Attorney Scott Smith is seen being introduced by David Prusakowksi at this morning’s Downtown Coffee Break sponsored by the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce. MSP hosted the event with around 40 in attendance. Several additional speakers discussed various upcoming community activities and events. Thanks to all who came!
We had a great time running in the Berry Half Marathon, 10k and 5k race last weekend, with 32 MSP Family and Friends participating. We would like to thank all the supporters and volunteers who helped make it such an incredibly fun and successful event!
“Conservation is a passion of mine. It’s the reason I’ve been in Washington this week to promote conservation easements as a tool to bring public policy and private dollars together to preserve and protect important properties from development.”
The Partnership for Conservation is a coalition that advocates for the interests and rights of land conservation donors and land trusts, as well as provides education and resources to ensure all of those involved in the private conservation of land and natural resources are adhering to a set of best practices and high-quality standards.
Congrats to Amy and Todd Lander for completing the Disney half marathon in January!
MSP Associate Ben Stell was recently sworn in to practice law in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. This authorizes Ben to practice in any of the four divisions comprising the Northern District of Georgia, which are the Atlanta, Gainesville, Newnan and Rome divisions. Ben had the distinct honor of being sworn in by Senior Judge Harold Lloyd Murphy (pictured).
Judge Murphy was nominated for his position by President Jimmy Carter, and received his commission on July 29, 1977. Judge Murphy has a long career of public service. Some of Judge Murphy’s many accolades include serving in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946, as a Georgia state representative from 1951 to 1961, as a Superior Court judge for the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit from 1971 to 1977, and in his current role as a federal judge from 1977 through the present.
Congratulations to MSP Partner Scott Smith. As previously posted, Scott has been named by the Heart of the Community Foundation as a 2018 recipient of the Heart of the Community Award. The black tie affair was held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Forum in downtown Rome. Congratulations again, Scott!
Pictured left to right are Chris Jackson, Lee Niedrach, Scott Smith, Jule Peek, Jordan Knight, and Brian Bojo.
Several MSP attorneys were honored today to attend the local reception of Michael P. Boggs, Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Justice Boggs has an impressive resumé, having previously served as a Georgia House Representative, Superior Court Judge of the Waycross Judicial Circuit, and judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals, before being appointed in 2016 to the Georgia Supreme Court by Governor Nathan Deal. MSP thanks local firm Brinson Askew Berry for hosting the reception. Pictured left to right are Chris Jackson, Lee Niedrach, Justice Michael P. Boggs, Brian Bojo, and Ben Stell.
MSP extends its congratulations to partner Scott Smith who has been named a 2018 recipient of the Heart of the Community Award. Since 1987, the Heart of the Community Foundation has honored and celebrated our local “unsung heroes” who have made valuable contributions to the Rome community. Scott has a long history of service to Rome. He has volunteered with, or served on the board of, many local organizations, including: the Boys and Girls Club, Mercy Senior Care, Tri for Kids Fundraiser, First Baptist church, the Development Authority, the Rome Chamber of Commerce, Floyd Healthcare Foundation, United Way of Rome, Coosa Country Club, Seven Hills Rotary Club (Charter Member), and the Community Foundation. You can read more about Scott and the other 2018 recipients here.
MSP partner Andy Garner has been elected vice-chair for industry services and public policy for the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce. Andy is finishing up his second year of a three year term on the Chamber board of directors, having served as vice-chair for community development in 2017. His practice includes business and commercial law, which makes him well qualified to serve the chamber and Rome community is this capacity. Andy also practices in the areas of estate planning and administration and local government law. He has been with the firm for 16 years.
McRae, Smith, Peek is pleased to announce the addition of Benjamin P. Stell as a new associate to the firm. Ben has already clerked for the firm for two summers during law school before starting full time in 2017. Ben received his Juris Doctorate from The University of Georgia School of Law, graduating cum laude, and very recently passed the Georgia Bar Exam.
Ben excelled as a law school student, competing on both the Moot Court and Mock Trial teams. Ben’s team won the 2016 Intrastate Moot Court Competition and took home the award for “Best Brief”. In his third year of law school, Ben’s advocacy experience earned him a selection into the Joseph Henry Lumpkin American Inn of Court. Ben was also sworn in under the Third Year Practice Act during his final year of law school, allowing him to work in the Newton County District Attorney’s Office where he helped prosecute both misdemeanors and felonies. Ben was presented with the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association Willis J. “Dick” Richardson, Jr. Student Award for Outstanding Trial Advocacy.
Ben is married to Abby Stell, a fourth grade teacher and Rome native.
