Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will be the keynote speaker at the Feb. 23 Georgia Bar Media & Judiciary Conference focused on First Amendment issues and government transparency.
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Bottoms, who participated in the conference as a candidate last year and took office Jan. 2, is expected to address her administration’s perspective on government openness and accessibility to citizens and the media.
The Georgia First Amendment Foundation is a co-sponsor of the conference, scheduled 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23, at the State Bar of Georgia Conference Center, 104 Marietta St. NW in downtown Atlanta. The annual gathering, in its 27th year, draws judges, attorneys, journalists and citizens. On the agenda:
- A discussion of changes ahead for the Georgia Supreme Court and the state’s judicial system. Panelists will include Presiding Justice Harold Melton and retired Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, among others.
- A forum of candidates in the race for the governor’s office.
- A conversation with U.S. Supreme Court experts and advocates on how gerrymandering and other First Amendment issues are likely to fare in the Court this term — and the possible ramifications for Georgia.
- An exploration of cultural challenges to the First Amendment emerging from generational changes, the power of “fake news” and more.
- Scenarios of how sexual harassment claims could play out in companies, courts and the halls of government in Georgia.
In addition, Georgia Public Broadcasting’s “Political Rewind” host Bill Nigut and his team of pundits and prognosticators will talk politics in a session broadcast live from the conference.
Find the complete agenda, a full list of sponsors and registration information at http://www.iclega.org/programs/9778.html. The fee for non-lawyers is $25. Attorneys may register in advance for $155 or at the door for $230; attorneys will receive continuing legal education (CLE) hours for attending. The admission fee includes lunch and parking.
