Recent News

The Southern Judicial Circuit held its first meeting with the local Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (TLA) on May 15, 2014 at Friends Restaurant.   The Valdosta TLA focuses on creating opportunity for political interaction among attorneys and local legislators to discuss important legal issues.   The local TLA looks forward to regular meetings with its members to continue to benefit from a local forum and consider paramount issues within the community.  There were 7 elected members of the state house (Micah Gravley, Amy Carter, Ellis Black, Jason Shaw, Dexter Shaper, Jay Powell, Darlene Taylor), 2 additional candidates for the senate seat vacated by Tim Golden (John Page, Bikram Mohanty), 1 candidate for the seat vacated by Ellis Black (John Corbett), and all 3 candidates for Southern Judicial Circuit Judgeship race (Brian McDaniel, Vernita Bender, Jason Cain).  We would like to give a special thanks to Jed Douglas, with The Helms Law Firm, and Tina Folsom and Pope Langdale, with Langdale Vallotton, LLP for spearheading this effort.

Criminal defense attorney Katie Gonos attended a seminar on DUI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing using the current National Highway Traffic Safety Administration manual, which is currently used by law enforcement.  The seminar focused on the three field sobriety tests used by law enforcement including the HGN test, the One Leg Stand, and the Walk and Turn test.  The participants studied the proper procedures in conducting the tests and the mistakes that are often made by law enforcement.  They were then asked to perform the field sobriety tests on test subjects. Part of the training involved a full day course on the Intoxilyzer 9000.  Georgia currently uses the Intoxilyzer 5000, but all municipalities and counties will have the Intoxilyzer 9000 by 2015.  The participants studied the differences between the two instruments and learned how to interpret test results.

At its Annual Gala in Atlanta, Georgia, Pope Langdale was installed as the Executive Vice President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.  Pope will also serve as the Legislative Chair, along with Darren Penn, for the upcoming year.  Linley Jones was installed as President and Darren Penn as President-elect.  Pope also serves on the membership committee of the GTLA.

Since, 1956, GTLA has worked tirelessly to ensure that everyday citizens, Georgia families and small businesses are never deprived of their constitutional guarantee of access to true justice.  The Mission of GTLA is simple:  We are dedicated to protecting the Constitutional promise of justice for all by guaranteeing the right to trial by jury, preserving an independent judiciary, and providing access to the courts for all Georgians.

Continuing the campaign to end distracted driving, Pope Langdale spoke to Lowndes High School junior and senior classes today about the importance of good decision-making behind the wheel of a car.  He stressed that this is not just a teenage issue; adults need to make smart decisions while driving too.
Steps that can be taken for safer driving can be found here in the Family Safe Driving Agreement.

Recently, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association announced a year-round partnership with EndDD.org to kick off National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

In a joint effort with the Valdosta High School chapter of SADD, VHS junior and senior classes gathered to view a mock-accident where their peers were injured and killed, followed by a presentation by Langdale Vallotton, LLP attorney Pope Langdale.  The presentation outlined the examples of distractions, risks associated with distracted driving, and suggestions for eliminating those risks.

Attorney Tina Folsom delivered a Code of Ethics presentation to Albany State University education students and faculty on behalf of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.