prepare an airtight pre or post nuptial agreement | 2:05pm – 2:50pm

Break | 2:50pm – 3:00pm

Session V – Child Custody & Support, Mediation | 3:00pm – 4:40pm
1. Child Custody & Support | 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Break 4:00pm – 4:10pm

2. Mediation | 4:10pm – 4:40pm