The Litigation Section's January 13, 2012 meeting was the only one in recent memory that focused on environmental litigation.  The Section was honored to have three expert speakers: Maureen O'Mara, the Special Agent in Charge of the EPA's (Region 4) Criminal Investigation Division, Tony Cochran of Chilivis, Cochran, Larkins & Bever, LLP, and Rich Glaze of Balch & Bingham LLP.  Mr. Cochran and Mr. Glaze shared their insights into the highly technical and expert-driven practice of environmental litigation, and demonstrated how civil and criminal environmental issues can arise in a typical litigation practice.  SAC O'Mara described what the EPA considers in deciding whether to pursue criminal charges and explained how a routine civil environmental issue could, through lack of cooperation with the EPA, turn into a serious criminal problem.  Judging by the number of questions asked at the end of the presentation, this was a very interesting and informative presentation.

At the March 16, 2012 breakfast meeting, Mary Gill, Partner at Alston & Bird, LLP, spoke to the Litigation Section about Defending Bank Officers and Directors in FDIC Litigation.  Mary was introduced by her good friend and former Atlanta Bar Association President, Liz Price.  Mary showed her tremendous expertise and experience in outlining the challenges and pitfalls associated with representing clients faced with FDIC litigation.  Mary taught the audience that although the FDIC has many advantages in such litigation, there are techniques and strategies that can be employed to give your client a fighting chance during the difficult times associated with the recent flood of bank closures.  As always, Mary's talk was both informative and inspiring.