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Annual Reports

YearDescription
2004-2005Chair: Douglas Selph/ Membership: 2,359. May 6, 2004 / Awarded George A. Pindar Award posthumously to Henry Trot Hall Ware, Jr. May 8, 2004 / Section wide meeting at Real Property Law Institute, Amelia Island Florida, and election of officers for 2004-05. May 8, 2004 / Executive Committee met at Real Property Law Institute, Amelia Island, Florida. May-June, 2004 / Respond to requests for information and production of documents in Civil Investigative Demand filed by the U. S. Department of Justice against the State Bar. June 17, 2004 / Silver Sponsor for Opening Night Event of State Bar Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida. August, 2004 / The Department of Justice dismisses the Civil Investigative Demand. August 6, 2004 / The Standing Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law issues UPL Advisory Opinion No. 2004-1 that a non-lawyer' preparation of a lien is the unlicensed practice of law. The Section argued in favor of this decision at hearings on the matter in March. Blast email is sent to all section members regarding opinion. September 11, 2004 / Executive Committee holds Planning Retreat in Savannah, Georgia. October 7, 2004 / Co-sponsored Title Standards Seminar with ICLE. October, 2004 / Works begins on development of new Web Site for Section independent from State Bar' Web Site. October, 2004 / Executive Committee approves preparation and filing of amicus brief in latest incarnation of Accolades Apartments, L. P. v. Fulton County, et al. October 19, 2004 / Monthly meeting of Executive Committee. Task Force formed to investigate issues related to ad valorem tax sales. October 22, 2004 / Blast email sent to all Section members regarding on-line PT61 Transfer Tax Forms. Oct. /Nov. , 2004 / Legislative Committee prepares drafts of legislation amending O. C. G. A. 53-12-51 regarding deeds with respect to trust property and O. C. G. A. 8-2-180 et seq. regarding conversion of mobile homes to real property. November 1, 2004 / Fall edition of the newsletter circulated to all Section members. November 11, 2004 / Co-sponsored Commercial Real Estate Seminar with ICLE followed by Speakers / Dinner at Canoe. Recipients of 2004 Law School Scholarship Awards were also invited and recognized. November 11, 2004 / Monthly meeting of Executive Committee. December 14, 2004 / Monthly meeting of Executive Committee and presentation on ABC Pro Bono Project, Georgia Advocates Website and Georgia Legal Aid Website. December, 2004 / State Bar Advisory Committee on Legislation approves Section' proposed bills on mobile home and trust statutes. January 18, 2005 / Monthly Meeting of Executive Committee. January 27,2005 / Filed amicus curiae brief in Accolades v. Fulton County urging Georgia Supreme Court to reverse Court of Appeals decision regarding the effect of filing of statement of partnership. February, 2005 / Published Winter edition of Newsletter and circulated to all members. February 5, 2005 / Co-sponsored Residential Real Estate Practice and Procedure seminar with ICLE at Georgia Public Television and other locations via satellite. February 10, 2004-Replay of Residential Real Estate Practice and Procedure seminar at various locations around the State. February 15, 2004-Monthly Meeting of Executive Committee. March, 2005 / Launched new and improved website (separate from Bar' website) at garealpropertylaw. com. In addition to previous content, new website contains an archive of Agendas from past ICLE programs and links to various sites helpful to the real property law practitioner. March 15, 2005-Monthly Meeting of Executive Committee. March 15, 2005-$5,000 contribution to / A Business Commitment / (ABC) Pro Bono Project and commitment to partner with ABC on developing and promoting pro bono opportunities for real property law attorneys. March, 2005-Senate Bill 253 (simplifying provisions of statutes relating to manufactured homes) gets held up in a political powerplay and is not passed by State Legislature (other Section sponsored legislation on deeds from trusts was previously withdrawn at the request of the Fiduciary Section of the Bar pending future revision of trust statutes). April, 2005 / Awarded $1,000 scholarship to first year students with highest grade in Property course at Emory, UGA, Georgia State and Mercer Law Schools. April 8, 2005 / Co-sponsored Foreclosure seminar with ICLE at Westin Buckhead; Doug Selph, Section Chair, gave brief update on Section activities and new and improved Website. April 19, 2005-Monthly Meeting of Executive Committee. April 19, 2005 / Executive Committee approves the following revisions to the Title Standards:(a) updating and clean-up of various cites;(b) revision to Standard 31. 12 relating to federal estate tax liens; (c) revision to Standard 11. 1, dealing with limited liability partnerships;(d) revision to Standard 14. 7, relating to cancellation of deeds to secure debt;(e) revision to Standard 15. 8, relating to cancellation of mechanics liens; and(f) revision to Standard 16. 5, dealing with cancellation of judgments. April 19, 2005 / Executive Committee approves appointment of Bruce Cohen as a Liaison to the Real Property Law Section of the Florida Bar. April 25, 2005 / Georgia Supreme Court adopts position of Section argued in amicus brief and reverses decision of Georgia Court of Appeals in Accolades Apartments, L. P. v. Fulton County, et al. May 12-14, 2005 / Co-sponsored Real Property Law Institute with ICLE at Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, Florida. William C. / Bill / McFee, Jr. is post-humously awarded the George A. Pindar Award and a memorial program and first annual fun run ( / Feat for McFee / ) is held at the Real Property Law Institute in honor of Bill. May 14, 2005 / Section wide meeting at Real Property Law Institute; new officers and members of the Executive Committee are approved as well as proposed revisions to the Title Standards. May, 2005 / Published Spring Newsletter and distributed to all section members.
1998-1999Chair: James B. Jordan/ Membership: 2,066. The Section's first Executive Secretary, DeAnna Johnson, was hired and started work, part time. She is being shared with the Younger Lawyers Section. Executive Committee Retreat held at Brasstown Valley. Dues raised to $30. 00 Revised State Bar's Homebuyer's Pamphlet-Leigh Langston Clack, Chair. Undertook analysis of ways to promote real property lawyers visibility, involvement in closing process and various marketing efforts studied and developed. Investigated means of an increasing revenue base to continue to provide high level services to members (including establishing committee to investigate publication of a Georgia Real Estate Forms Book and establishing Blackacre Society, a vehicle to receive voluntary contributions to the Section over and above regular dues. Continued Section's Legislative initiatives including introducing and passing legislation concerning requirement that paper indices be maintained in addition to computerized records and additional method for satisfying of record mortgages where the holder fails to properly record a release. (Eldon Basham, Chair)Section goes "online", established Section's Home Page by participating in the State Bar's Web Site. (Douglas D. Selph, Chair)George A. Pindar Award presented to Robert L. Foreman, Jr. Special Recognition of Merit presented posthumously to Elizabeth A. "Betsy" Hishon, Editor of the Legal Opinion Letter. A History of the Section's first 35 years was written and distributed. (Bruce P. Cohen, Editor)Justice Carol W. Hunstein, Georgia Supreme Court, chaired a portion of one program at the Real Property Institute re: Unauthorized Practice of Law issues. The Real Property Law Institute (Carol Clark, Chair) set a Real Property Law Section attendance record.
1997-1998Chair: Seth G. Weissman/ Membership: 2,064. Executive Committee Retreat-Brasstown ValleyStarted process to hire an Executive Secretary for the Section. Coordinated efforts with State Bar re: information regarding recording fees disclosure/charging to clients. Model Opinion Letter-work completed, printed, distributed, and numerous seminars presented. Membership Survey Committee established with Todd Westfall as Chair. Survey questionnaires compiled and disseminated to membership. Results collected, compiled, analyzed and published in the Section's Newsletter. Used as a springboard for new ideas, projects and activities for the Real Property Law Section.
1996-1997Chair: Bruce P. Cohen/ Membership: 1,929 Second largest Section. Section's History Project started, Bruce P. Cohen as Reporter. Proposed Title Insurance legislation monitored. Attorneys Opinion Letter Committee work continued. James B. Jordan and Phillip Skinner Co-chairs, and Elizabeth A. Hishon as Reporter. Executive Retreat held at Brasstown Valley Resort for the first time. Revised Title Standards Seminar made a regular part of Section's CLE program. George A. Pindar Award presented to Travis L. Brannon, Jr. At the Institute, Lifetime Achievement awards presented to three (3) title insurance industry "old war horses": Howard L. Stillwell, John M. Matthews and J. Trammell MacIntyre. Chair of Section attended the first State Bar's Section Leaders Retreat/Institute. Revised State Bar's Pamphlet for Homebuyers. Institute returned to Georgia (Sea Island) after many years of rotating locations. Also, experimented with Monday-Wednesday format instead of Thursday-Saturday. $500. 00 Scholarships awarded to outstanding first year real property law student at the four (4) accredited Georgia law schools. Technology Committee started. James B. Kobleur, Chair. Received "Section Award of Achievement" by State Bar of Georgia.
1994-1995Chair: Gregory A. Ward/ Membership: 1,782, Second largest Section. A Real Property Law Desk Book was developed, published and sold to the membership (1000 copy initial printing with the cooperation of ICLE). Primary focus was on Revised Title Standards; a Membership Directory; Formal Advisory Opinions' Clerks'; Superior Court Clerk's Directory; Tax Commissioners' Directory; IOLTA; etc. Gregory A. Ward and Bruce P. Cohen chaired the effort. A committee was created to assist the Georgia Department of Revenue on Intangible Tax Regulations. Mason Stephenson chaired that effort. Legislative activity (1) amended O. C. G. A. 44-14-33, providing recording constitutes constructive notice regardless of formalities; (2) In rem tax foreclosure procedure assisting the Atlanta Project. Title Insurance legislation and Unauthorized Practice of Law issues continued being addressed.
1994-1995Chair: John M. Tanzine, III/ Membership: 1,785. Bylaws changed to authorize: (1) reimbursement for Executive Committee members traveling to out of town meetings, and (2) removal of Executive Committee member who misses 3 consecutive meetings on unexcused basis and filling such vacancy. Continued legislative efforts regarding (1) title insurance legislation proposed by others and (2) worked with State Bar and got passed an amendment to O. C. G. A. / 48-4-48 providing that the period for ripening of the title of a tax deed runs from the date the deed is recorded rather than the date of the deed's execution. Circulated proposed Unauthorized Practice of Law ("UPL") revised regulations to all Section members, received their comments, rewrote Real Property Law portion of Proposed Unauthorized Practice of Law Regulations dealing with real property law practice, for the Georgia Supreme Court's consideration, passed at Section's annual meeting, presented to State Bar's Board of Governors and adopted by them for inclusion in final work presented to Georgia Supreme Court for consideration. Legal Opinion Committee-continued work on Model Opinion Letter Project and hired Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Hishon as Reporter. Section's Newsletter published three times with Carol V. Clark as Editor. Intangibles Tax Committee (Mason Stephenson, Chair) reviewed proposed new regulations and submitted its comments and suggestions to State Department of Revenue. Superior Court Liaison Committee (Bill Dodson, Chair) worked with Superior Court Clerks Association and Georgia Clerks Cooperative Authority on developing a standardized indexing system and explaining it to legislators and Legislative Committee. Pro Bono Activities: Bill Dodson devoted substantial time and effort toward implementation of the 1995 In Rem Tax Foreclosure statute by serving as assistant counsel, in conjunction with the Fulton County Law Department, to develop a procedures manual, forms and pleadings. The materials developed were used statewide. This project further included the filing of the first five foreclosure suits on behalf of Fulton County/City of Atlanta with respect to specific properties. When these judicial foreclosure proceedings were successfully completed, the properties, which heretofore were unusable due to title problems, were conveyed by the Fulton County Tax Commissioner to various community service organizations, which then developed the properties for the benefit of the immediate community. The intent of this project was to assist in the redevelopment and rehabilitation of inner city neighborhoods. First seminar devoted solely to the recently adopted Revised Title Standards was held in conjunction with ICLE, chaired by Dick Beam.
1993-1994Chair: Eric D. Ranney/ Membership: 1,683. Through the Legislative Committee, the Section's proposed legislation to the Board of Governors State Bar of Georgia which was enacted into law, authorizing County Clerks, rather than the Tax Commissioners, to collect intangible tax when security deeds are presented for recording for the purpose of expediting recording. The Section's legislative program was presented as a model for consideration by other Bar Sections at the 1994 Georgia Bar Leaders Institute. At the request of the Fulton County Superior Court, Section member Bill Dodson conducted a seminar attended by 50 employees of the Clerk's office to explain basic real estate law and conveyancing concepts. The Joint Liaison Committee with the State Bar Client Security fund was created to establish ways in which the Section can assist people who have lost money from real estate attorney's defalcation from his/her trust account and to explore mechanisms to minimize attorney ability to raid trust accounts. Revised Title Standards were completed, presented to the Section's general membership, who approved, and sent to the State Bar's Board of Governors which approved them. Bruce P. Cohen and Gregory A. Ward were Co-chairs. Comer W. Padrick, Jr. was Reporter. The Legal Opinions White Paper Committee continued to prepare and issue a supplementary paper to the Legal Opinion project issued by the Corporate Section, focusing on real estate legal opinions. Elizabeth A. "Betsy" Hishon appointed Reporter. Second recipient of the Section's highest honor, the George Pindar award, was given to Comer W. Padrick, Jr. , Reporter for the Section's Revised Title Standards Project. The Section's Newsletter was published-Seth Weissman, Editor. Continued monitoring proposed Title Insurance legislation. Pro Bono activities undertaken re tax deed and the Atlanta Project.
1992-1993Chair: Chair: W. Brooks Stillwell, III/ Membership: 1,697
1991-1992Chair: Kenneth H. Kraft/ Membership: 1,591
1990-1991Chair: Russell S. Grove, Jr. / Membership: 1,908. Expanded the Real Property Law Institute "break-out sessions" to permanently feature and separately accommodate commercial and residential programs. The Section originated and shepherded passage of legislation to modify the "Equal Dignity rule" (O. C. G. A. 10-6-2). The Section's Legislative Affairs Committee was reorganized and that function was recast into the Legislative Committee of the Section, including creation of liaison with the State Bar's Lobbyist. A computerized topic matrix was developed for continuing legal education program analysis and seminar planning.
1989-1990Chair: John C. Sammon/ Membership: 1,983. The Section was successful in pursuing a legislative remedy for the problem that residential closing attorneys were experiencing in collecting drafts submitted to them for closing from some lenders with the passage of the "Good Funds Bill". In 1981, the Section was the second largest section of the State Bar. Dues were $5. 00 per year. A working partnership between the Section and the Clerks of Superior Courts Association was formed when The Georgia Department of Revenue proposed significant regulatory changes concerning the reporting of State Transfer Tax and input from the Section was sought. All Section members informed, polled, and over 300 comments on IOLTA presented to The State Bar of Georgia and Supreme Court re Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts, Section representatives met with IOLTA members concerning the proposal to require a mandatory IOLTA account: a compromise was reached; IOLTA adopted. The Section appointed a special committee to provide guidance to the (UPL) Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and the Bar's General Counsel with regard to the practice of law issues as they relate to abstracting and opining as to matters of title; a paper was issued. Ernest Ramsey, chaired the Committee. Representatives to Governor Harris' State Mapping Commission assisted in working toward modernization of the land record system in Georgia by standardizing and making records more uniform throughout the State. Section representatives met with Juanita Hicks, Clerk of Fulton Superior Court, Michael Lomax, Commission Chairman and the entire Fulton County Commission to improve record room conditions in Fulton County. New Bylaws for the Section were adopted. Section representatives worked with Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association (GRECAA) which was formed this year, to primarily promote residential real estate attorneys practice. The George A. Pindar Award was established to recognize outstanding contributions to real property law and real property lawyers in Georgia. Mr. George A. Pindar was the first recipient. Clients Security Fund-Section suggested that a portion of IOLTA's interest earnings be used to fund the Client Security Fund, and that real property lawyers be represented on the Georgia Bar Foundation. Title Standards Revision Committee with Donald J. Schliessmann and Gregory A. Ward as Co-Chairs, continued work on this multi-year project. Model Opinion Letter Committee continued its work-multi-year project.
1988-1989Chair: Alfred G. Adams, Jr. / Membership: 1,975. Standing and Special Committees were established that reported to Executive Committee. Legislative Committee to monitor legislation of interest to the Section members. Title Standards Committee to revise the title standards which had not been revised for decades. Legal Opinion Committee to publish a "model" opinion for use in real property transactions. The First Annual Executive Committee retreat was held (in Atlanta) with the purpose of establishing its goals and objectives for the coming year. Special effort was made to increase residential attorney representation on the Executive Committee and more residential-oriented CLE topics were offered, which ultimately resulted in a split session at the Institute. Emphasized reestablishing the Section as The Section for all Georgia real property practitioners. Addressed issues of specific concern to residential lawyers, i. e. , requested Formal Advisory Opinion from State Bar/Supreme Court regarding closing conducted by corporate salaried attorneys. The First Annual Executive Committee retreat was held (in Atlanta) with the purpose of establishing its goals and objectives for the coming year. Special effort was made to increase residential attorney representation on the Executive Committee and more residential-oriented CLE topics were offered, which ultimately resulted in a split session at the Institute. Emphasized reestablishing the Section as The Section for all Georgia real property practitioners. Addressed issues of specific concern to residential lawyers, i. e. , requested Formal Advisory Opinion from State Bar/Supreme Court regarding closing conducted by corporate salaried attorneys.
1987-1988Chair: Robert D. Miles/ Membership: 1,943
1986-1987Chair: J. "Tim" Carssow/ Membership: 1,777. At Luke Curtis' suggestion, the first Tom Raiford Memorial Golf Tournament was held. (Brittany Raiford was invited to the speakers' party hosted by the Executive Committee. ) The Revised Limited Partnership Act was passed by the Georgia Legislature (a joint committee comprised of the Section and the Corporate and Banking Section first proposed the adoption of the Uniform Partnership Act to the Georgia Legislature). Later proposed the adoption of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.
1985-1986Chair: Thomas C. Raiford, Jr. (deceased)/ Membership: 1,399
1984-1985Chair: Luther C. Curtis/ Membership: 1,619
1983-1984Chair: Lowell H. Hughen (deceased)/ Membership: 1,320
1982-1983Chair: Peter B. Glass/ Membership: 1,211
1981-1982Chair: Sam F. Hatcher/ Membership: 1,182
1980-1981Chair: D. Lurton Massee, Jr. (deceased)/ Membership: 1,094
1979-1980Chair: Wesley B. Warren, Jr. / Membership: 1,098. Organized Institute, including the Section's Chair-Elect made Program Chair.
1978-1979Chair: David Lee Coker/ Membership: 927. The first Real Property Law Institute was held at Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island, Georgia, with David Coker, Chair.
1977-1978Chair: Phillip M. Landrum, Jr. / Membership: 861
1976-1977Chair: Albert Sidney Johnson/ Membership: 718. The Condominium Act was a high profile legislative activity. Uniform limited partnership act was worked on. Struggled with federal law-RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act).
1975-1976Chair: Jefferson Davis, Jr. / Membership: 799. Seminars conducted throughout Georgia which eventually led to the annual Real Property Law Institute.
1974-1975Chair: A. James Elliott/ Membership: 860
1973-1974Chair: John G. Kopp/ Membership: 749
1972-1973Chair: Ernest C. Ramsay/ Membership: 677
1971-1972Chair: James W. McRae/The original Title Standards were drafted. Actively promoted the bar-related Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund to provide a viable alternative source of title insurance that would not be in competition with Georgia real property lawyers.
1970-1971Chair: John D. Cartledge
1969-1970Chair: L. Jack Swertfeger, Jr.
1968-1969Chair: T. J. Dickey
1967-1968Chair: H. Raiford Hodges, Jr.
1966-1967Chair: James W. Dorsey
1965-1966Chair: Joseph L. Abraham