Augusta Bar Association CLE

Mr. Carl William Dasher Related Seminars and Products

The Blitch Law Firm

Mr. Alexander Dixon Revell Related Seminars and Products

Nicholson Revell LLP

Dixon Revell is a partner with Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys. Dixon focuses his practice on serious personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse and neglect cases. He is licensed and regularly practices in Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama.

Ms. Rebecca Ashley Wright Related Seminars and Products

Augusta Circuit Superior Court

Honorable Ashley Wright grew up in Augusta, GA, and graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, VA with a B.A. in English and from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University with a J.D.  After working as a local prosecutor, she was appointed District Attorney by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2008.  In 2017, Governor Nathan Deal appointed her to the Superior Court bench of the Augusta Judicial CIrcuit.  

Mr. Benjamin Howard Brewton Related Seminars and Products

Balch & Bingham LLP

Ben Brewton is an experienced trial lawyer and Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Ben’s practice focuses primarily on the defense of significant personal injury and wrongful death litigation as well as substantial commercial lawsuits. He has tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict and, in those trials, has represented clients in matters involving medical liability, electrical utility injury and death, aviation negligence, premises liability, insurance coverage disputes, and felony criminal cases. Ben’s experience in courtroom advocacy also enables him to advise clients, including those in heavily regulated industries like energy, healthcare, and finance, on best practices and daily business conduct designed to avoid litigation and claims. In addition to aggressive trial advocacy when required, Ben focuses on problem solving for clients designed to help them anticipate problems and pitfalls that elevate both risk and financial exposure. If and when adverse events do occur for his clients, Ben is routinely called almost immediately into matters, including those with catastrophic outcomes, to guide the client through what will almost inevitably become complex claims and litigation scenarios. Ben is also an experienced appellate lawyer having argued cases before the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

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. Holly Grace Chapman Related Seminars and Products

Davis Chapman & Wilder LLC

Holly Chapman is a local family law and criminal defense attorney. She has been a partner at the law firm of Davis, Chapman, and Wilder, LLC for the past 7 years. Prior to that, she worked as an attorney at the Office of the Public Defender in the Augusta Circuit. She studied chemical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and obtained her bachelor’s degree. She went on to earn her law degree from Georgia State University. Over the past fifteen years, she has participated in more than fifty jury trials. The nature of the charges in these trials ranged from misdemeanor shoplifting to aggravated assault, armed robbery, child molestation, and murder. Holly has represented over a thousand people with criminal charges, assisting them with sentencings, revocations, motion hearings, trials, and appeals. As a partner at Davis, Chapman, and Wilder, LLC, her practice consists of primarily family law. She is licensed to practice in the magistrate, state, and superior courts of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the federal court in the Northern and Southern Districts of Georgia. As a member of the Augusta community, she has enjoyed participating in local organizations, including the Augusta Bar Association, Mock Trial, Friends of the Augusta Library, Junior League of Augusta, and Leadership Augusta (Class of 2016). She is the current president of the Augusta Family Law Bar. Holly resides in Augusta with her husband, Mike, and their daughters.

Mr. Robert William MacGregor Related Seminars and Products

Burnside Law Firm LLP

Robert MacGregor is a personal injury attorney at the Burnside Law Firm in Augusta, Georgia. Robert devotes his practice to protecting the rights of individuals who have been injured because of someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or recklessness and represents those who have been injured in automobile collisions or tractor-trailer accidents; because of a slip and fall; and in other general negligence actions.

Prior to joining the Burnside Law Firm, Robert worked at the Public Defender Office in Augusta, Georgia advocating for the rights of individuals charged with serious crimes and misdemeanors, and while there, tried several cases.

As a lawyer with experience helping people through difficult circumstances, Robert is able to help injured individuals through the challenges that accompany an injury or catastrophic loss while navigating the legal system and coordinating available insurance benefits to secure just compensation.

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. Christopher Troy Clark Related Seminars and Products

Gillen Lake & Clark, LLC

C. Troy Clark is a partner at the law firm of Gillen Lake & Clark, LLC. Mr. Clark has a national practice defending corporations, officers and directors, public figures, healthcare providers, and executives against civil, criminal, and administrative investigations and federal prosecutions. Prior to joining Gillen Lake & Clark, LLC, Mr. Clark served as in-house counsel to one of the largest, fully-integrated healthcare systems – in that role, he managed and oversaw numerous outside counsel relationships, litigated complex issues, including federal reimbursement, exclusion and debarment from federal programs, and complex contract disputes, and oversaw internal investigations and responses to government investigations. Prior to his term as in-house counsel, Mr. Clark served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice. During his six-year tenure with the DOJ, Mr. Clark prosecuted approximately 500 federal cases, won 17 federal trials, and represented the United States on numerous appellate arguments before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Steven Lee Sanders Related Seminars and Products

Fulcher Hagler LLP

Steve is a partner with the Fulcher Hagler law firm in Augusta. He has been a member of the firm's estate, business, and tax group since he joined the firm in 2011. His practice areas include estate planning, estate administration and probate matters, business organizations, and property matters.

A graduate of the University of Georgia (Journalism, 2003) and the University of South Carolina School of Law (Juris Doctor, cum laude, 2011), he also earned an LLM (Master of Laws in Taxation) from Boston University in 2015. 

Steve is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia and is a member of the Advocacy Committee for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Leadership Georgia Class of 2023 and serves on the Charles Yates Scholarship Committee for the Georgia State Golf Foundation.

Hon. Neal W. Dickert Related Seminars and Products

Dickert Mediation

Trained as mediator in 40-hour course sponsored by Dispute Management in 1994 • Successfully completed over 600 mediations in areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, consumer litigation, construction litigation, products liability, toxic torts, commercial disputes, contract litigation, domestic disputes, and business dissolution disputes • Registered as a mediator and arbitrator with Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution and certified as Circuit Court Mediator in South Carolina • Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and the Georgia Academy of Arbitration and Mediation • Listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2012 (Lawyer of the Year in Mediation 2018), and Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers since 2021.

Neal served 11 years as a Superior Court Judge in the Augusta Circuit and was appointed a Senior Judge in 2000. He is the author of the Georgia Handbook of Foundations and Objections, published by Thomson Reuters initially in 2003 and updated annually thereafter.

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. Paul Vincent Balducci Related Seminars and Products

I graduated from Augusta College in 1987 with a history degree and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in 1992.

From 1992 to 1993, I was a foreign legal consultant at Miranda, Estavillo & Hernandez, a law firm in Mexico City, Mexico that specialized in representing companies from foreign countries engaged in long-term direct foreign investment.

From 1993 to 1995, I was an associate at Huguenin, Annis & Lewis and represented claimants in workers' compensation and personal injury, and real estate closings.

From 1995 to 1997, I started my own general law practice and represented small businesses, collections, domestic, real estate, and immigration.

From 1997 to the present, I have focused my practice almost exclusively on immigration matters, including family and employment, asylum, investment, consular processing, waivers, removal defense, and citizenship and nationality.  I have been a member of AILA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, since 1997.

Mr. Raymond G. Chadwick Jr. Related Seminars and Products

Chadwick Mediation & Arbitration, LLC

Ray is a graduate of Emory University and the University of Virginia School of Law following which he served as Captain in the United States Air Force as a military trial counsel.

Ray began his practice as a mediator and arbitrator in 2010. Since then he has mediated over 1,100 cases. Prior to that he spent 33 years of active litigation practice in which he represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of matters which included personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, commercial, business, construction and estate disputes. He also represented many clients in mediations.

As a trial attorney who experienced some “surprises” (both good and bad), Ray came to appreciate the most important advantage of mediation: clients were the decision makers and controlled their own destinies, not 12 unpredictable strangers on a jury.

Ray is a registered mediator and arbitrator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Some of his professional and academic services include:

- Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and the Georgia Academy of Mediators

- Service as a member of the Supreme Court of Georgia’s Commission on Dispute Resolution

- Service as chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Georgia and as a current member of  its executive committee

- Service for nine years as program chair and presenter for the Georgia Institute of Continuing Legal  Education’s annual program “Dispute Resolution for Trial and Non-Trial Lawyers”

- Providing mediation training for Georgia Superior and State Court judges as part of the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development programs

- Providing continuing education on mediation for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Georgia, the American Bar Association’s Section on Dispute Resolution, the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, and the ADR programs of Fulton County, the Augusta Judicial Circuit and the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit

- Service as an adjunct professor teaching business law for the James M. Hull College of Business of Augusta University

Ray is also the author of the book “SUCCESS AT MEDIATION, How to Define and Achieve It” (available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle).

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.