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UPCOMING EVENTS

    • Friday, April 18, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 1818 Club: 6500 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097
    • 14
    Register

    Please join us for GCBA's next luncheon on:

    April 18, 2025 on 12:00 PM at the 1818 Club.

    The April Luncheon will honor Retiring Judge Robert Waller: 



    SPOTLIGHT! Presiding Judge Robert Waller, Gwinnett County Juvenile Court

    By:  Margaret Gettle Washburn, Past President, GCBA

    Gwinnett County Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Robert Waller is retiring from the Juvenile Court as of June 30, 2025 and the Gwinnett County Bar Association will celebrate with him, his staff and his family at the GCBA luncheon on April 18, 2025, at the 1818. 


    Judge Waller was born in Albany, Georgia, and graduated from Albany High School.  “Rob,” is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Atlanta Law School.  Rob’s career has always been involved with children and families. He was a history teacher at Morrow High School in Clayton County for 4 years and then worked for the Ga. Dept. of Human Resources in Youth Services and in Mental Health/Mental Retardation Substance Abuse for 6 years. 


    Judge Waller served as the Solicitor for the Juvenile Court of Gwinnett County from 1986 to 1988, and the Associate Judge of that Juvenile Court from 1988 to 1991.  He was a practicing attorney and part-time Magistrate from 1991 until 2009 when he was sworn in as one of three Juvenile Court Judges.   Judge Waller was appointed as the Presiding Judge of the Gwinnett Juvenile Court in 2020, when Judge Rob Rodatus retired.  


    Rob is a Graduate of Leadership Gwinnett and has taught numerous classes for ICLE and ICJE.  He is a past president and founding board member of the Gwinnett Children Shelter, a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett, a former member of the board at the Tull YMCA, among other civic organizations and duties, including the South Gwinnett Rotary Club.  Judge Waller has spoken at several ICLE and ICJE seminars.


    Rob is also an ACTOR, as is former Gwinnett County Juvenile Court Judge Steve Franzen’.  In fact, Judge Franzen’ invited Judge Waller to get involved with a theatrical group at his church, the Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross, in 2012. 

      

    Rob played the part of a bartender named “Bugsy,” who ran a Speakeasy in the play “Summertime, ” at the Christ Church.   Steve played the part of the cowboy philosopher and humorist Will Rogers, one of the most beloved entertainers of the early 20th century.  Rob enjoyed his time in theatrical work and found it to be great fun and educational.

    While in private practice, Judge Waller took the practice of law and the representation of his clients very seriously, just as he has taken the protection of children seriously in his courtroom. In addition to serving in the Gwinnett Juvenile Court, Rob has worked with the children in Gwinnett County as a former youth basketball coach and competitively coached the Mock Trial teams at the Wesleyan school since 2003. 


    A person in a wig and robe sitting at a desk Description automatically generatedJudge Waller graciously accepted my request that he attend the February meeting of the Marion T. Pope Inn of Court and be part of a Judges Panel on February 13, 2025.  The program: “The History of the Inns of Court, Advocacy and Professionalism,” was presented by Pupillage Team 3, including, among others,

    Superior Court of Forsyth County Judge Philip C. Smith, Margaret Gettle Washburn, Bob Tharp, Doug Hassinger, and District Attorney Penny A. Penn. The Inns of Court began in 4 different Inns in London in the 1600’s - where lawyers would go to a local pub after court, quaff an ale and talk about their cases; the young lawyers would pose queries to the older barristers… Lawyers still do that…

    A group of people in a courtroom Description automatically generated“MiLord Sir Robert Waller” served on a Judges Panel with Hon. Philip Smith, Superior Court of Forsyth County, Hon. Jeffrey Bagley, Chief Judge, Superior Court of Forsyth County, Hon. David Cannon, Chief Judge, Superior Court of Cherokee County, Hon. Russell McClelland, Chief Judge, State Court of Forsyth County, Hon. Christopher Willis, Presiding Judge, Forsyth County Juvenile Court.  

    The berobed and bewigged panelists answered numerous questions about courtroom decorum, professionalism, and advocacy.  

    Judge Waller also provided his Trial Tips.

    TRIAL TIPS by: PRESIDING JUDGE ROBERT WALLER

    1. Work Fast Be Nice Tell Stories (Unless it's a nasty case that you can't win and you are trying to build a record for an appeal, then work fast, be professional, keep your mouth shut.) ((Except to object)).

    2. Don't keep hammering a witness in what is (usually) an unsuccessful attempt to make theagree with you. (They are likely to kill you by repeating their testimony until the jury believes it and it is irksome to the Court.)

    3.  Don't try to control a witness, just make them look as bad as you can and sit down(If you can't make them look bad, ask a question that advances your case and sit downIf it is a Bench Trial, sit down quickly!)

    4.Remember that you're being watched from the moment that you walk into the courtroomEveryone in the room has an opinion of you by the time you sit down. (It's hard to improve that bad opinion.) ((It's easy to make it worse.))

    5. Smile; Make eye contact; Have relaxed, open body language.   If you can't be relaxed, then have your client look relaxed and pleasant. (Somebody has to be likeable.)

      Judge Waller is married to Cindy Wright and has two very successful children, Keegan, and McKenzie.  He attends Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross.

        

      We all appreciate Judge Waller’s 40 years of service to the families and children of Gwinnett County! 


      Margaret G. Washburn, Chief Judge, City of Sugar Hill

      Margaret G. Washburn, P.C.; margaret@washburnlawoffices.com



      • Wednesday, April 23, 2025
      • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
      • GJAC Breezeway
      Register

      To honor and thank Gwinnett County judges for their dedicated service, the Gwinnett County Bar Association is hosting its:

       Annual Judges' Luncheon

       Wednesday, April 23rd

       12:00 PM to 2:00 PM 

      GJAC Auditorium Breezeway 

      Please see below for additional details. We look forward to seeing you there!


       A special thank you to our sponsors: 




       

      • Friday, May 02, 2025
      • 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
      • Virtue Village at Peachtree Corners
      • 92
      Register

      Please join the Gwinnett County Bar Association for our annual Law Day Banquet, on May 2, 2025

      The banquet will be held at Virtue Village, Peachtree Corners.

      We will have a cocktail hour to begin at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m.

      Tickets are $60 for members and $75 for non-members.

      Law Day 2025: A Call to Legal Professionals

      “We the People, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union…”—these words laid the foundation for our democracy, but it’s we, the legal community, who help uphold it every day.

      On Law Day 2025, we celebrate The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One and the role we play in ensuring justice, democracy, and civic engagement thrive. This is an opportunity to showcase your commitment to the rule of law and be recognized as a leader in our profession.

      Get involved.
      Engage with your peers.
      Promote your firm’s dedication to justice.

      Join the conversation and be part of the movement that keeps our constitutional values alive!

    Past events

    Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Estate and Probate Section - March 2025 Meeting
    Friday, March 21, 2025 March 2025 Luncheon - Personal Injury Attorney and Section Chair John Mays
    Wednesday, March 12, 2025 March 2025 Family Law Section Meeting
    Thursday, March 06, 2025 March 2025 Personal Injury Section Meeting
    Friday, February 21, 2025 Family Law Section - CLE: Social Media Evidence in Family Law Cases
    Friday, February 21, 2025 February 2025 Luncheon - Gwinnett Co. Clerk of Courts Tiana Garner & Probate Court Judge Ballar
    Thursday, February 20, 2025 February 2025 Solo Practitioner Small Firm Section Meeting
    Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Estate and Probate Section - January 2025 Meeting
    Friday, January 17, 2025 January 2025 Luncheon- State Bar President Ivy N. Cadle
    Thursday, January 16, 2025 January 2025 Solo Practitioner Small Firm Section Meeting
    Wednesday, January 08, 2025 January 2025 Family Law Section Meeting
    Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Superior Court Judge Gallant Swearing-In Ceremony
    Friday, December 13, 2024 GCBA Holiday Party 2024
    Thursday, December 05, 2024 2024 Holiday Toy Raiser & Party
    Tuesday, December 03, 2024 Estate and Probate Section - December 2024 Meeting
    Wednesday, November 13, 2024 November 2024 Family Law Section Meeting
    Wednesday, November 13, 2024 Personal Injury Section: November 13 Lunch & Learn on Life Care Plans
    Wednesday, October 30, 2024 Swearing In Ceremony - Newly Admitted Attorneys
    Tuesday, October 29, 2024 Estate and Probate Section - October 2024 Meeting
    Thursday, October 24, 2024 GCBA ADR Section is hosting a 3-Hour CLE: Advancing Skills in ADR
    Saturday, October 19, 2024 2024 LEAD Picnic
    Friday, October 18, 2024 October 2024 Luncheon
    Wednesday, October 09, 2024 October 2024 Family Law Section Meeting
    Tuesday, September 24, 2024 Estate and Probate Section - Weinberg Elder Law
    Friday, September 20, 2024 September 2024 Luncheon
    Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Personal Injury Section Meeting
    Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Mock Interviews at South Gwinnett High School
    Wednesday, September 11, 2024 Family Section Meeting
    Friday, August 16, 2024 August Luncheon
    Monday, June 17, 2024 GCBA 2023-2024 Officers Ballot
    Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Estate and Probate Section Happy Hour and Social
    Friday, April 26, 2024 Law Day Banquet 2024
    Tuesday, April 23, 2024 Estate and Probate Section - Judge Ballar Speaking
    Friday, April 19, 2024 April Luncheon- Attorney Cindy Wang
    Friday, April 12, 2024 GCBA Law Day Axe Throwing Competition Fundraiser
    Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Estate and Probate Section Lunch Meeting
    Tuesday, March 05, 2024 Solo and Small Firm Section March Luncheon
    Saturday, March 02, 2024 Law Day Community Service Event- Annual Sip & Swine
    Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Estate and Probate Section Lunch Meeting
    Thursday, February 22, 2024 Personal Injury Section Meeting
    Friday, February 16, 2024 February Luncheon- Justice Benham
    Tuesday, February 06, 2024 Solo and Small Firm Section February Luncheon
    Thursday, February 01, 2024 Lunch & Learn Professionalism CLE
    Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Estate and Probate Section Lunch Meeting
    Friday, January 19, 2024 January Luncheon- Candidate Forum
    Friday, December 15, 2023 GCBA Holiday Party 2023
    Wednesday, December 13, 2023 Annual Toy Raiser
    Tuesday, December 05, 2023 Solo and Small Firm December Luncheon
    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 Estate and Probate Section Lunch Meeting
    Friday, November 17, 2023 November Luncheon- Legislative Update
    Thursday, November 16, 2023 Personal Injury Section Meeting
    Tuesday, November 07, 2023 Solo and Small Firm November Luncheon
    Tuesday, October 31, 2023 Estate and Probate Section Meeting - "Wills Gone Wild"
    Saturday, October 21, 2023 2023 LEAD Picnic
    Friday, October 20, 2023 Swearing In Ceremony- Newly Admitted Attorneys
    Friday, October 20, 2023 October Luncheon
    Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Juvenile Law Section Lunch and Learn
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 Personal Injury Section Meeting
    Friday, September 15, 2023 September Luncheon
    Friday, August 18, 2023 August Luncheon- State Bar Updates
    Wednesday, June 21, 2023 GCBA 2023-2024 Officers Ballot
    Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Estate and Probate Section Happy Hour and Social
    Friday, May 19, 2023 May 2023 Luncheon - Gwinnett Transit Updates
    Friday, April 28, 2023 Law Day Banquet 2023
    Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Judge Ballar Speaking - Estate and Probate Section Meeting
    Saturday, April 22, 2023 GCBA Law Day Axe Throwing Competition Fundraiser
    Friday, April 21, 2023 April 2023 Luncheon
    Tuesday, March 21, 2023 Estate and Probate Section Meeting - Estate Values
    Friday, March 17, 2023 CLE - Technology and the Law
    Friday, February 17, 2023 February 2023 Luncheon
    Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Estate and Probate Section Meeting - Probate 101
    Friday, January 20, 2023 January Luncheon
    Tuesday, December 06, 2022 Estate and Probate Section Meeting - Estate Planning 101
    Friday, December 02, 2022 GCBA Holiday Party 2022
    Friday, November 18, 2022 November Luncheon
    Wednesday, November 16, 2022 Juvenile Law Section Lunch & Learn CLE
    Saturday, October 29, 2022 2022 LEAD Picnic
    Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Estate and Probate Section Meeting - Estate Taxes
    Friday, October 21, 2022 October Luncheon
    Thursday, October 20, 2022 2022 Top Golf Mall of Georgia
    Friday, October 14, 2022 Technology 101
    Thursday, September 29, 2022 Family Law Section Kickoff Event
    Friday, September 16, 2022 September Luncheon
    Friday, August 19, 2022 August Luncheon
    Wednesday, June 01, 2022 GCBA 2022-2023 Officers Ballot
    Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Judge Ballar Speaking - Estate and Probate Section Meeting
    Friday, May 06, 2022 Law Day 2022
    Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Law Day 2022: Courthouse Tour
    Friday, April 22, 2022 Solo and Small Firm April Meeting
    Tuesday, April 19, 2022 Estate and Probate Section: April Meeting
    Friday, April 15, 2022 April Luncheon
    Friday, March 25, 2022 GCBA CLE: Mental Health & the Law
    Tuesday, March 22, 2022 Estate Planning and Probate: March Section Meeting
    Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Family Law Section: Advanced Child Support Worksheet Seminar
    Friday, February 18, 2022 February Luncheon
    Saturday, February 05, 2022 GCBA Civil Rights Tour
    Friday, January 21, 2022 January Luncheon
    Friday, January 07, 2022 Family Law Section Breakfast
    Monday, December 13, 2021 Solo/Small Firm Section Meet and Greet
    Friday, December 03, 2021 GCBA Holiday Party
    Friday, December 03, 2021 Toy Raiser: 2021
    Tuesday, November 30, 2021 Family Law Section Hosting Judges' Panel
    Friday, November 19, 2021 November Luncheon
    Saturday, October 23, 2021 LEAD Picnic
    Thursday, October 21, 2021 Top Golf Mall of Georgia
    Friday, October 15, 2021 October Luncheon
    Friday, September 17, 2021 September GCBA Monthly Luncheon
    Friday, August 20, 2021 GCBA Monthly Luncheon
    Thursday, April 01, 2021 Spring Gala
    Friday, October 16, 2020 Gwinnett Bar Luncheon

    UPCOMING EVENTS

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    ABOUT GCBA

    The Gwinnett County Bar Association is a nonprofit organization consisting of hundreds of attorneys who practice and live in the Gwinnett County area.

    CONTACT US

    gwinnettcba@gmail.com
    PO Box  576
    Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046

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