The Family Law Section, which counts nearly 2,000 active members in its ranks, is extremely active in the Bar and strives to keep its members on the cutting edge of the ever-changing dynamics in this area of practice.  The Section promotes continuing legal education by sponsoring with ICLE each year the Family Law Institute in May and two Nuts and Bolts of Family Law seminars, traditionally held in Savannah at the end of summer and in Atlanta in the beginning of fall.  The Section also monitors legislation and assists in drafting legislation in the area of family law.  The Section publishes a quarterly newsletter which includes articles on emerging areas of the practice, interviews with members of the judiciary, summaries of new appellate cases, and updates on the latest legislation and changes to the Superior Court Rules.  The Younger Lawyer’s Family Law Section promotes networking among its members and coordinates exciting fundraisers for the community.

The Section annually awards the Joseph T. Tuggle, Jr. Professionalism Award to recognize the member who has in the given year best exemplified the ideals of professionalism that Joe Tuggle sought to promote every day in his 35-year career in family law.  The Award is given at the annual Family Law Institute in the late spring each year.

In addition, the Section bestows the Jack P. Turner Award only in years when it is determined that a Section member, over the course of his or her career as a lawyer or a judge, has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the area of family law.  Recipients of the Turner award are generally recognized by the members of the Section as having achieved the highest pinnacle of service to the Section, the Bar in general, the area of family law, and to the guiding principles of ethics and professionalism that we all strive to put into our practices every day.

The Family Law Section is an unlimited source of assistance and guidance for its members while always keeping integrity and respect as its primary goals. Membership of the Section is open to all members of the State Bar of Georgia who practice or are interested in the area of family law. If you are interested in joining the Family Law Section of the State Bar, contact the Bar directly or visit the State Bar’s website at www.gabar.org. New Members are always welcome to join anytime!