Taylor English Duma LLP Is The “Hall Of Fame Lead Sponsor” for the Atlanta Bar Foundation’s Third Annual LawJam 2012: Battle of the Atlanta Lawyers’ Bands

ATLANTA, May 18, 2012 – Taylor English Duma LLP proudly announces that the firm is the “Hall of Fame Lead Sponsor” for the Atlanta Bar Foundation’s Third Annual LawJam 2012, Battle of the Atlanta Lawyers’ Bands. LawJam 2012 is returning to the Variety Playhouse on Saturday, June 9, and will raise funds through sponsorships, hosts and ticket sales, together with additional donations at the event to support Atlanta youth programs and free legal services for low income citizens.

This year, LawJam 2012 will feature eight outstanding bands competing for first place and best original song accolades in front of more than 400 audience members. The competing bands are Along for the Ride, Class Action, Marshall Seese and the Abandoned, R & B Inc., Section 8, Signal Flow, Specific Deviations and The Working Class.

“We are so excited to be a part of such a terrific cultural and professional cause,” enthused Marc Taylor, Taylor English founding member and LawJam 2012 committee member. “What better way to support Atlanta youth programs and offer free legal services for low income citizens than through a fun, musical event.”

About LawJam 2012

Each band will play a 20-minute set and compete forbragging rights while giving back to the Atlanta community.  Between sets, celebrated entertainment lawyers Darryl B. Cohen of Cohen Cooper Estep & Whiteman LLP, Lisa F. Moore of The Moore Firm and Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, and radio host Kaedy Kiely from 97.1 FM The River, will serve as judges and offer comments while scoring the acts.  Judges’ scores are just half of each band’s total points, with the remainder coming from audience “Chicago-style” votes at $1 per vote.

HOST:  The Atlanta Bar Foundation.

EVENT: LawJam 2012, Third Annual Battle of the Atlanta Lawyers’ Bands.

WHEN:  Saturday, June 9, 2012, 7 p.m. to midnight.

WHERE:  Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.variety-playhouse.com.

COST: $10 per ticket through May 31, $20 after.  Purchase tickets online at www.variety-playhouse.com.

For event or sponsorship information, please contact Sally Hogsette, Executive Director, Atlanta Bar Foundation at  shogsette@atlantabarfoundation.org or (404) 537-4933.

About Atlanta Bar Foundation

The Atlanta Bar Foundation, a 501(c) (3) organization and charitable arm of the Atlanta Bar Association, provides funding forAtlanta Bar Association projects supporting youth, pro bono legal services, higher education through scholarships and public understanding of the law.  The Foundation also maintains an annual grant program to support pro bono legal service providers serving low income citizens in the Atlanta community.  Since its inception in 1985, the Foundation has given $1.4 million to support law-related charitable projects in the Atlanta community.  Foradditional information, contact Sally Hogsette, Executive Director, at (404) 537-4933 or shogsette@atlantabarfoundation.org

About Atlanta Bar Association

The Atlanta Bar Association is the largest voluntary bar association in the southeast with membership of approximately 6,300 in the 12 counties of metro Atlanta (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale). The mission of the Atlanta Bar Association is to promote professionalism and the fair administration of justice in our community and to provide programs and benefits which serve our diverse membership. For additional information, contact Diane O’Steen, Executive Director, at (404) 832-6206 or dosteen@atlantabar.org

About Taylor English Duma LLP

Taylor English Duma LLP is a full-service law firm built from the ground up to provide highest-quality legal services for optimal value. The firm was founded in 2005 and its attorneys work each day to provide timely, creative and cost-effective counsel to help clients solve problems and achieve goals. Taylor English represents all types of clients—from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups to individuals. More information can be found on the firm’s website at www.taylorenglish.com

Taylor English Duma LLP Named a Winner in 2012 Client Advisor Awards

Taylor English Duma LLP announced that it has been recognized as a winner for the 2012 Client Advisor Awards (Midsize Firm) during a ceremony on January 31, 2012.

The Client Advisor Awards is the country’s only award program honoring the economic impact of Professional Services Firms, advisor professionalism and ‘clients of choice’. Established in 2005, the program sets the standard for best practice behavior and results in the relationships between professional services firms and their clients.

Taylor English was recognized for its recent work with Undoda, the Atlanta-based company that developed an app, compatible on iPads, iPhones and iPods, for helping dyslexics learn to read. Andrew Dietz, principal at Creative Growth Group, founders of the awards program, said, “We were extremely impressed with the sensitivity Taylor English showed to its client who was relatively new to entrepreneurship. As a firm, they really dedicated themselves to a successful outcome.”

“Taylor English is honored to be recognized as a winner in the 2012 Client Advisor Awards (Midsize Firm) for our work with Undoda,” said Marc Taylor. “Our team appreciates the recognition of Jonathan Wilson’s efforts, who worked on a collaborative basis with the team of Undoda, to achieve a positive result. Wilson used a successful, innovative approach to growing the client-advisor relationship which went beyond fees. Wilson’s efforts helped Undoda complete a transaction with the software developers who were engaged by Undoda to develop the app, compensating the software developers with an ownership stake in Undoda itself while also requiring the software developers to hit specific milestones and deadlines in the application development process.” Undoda was also nominated as a Client of Choice Finalist in the Small Organization Category.

Award recipients were announced during the 2012 Client Advisor Awards dinner on January 31, 2012 at the Cherokee Town Club in Atlanta, GA, featuring a keynote presentation on innovation and creativity in professional services by Todd Henry, author of “The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant At A Moment’s Notice.”

ABOUT CLIENT ADVISOR AWARDS and CREATIVE GROWTH GROUP, INC.

Since 2005, Creative Growth Group, Inc. has held the annual Client Advisor Awards(www.clientadvisorawards.com). 2012 sponsors include Bloomberg Businessweek, Deltek and BCHORD. Look for additional press coverage of the Client Advisor Awards in the May 14, 2012 edition of Bloomberg Businessweek “Clients & Advisors” special section focused on the professional services industry. Based in Atlanta, GA, Creative Growth Group, Inc. (www.creativegrowthgroup.com) is a marketing and business development agency which exclusively helps professional services firms to grow client relationships and revenue. For more information, contact Andrew Dietz at 404-664-7484 or andrew@creativegrowthgroup.com.

Taylor English Attorneys Deborah Ausburn & Amanda Hyland Successfully Represent Tea Party Patriots in IP, Trademark Rights Case

Atlanta-November 11, 2011- Attorneys Deborah Ausburn and Amanda Hyland of Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP won a significant jury verdict in Cobb County Superior Court last week. Their client, Tea Party Patriots, Inc., had been forced to go to court against a former member of its Board of Directors who claimed that the name of the organization and related websites belonged to her. The defendant, Amy Kremer, worked with other people to start the organization in the summer of 2009.

After disagreements developed among board members concerning the direction of the organization that culminated in her leaving a few months later and joining another tea party group, she claimed that she owned the group’s identifying marks. Tea Party Patriots, Inc., successfully convinced the jury that it owned the trademark because Ms. Kremer and many others had done their work on behalf of the organization, including many activities far beyond Ms. Kremer’s original online groups.

“We are happy that the Taylor English team was able to help our client retain rights to its identity,” said Ms. Ausburn. “Many people invested time and energy to build the organization in its early days. The jury recognized that when a group of people, including Ms. Kremer, work as part of an organization, it is unfair for one individual to claim rights to everyone’s work.”

Ms. Ausburn and Ms. Hyland are members of the Taylor English Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group. Ms. Hyland is a fifth-year associate with a strong background in trademark and defamation law, and Ms. Ausburn is an experienced litigator who has twice successfully appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Taylor English Welcomes Michele Golivesky As Director of Business Development & Marketing

Atlanta-October 24, 2011- Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Michele Golivesky as its first Director of Business Development and Marketing. For over 20 years, Golivesky has been a leader in business development, marketing, and public relations with top Atlanta companies. She joins Taylor English from the Atlanta law firm Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, where she worked as the firm’s Marketing and Business Development Director.

“At Swift Currie,” says Golivesky, “I had the privilege of participating in reimagining the firm’s corporate identity, managing the launch of its first website, and integrating the firm into social media. I’m looking forward to beginning a new chapter in my career at a firm with a commitment to innovation like Taylor English.”

In her twelve years with Swift Currie, Golivesky was an integral part of the firm’s overall strategy, practice group plans and initiatives. She spearheaded development of an in-house associate training program and directed marketing initiatives, such as seminars, newsletters, sponsorships, articles and presentations, marketing collateral and enhanced website content.

Golivesky has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication from The University of Georgia. She was the 2010 Legal Marketing Association Southeastern Chapter’s Member of the Year in honor of her leadership and active involvement with the LMA.

“This is a perfect fit for Taylor English,” says the firm’s founding partner Marc Taylor, “Michele’s expertise in the industry paired with her creativity and insight will certainly take our firm in exciting new directions. And we enthusiastically welcome her to the Taylor English family.”

Taylor English Tax Attorney, Vivian Hoard, Named One Of Atlanta’s Top Wealth Managers By Five Star Wealth Manager and Atlanta Magazine

Atlanta, October 4, 2011- Attorney Vivian Hoard of Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP has been named to Atlanta Magazine’s list of Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers for 2011. The list is comprised of a highly select group, representing less than 2 percent of licensed wealth managers in the Atlanta area.

Five Star Professional partnered with Atlanta Magazine to determine the top metro area wealth managers who “provide exceptional service and overall satisfaction.” More than 68,500 households and 7,800 registered financial services professionals, including clients, peers, and industry experts were surveyed and asked to rate their experiences working with a wealth manager on criteria such as integrity, value for fee charged, and quality of recommendation.

“The selection is a great honor,” says Hoard, who is a member of Taylor English’s tax controversy practice, “particularly since it comes directly from the endorsement of clients and colleagues.” Hoard has been handling civil and criminal tax controversy litigation for more than 20 years and successfully represents a diverse set of clients including small businesses and their owners, publicly traded companies, professional athletes, and entertainers.

Hoard frequently consults with accounting firms and their clients during complex audits, assisting them on the most effective options and procedures. In these roles, Hoard always focuses on resolving disputes and creating long-term solutions. “The Taylor English model encourages flexibility in the way we collaborate internally and structure compensation with our clients. This value proposition leads to greater communication, a more streamlined effort, and more effective results.”

The 2011 list of Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers is in the October issue of Atlanta Magazine.

Taylor English Attorney’s Coverage of College Football Conference Realignment Goes Viral

Atlanta, September 8, 2011- Attorney Kristi Dosh from Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP has emerged as a leading authority on the economic impact of Texas A&M moving to the SEC with her latest August 19th blog post.

An August 16 report from a Waco economist claims the state of Texas will suffer multi-million dollar losses if Texas A&M University leaves the Big 12 Conference for the Southeastern Conference. Taylor English attorney and Businessofcollegesports.com founder, Kristi Dosh offers a differing opinion, and the sports world has taken notice.

According to the Waco economist the move would result in a reduction of gross product and jobs in the Texas economy. Dosh challenges this position in her post, pointing out that the only anticipated losses would be from Texas A&M fans no longer descending upon Waco to watch their team play Baylor. That game only represents an estimated 0.024% of the taxable activity in Waco for a given year, and only occurs once every two years. “Not exactly hysteria-inducing numbers,” Dosh writes.

Dosh goes on to point out that whatever new travel costs the school incurs will more than likely be covered by the larger conference distributions offered by the SEC and new revenue from out-of-state schools. “When an out-of-state school visits and brings in its team, coaches, band, cheerleaders and fans, new money is being pumped into the state economy,” Dosh says. “If anything, I think you will see an increase in economic impact in College Station as SEC fans, who are known to travel, descend upon the town.“

To date, Dosh has been invited to discuss the Texas A&M story on a number of radio shows, including the nationally syndicated Tim Brando Show, and her work has been mentioned by writers at ESPN and Sports Illustrated. “Kristi is becoming increasingly recognized as a national authority on the business of sports,” says Taylor English managing partner Al B. Hill, “we’re proud of her accomplishments and will continue to support her efforts.”

Dosh is a member of the Taylor English Real Estate, Development & Construction and the Lending, Workout & Foreclosure groups, with a portion of her practice focused on sports law. She is also a regular contributor to SportsMoney on Forbes.com and a variety of other sports websites and a frequent guest lecturer in sports management and sports administration programs.

Taylor English Expands Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice Group With Addition Of Highly Acclaimed Atlanta Attorney/Consultant

Atlanta- September 6, 2011- Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP announces the addition of attorney Don Kohla as its newest member to the firm’s expanding Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group. Joining Mr. Kohla is Jan Marsh, a senior consultant with over 25 years of experience in this area.

Mr. Kohla brings with him over 30 years of experience representing clients with mergers and acquisitions, employee benefit, and executive compensation plans. Don’s expertise on ERISA and ERISA-related matters coupled with his deep experience assisting, designing, and implementing all types of employee benefit plans has earned him some of the industry’s highest honors, including The Best Lawyers in America each year for over 25 years and Super Lawyer every year since its inception in Georgia. “With Don and Jan joining the group, we clearly have the depth and expertise to represent any client (big or small) in this area. We’re thrilled to have them as part of the team”, says Managing Partner Al B. Hill.

The decision to move their practice over to Taylor English was heavily influenced by the firms entrepreneurial business model, personality, and culture. “We were very impressed by the people, top to bottom”, says Kohla. “They’re genuine about being client focused, and their enthusiasm for creating a more collaborative law firm was contagious. Everyone we met walks-the-walk.” Both say they are eager to begin introducing their clients to the benefits of TE’s unique operating model. “We are re-energized by TE’s approach that focuses entirely on the client which means we can also be more flexible and cost efficient in designing engagements that work better for both sides”, says Marsh.

Kohla and Marsh join Taylor English from King & Spalding where they led the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group advising public, private, taxable and tax-exempt clients.

Seven Taylor English Attorneys are selected as The Best Lawyers in America® for 2012

Atlanta- September 7, 2011- Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP is thrilled to announce that attorneys William A. Clineberg, Jr., Chloe Dallaire, Foy R. Devine, Jeffrey R. Kuester, John D. Hopkins, Michael E. Ross and Don S. Kohla have each been selected via an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey process for inclusion in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. For nearly three decades, Best Lawyers has been regarded – by both the profession and the public – as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States. This marks the sixth selection for Mr. Clineberg, the second for Ms. Dallaire, the twentieth for Mr. Devine, the fifth for Mr. Kuester, the fifth for Mr. Hopkins, the fifth for Mr. Ross, and the twenty-fifth for Mr. Kohla.

“These selections are well deserved and well earned. These attorneys represent our industry with the highest levels of expertise, knowledge and a genuine dedication to being client-focused. We applaud them and appreciate what they bring to our clients and our firm,” says Al B. Hill, managing partner at Taylor English.

Mr. Clineberg was selected for his expertise in the area of Employment Law-Management. He is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group and has been involved in high-stakes, complex business litigation on behalf of corporations and individuals for 40 years.

Ms. Dallaire was selected for her expertise in the area of Personal Injury Litigation. She handles all aspects of complex civil litigation with specializations in the areas of transportation, construction, defective products, employment, complex business disputes, premises liability, automotive, catastrophic injury and healthcare matters.

Mr. Devine was selected in the area of Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. He chairs the Taylor English Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group, and since 1969, Mr. Devine has focused his practice in civil trial work, handling litigation of all types including catastrophic personal injury and death cases that arise from product-related injuries.

Mr. Kuester was selected in the area of Patent Law. He is the chair of the firm’s Patent practice and Intellectual Property group and handles all intellectual property issues, including patent preparation and prosecution. Additionally, Mr. Kuester was named as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia for 2011.

Mr. Hopkins was selected in the area of Corporate Law and is a member of the firm’s Business Transactions, Corporate and Taxation practice group. John’s practice has focused on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and insurance regulatory and transaction matters. Mr. Hopkins has more than 30 years of cumulative service on the boards of NYSE and NASDAQ -listed corporations, with service on executive, nominating/governance and compensation committees.

Mr. Ross was selected for his expertise in Employment Law and Labor Law. He is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group. He is a seasoned litigator with more than thirty-five years experience in federal and state trial and appellate courts and arbitration proceedings across the country, including a number of class and collective actions cases.

Mr. Kohla was selected in the area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. He recently joined the firm and brings with him over 30 years of experience representing clients with ERISA and ERISA-related matters. He assists plan sponsors in designing, preparing, implementing and administering all types of employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements. Mr. Kohla is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group.

Taylor English Attorney Elected President of Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta

Atlanta, July 25, 2011– W. Scott Creasman of Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP has been named president of Atlanta’s top social organization for attorneys.

Taylor English’s W. Scott Creasman has been elected president of the Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta, an organization founded in 1922 by a small coalition of lawyers who sought to improve conduct standards in Atlanta’s legal profession. The club strives to continue that mission today while providing an opportunity for Atlanta attorneys to socialize with colleges in a relaxed atmosphere. Creasman began his term as president of the 1700-member Club on July 1.

Since Creasman joined the Club in 1996 he has co-chaired the Membership Committee and, for the past seven years, served on the Executive Committee. Most recently, he oversaw the Club’s four-year transition into a new office space on the 38th floor of the Promenade II building in midtown. “I’m excited to begin my term at such a momentous time for the Club,” Creasman says, “and I look forward to representing the Club and it’s principles in a greater capacity.”

Creasman has been a partner at Taylor English since 2007 where he handles intellectual property and technology litigation, as well as trademark prosecution and branding matters. He is active in numerous legal and community volunteer ventures, including serving as the chair of the Atlanta Bar Association’s CLE Board in 2010–2011. Taylor English managing partner Al B. Hill says of Creasman’s election, “knowing Scott’s reputation in the legal profession, it’s hard to imagine anyone who’s more suitable for the position. And we are grateful to Scott for continuing the tradition of Taylor English attorneys being recognized as leaders in the Atlanta legal community”.

For more information about the Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta please visit www.lawyersclubofatlanta.org.

Child Labor Laws and Vocational Schools: Podcast on Taylor English Litigation Win in Solis v. Laurelbrook

Atlanta, July 19, 2011– Deborah Ausburn of Atlanta’s Taylor English Duma LLP discusses her case Solis v. Laurelbrook Sanitarium and School, Inc. and the primary benefits test in a podcast posted on LexisNexis.com.

In an interview with the labor and employment law community podcast at LexisNexis.com, Taylor English attorney Deborah Ausburn discusses her successful defense of Laurelbrook Sanitarium and School, Inc against the Department of Labor’s attempt to apply federal child labor laws to its vocational curriculum.

The Laurelbrook curriculum operates in compliance with the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which emphasizes both academic and vocational training for students. To determine whether students were trainees and not employees, the district court applied the “primary benefit” test. “We successfully pointed out to the judge,” Ausburn says in the podcast, “that the students are getting the primary benefit from the program.”

Ausburn is a member of Taylor English’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group and has been an advocate of children’s rights for nearly thirty years as a foster parent, social worker, and though her pro bono work.

Listen to the podcast at: http://bit.ly/pxYF0t