Verdict - Spring 2018 - 11

> PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Landmark Year Thanks
to Efforts of GTLA Membership
BY MIKE PRIETO

AS I REFLECT ON MY year leading this extraordinary
organization, I am humbled and grateful for the opportunities I have had to serve you and our clients in their
pursuit of justice.

Legislative Session. While they were not all successful,

Despite being an active member of GTLA and even serv-

in the Recreational Properties Act following the Supreme

ing on both the PAC Board and the Executive Committee

Court of Georgia's February decision. I was also able to

for many years, the unique experience of leading such

witness firsthand the effectiveness of our lobbying team

a renowned organization is one that you can never fully

on Day 40, the last day of the Legislative Session, as the

appreciate until you experience it for yourself.

nursing home lobby attempted to add binding arbitration

we did see the passage of legislation sponsored by GTLA
members Rep. Meagan Hanson in the House and Sen.
Blake Tillery in the Senate to codify immunity provisions

I spent my year traveling the state as part of the second

language to a healthcare conference committee report.

round of the GTLA Justice Tour, giving members in every

At 10:37 p.m. on Day 40 (the Legislative Session ended

corner of Georgia the chance to personally speak with our

at midnight), word spread to our team that this language

staff, leadership, and their local elected officials. Providing

had been included. By 11:15 p.m., the legislation was

our membership with legislative updates and introduc-

essentially defeated and would not even be called for a

tions to the decision-makers in their region assists them in

vote that evening. As a plaintiff's attorney who specializes

establishing meaningful relationships with their legislators,

in nursing home abuse, I was thankful for preservation of

which, in turn, helps further the GTLA legislative agenda.

my clients' rights; but, as a GTLA member, I was amazed

This year was also an extremely successful year for

at the quick mobilization and effective work of our team

our legislative efforts, both in Georgia and nation-wide.

and our membership to quash such a harmful proposal

You may recall from my Fall President's Message that

so promptly.

our Executive Committee traveled to Washington D.C. in

It has been a landmark year for our organization, and I

September for our annual Lobby Day with the American

cannot stress enough how proud I am to have served with

Association for Justice. This year, we were tasked with

such an esteemed group of individuals. As I transition into

lobbying Congress to reinstate the Ahlborn decision, pre-

my role as Immediate Past President and pass the gavel

venting Medicaid from taking personal injury settlements

to my friend, Laurie Speed, I know that she will lead GTLA

as compensation. Congress later voted to reinstate the

down a path of continued growth and success. GTLA has

decision, proving a significant victory for our friends at

an exceptional future ahead with upcoming leadership

AAJ who had worked so diligently, as well as our clients

in Laurie, Dan Snipes, Lyle Warshauer, Jon Pope, Adam

and the clients of our colleagues across the nation.

Malone and Madeleine Simmons, and I look forward to

At the state level, GTLA seized the rare opportunity
to push multiple proactive measures during the 2018

continued work with them and each of you as we persist
in our preservation of justice. ●

Providing our membership with legislative updates and
introductions to the decision-makers in their region assists them in
establishing meaningful relationships with their legislators, which,
in turn, helps further the GTLA legislative agenda.

Spring 2018 11

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Verdict - Spring 2018