Augusta Bar Association CLE

Hon. Sheryl B. Jolly Related Seminars and Products

Columbia County Justice Center

Judge Sheryl B. Jolly  serves as the Presiding Judge of Superior Court, Columbia Judicial Circuit. Judge Jolly was elected Superior Court Judge for the Augusta Judicial Circuit in 2004 and served in that capacity until the Columbia Judicial Circuit was created in 2021. 

Other current appointments include:  Administrative Judge for 10th Judicial District, Executive Committee of Council of Superior Court Judges, and a member of the Judicial Council of Georgia.

Judge Jolly's public service began in 1986 in the Office of the District Attorney, Augusta Judicial Circuit where she served as  Assistant District Attorney until 1989. She continued her public service as a prosecutor in the State Court of Richmond County, Georgia as Assistant Solicitor General (1989-1993) and subsequently as Chief Assistant Solicitor General (1993-1994). In 1996, Judge Jolly was elected to the Office of Solicitor General of the State Court of Richmond County, Georgia. She served two terms as Solicitor General before seeking election as Superior Court Judge.  In addition to her public service as a prosecutor, she served as an Adjunct Faculty Member for Brenau Professional College for over 20 years and taught courses in Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, and Public Administration for both undergraduate and graduate level courses.  She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Augusta Bar Association.  Judge Jolly has been actively involved in community activities and service boards, including leadership positions in Leadership Augusta, the Greater Augusta Arts Council, Augusta Junior Woman's Club, Columbia Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Task Force,  Augusta Child Advocacy Center, Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Services, The Augusta Partnership for Children and many other local boards.  

Judge Jolly has been a frequent lecturer at judicial conferences for Pre-Trial Issues in Death Penalty cases and presentations in the area of family law.

Hon. Edward John Flythe Related Seminars and Products

BA, University of Georgia

JD, University of Georgia

Assistant District Attorney – 1999-2001

Private practice 2002-2010

Judge, State Court of Richmond County 2010-2016

Judge, Superior Court, Augusta Judicial Circuit 2016-present

Ms. Hannah Mary Palmquist Related Seminars and Products

Georgia Office of the Attorney General

Hannah Palmquist leads the Office of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

Hannah earned her law degree from Emory School of Law in 2012. After Law School, Hannah served as an Assistant District Attorney for DeKalb County. She then served as an Assistant District Attorney for Cobb County in the Trial Division before moving to the Special Victims Unit where she prosecuted sexual offenses and crimes against children. She obtained convictions on cases including child molestation, rape, child pornography, domestic violence and human trafficking. During that time, Hannah was named to the Daily Report’s 2016 “On the Rise,” edition, a publication of 40 attorneys under the age of 40 state-wide who are determined to be “Rising Stars.” In 2017, she successfully argued the constitutionality of the Georgia statute which criminalizes child pornography to the Georgia Supreme Court. In September of 2018, she became the supervisor of the Cobb County Juvenile Unit where she worked with juvenile runaways and victims of human trafficking.

On July 1, 2019, Hannah was named the Unit Chief over the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Unit where she oversees a team dedicated to the prosecution of domestic minor sex trafficking. She was named to James Magazine’s list of Georgia’s Most Influential Attorneys in 2020 and again in 2021. In her current role, she leads the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases across the state of Georgia.

Mrs. Megan Elizabeth Adams Related Seminars and Products

Office of the Attorney General

Megan Adams serves as a prosecutor with the Office of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit. Megan leads prosecutions for the unit's new Augusta office.

Megan earned her law degree from Mercer School of Law in 2015. After law school, Megan served as a staff attorney to the Honorable Roger Dunaway and Harold Hinesley in the Toombs Judicial circuit. She then served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit until 2021, when she became a prosecutor for the Toombs Judicial Circuit. During her time with the Toombs Circuit, she worked in Superior Court as well as juvenile court where she worked with runaways and victims of human trafficking. Megan is an experienced trial attorney—obtaining convictions on numerous serious felonies, including aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, and child molestation

In April of 2025, Megan was selected to launch the Unit's Augusta office. She works alongside investigators to recover missing children and investigate and prosecute those who exploit them.

Mr. Steven Lee Sanders Related Seminars and Products

Fulcher Hagler LLP

Hon. Joseph Wade Padgett Related Seminars and Products

Georgia Court of Appeals

Judge J. Wade Padgett is a dedicated public servant, educator, and longtime member of the judiciary.  He was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp as the 96^th judge of the Court of Appeals. He was sworn in to that position on April 3, 2024.

Judge Padgett was born in Atlanta but has spent the majority of his professional career in the Augusta area.  He obtained a BA in history from the University of Georgia in 1987.  He earned his law degree from Georgia State University in 1990.  While in law school, he received several awards and was extremely involved with the Student Trial Advocacy program led by Attorney Tom Jones.  Judge Padgett became a member of the Georgia Bar in 1990.

Following law school, Judge Padgett served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit where he served as a violent crimes prosecutor and led the office’s team dealing with crimes against children.  He began his private practice of law as an associate with O. Franklin Askin, Jr. P.C. and eventually formed his own law firm.  While in private practice, Judge Padgett represented individual and corporate clients in a variety of areas including corporate operations, personal injury, criminal defense, domestic relations, probate and other areas of the law.  Judge Padgett represented clients in both Georgia state and federal courts.

In 1995, Judge Padgett was appointed as an Associate Magistrate Judge for Columbia County.  He was elected Chief Magistrate of Columbia County in 2005.  Because his duties as a Magistrate Judge were part-time, he also practiced law while serving in Magistrate Court.  During his time as a member of the Council of Magistrate Judges, he chaired the Uniform Rules Committee.  Judge Padgett served as Chief Magistrate of Columbia County until he was appointed to the Superior Court bench.

On February 3, 2009, Judge Padgett was appointed to the Superior Court bench by Governor Sonny Perdue.  He served as a Superior Court judge for the Augusta Judicial Circuit and was one of three judges appointed to the Columbia Judicial Circuit when that circuit was formed in 2021.  While on the Superior Court bench, Judge Padgett reformed and led the New Judge Orientation program for all new Superior Court judges in Georgia, beginning in 2014.  He was elected to serve as an officer of the Council of Superior Court Judges, ultimately serving as President of the Council in 2021-2022.  In 2024, Judge Padgett was the recipient of the Emory Findley award, an award honoring service to the Council of Superior Court judges.

Judge Padgett has a passion for teaching.  He has served as a presenter in educational classes for law students, lawyers, judges, and others.  He created a program known as Teenage Years 101 that was designed to provide realistic, actionable information to teens and their families on topics relating to teen decision-making and the impact of those decisions.  He has served as an advisor and presenter to the Council of Probate Judges.  He has led countless educational sessions for the Council of Superior Court judges.  He has spoken at programs presented by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Georgia, the Institute for Continuing Judicial Education, and several local bar associations.  The Georgia Bar Association awarded Judge Padgett the Spirit of Justice Award in 2023 which honors individuals dedicated to the “unwavering commitment to and creating a legacy of excellence in the judiciary.”

The best evidence of his passion for teaching, however, may be found in the podcast series that he created and continues to co-host.  Judge Padgett and Judge Tain Kell (ret.) co-host a podcast known as The Good Judge-Ment Podcast where they discuss topics on Georgia law.  They began the podcast in 2018 and it is popular with both lawyers and judges as a unique medium for legal education.

Judge Padgett is also a published author.  His book, From Court in the Woods to Court in the Metropolis, A History of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, was published in 2017.  His work as an author earned accolades.  He was nominated as Georgia Author of the Year (History category) by the Georgia Writer’s Association and the Historical Records Advisory Council presented him the 2017 Award for Excellence for Local History. Judge Padgett’s wife, Alice W. Padgett, serves as Probate Judge for Columbia County.  They have two children, Matthew and Jordan.  They also have grandchildren whom they adore.  Judge Padgett resides in Evans, Georgia.

Mr. Leland M. Malchow Related Seminars and Products

Malchow Johnson Injury Lawyers

Leland has collected settlements and verdicts against insurance companies for his catastrophically injured clients in cases involving plant explosions, train derailments, medical malpractice, road construction negligence, product liability, trucking accidents, automobile collisions, workers’ compensation and personal injury complex cases, and premise liability injuries. He and his law firm were recently recognized by America’s High Stakes Litigators for achieving one of the top 100 settlements in the United States stemming from a plant explosion and workers’ compensation claim.

Leland and the firm have the mindset and focus on helping people across Georgia and South Carolina who have suffered personal injuries, catastrophic injuries, or death.

Prior to founding Malchow Johnson Injury Lawyers, Leland spent close to a decade as a defense trial lawyer for various insurance companies. His experience of defending medical malpractice claims, automobile and personal injury claims, workers’ compensation, and negligence claims in state and federal courts has and continues to arm him with perspective from strategy, negotiations, and all the way to trial.

Leland has received some of the highest awards and ratings and been nominated by other attorneys and people in the community. His recognition includes being selected for Best Lawyers in America, Georgia Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite, Super Lawyers, Top Attorneys in Georgia, Best Attorneys in Georgia, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell’s Highest Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards. In addition, Leland was nominated and chosen to serve as president of the Augusta Bar and president of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Section.

Leland is a member of the Georgia and South Carolina Bar. Leland firmly believes that his highest priority is giving back to the local community through his service with the Augusta Rotary Club, his membership at St. Mary’s on the Hill Church, and the firm’s financial and service contributions for local charities. He and his wife Janna are the proud parents of three children and seven grandchildren.

Mr. Neil Staten Bitting Jr. Related Seminars and Products

Levy Sibley Foreman & Speir LLC

Staten Bitting was admitted to the Bar in 1978. His practice areas are primarily civil trials, workers’ compensation defense and mediation. He has tried cases to verdict in six different decades. He has served as a mediator for over 20 years. Staten just concluded a term as a member of the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution.

Ms. Helen Waifong Yu Related Seminars and Products

Flanagan Law and Mediation LLC

Helen Yu Flanagan has been practicing law in Augusta, Georgia for over thirty years. She began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for Augusta Judicial Circuit in 1990. For the past thirty years, Helen has engaged in private practice with primary focus on Family Law issues.

In 2018, the firm begin to offer Mediation services to clients and local attorneys. Currently Helen is a full time mediator, having mediated over 400 cases, both in domestic and civil matters.

Born in Hong Kong, Helen immigrated to New York City in 1978. In 1987, Helen obtained her B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University School of Engineering in New York City. She obtained her law degree in 1990 from Georgia State University, School of Law. Helen is admitted to practice law in the State and Superior Court of Georgia, Court of Appeals of Georgia, Supreme Court of Georgia, District Court of the Southern District of Georgia, and to the Court of Military Appeal. Helen has served and continued to serve on the Executive Board of the Augusta Family Law Bar since 2009. Helen was the Chair of the Augusta Family Bar Association 2017- 2018 and was a past President of the Augusta Federal Bar Association.

Mr. Troy Allen Lanier Related Seminars and Products

Troy A. Lanier PC

About Troy A. Lanier, P.C.

I represent personal injury victims, family members mourning a loved one’s wrongful death, and parties to estate disputes.

Professional Accolades:

• Highest and best possible ranking given for both legal ability and ethical standards by the Martindale-Hubbell rating service

• Multiyear selection to the “Super Lawyers” list of Georgia’s personal injury attorneys practice

• Selection as one of Georgia’s Rising Stars by Law & Politics, a distinction that only 2.5% of the state’s attorneys receive

• Former Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

• Past President, Augusta Bar Association

• Past President, Young Lawyer’s Club of Augusta

• Former service as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Legal Services Program for the State of Georgia

• Consistent inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Georgia Trend and Legal Elite publications

• Founding Fellow and Sustaining Fellow of the Augusta Bar Foundation

Biography

For over thirty years, Troy A. Lanier has maintained an active civil litigation and trial practice in the state and federal courts of Georgia.

Troy Lanier maintains an AV® peer review rating in Martindale Hubbell, the highest and best possible ranking given for both legal ability and ethical standards. In 2006, he was named as one of Georgia’s Rising Stars® by Law & Politics, joining a select group, as only 2.5 percent of the attorneys in Georgia are chosen for this accolade. He has been selected on multiple occasions as a top attorney in Georgia by the Super Lawyers rating service. He is a former member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

His practice focuses primarily on injury cases, estate litigation, and general civil litigation.

Troy Lanier earned his A.B. degree in 1988 from the University of Georgia, and he obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1992.