On August 15, 2012, Bovis, Kyle & Burch was featured in the Daily Report for the expansion of the firm's Family Law practice.  The firm added new partner, Erin Stone, and two new associates, Winfield Pollidore and Erica Byrd. In the article, Stone states that her attraction to Bovis, Kyle & Burch was the firm's growth in its Family Law practice, as well as her ability to draw on expertise from the firm's general practice groups. Pollidore, previously an IP and patent attorney, turned his talents to family law when he met Stone at a domestic relations mediation training and has practiced family law with her since. Byrd, who clerked for Bovis, Kyle & Burch, interned for the DeKalb County Child Advocacy Center and was a law clerk for DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory Williams. For more information, the full press release can be found at http://www.dailyreportonline.com/PubArticleFriendlyDRO.jsp?id=1202567463204.

Jack Burch, Christina Craddock and Tim Burson will be among the featured speakers at the 23rd Annual Southern Surety & Fidelity Claims Conference, April 18-20, 2012 in Clearwater, Florida.  Christina is presenting with Capitol Insurance Company's Ron Wills and is addressing fraud and misrepresentation and the impact of such on bond claims.  Jack Burch is joined by Chubb & Sons Insurance Group's Christine Romeo and is discussing cutting edge strategies for bond claim professionals.  Tim Burson and Liberty Mutual's Judith Bufler will be speaking about the effect of Statutes of Descent and Distribution on commercial probate bonds for administrators and personal representatives.  The Southern Surety and Fidelity Claims Conference is an annual gathering of Surety Bond and Fidelity Claims Professionals and Attorneys from across the United States to discuss and review important developments and strategies used in responding to surety bond and fidelity insurance loss claims and issues. 

Bovis, Kyle & Burch, LLC is a founding sponsor of the seminar.  After 10 conferences in Atlanta--the conference now rotates annually between Charleston, SC, New Orleans, LA and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL.

On March 13, 2012 the Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed a judgment obtained by Tim Burson for Western Surety Company defeating a claim by two adult heirs against a $310,000 bond for alleged waste, mismanagement and self dealing by a bonded conservator.   In Re Estate of Clorina Haring.  A11A2282, ___Ga. App.____, _____SE.2d______(March 13, 2012).   The Probate Court suit for accounting, and bond surcharge was brought by two adult heirs--one as Executor against a caretaker Conservator (and his Surety) of their mother.  The Conservator had paid an unlicensed caretaker and himself at least $222,690.02 for the supervision of the Ward for more than 5 years after she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and declared incompetent.  The payments had been made without express prior or subsequent approval by the Probate Court.  Through Mr. Burson, the Surety successfully persuaded the Probate Court (in the face of the claimant's contrary expert testimony) that a licensed care-facility or licensed caretaker could not have reasonably cared for the Ward for less costs than the amounts charged by the unlicensed caretaker and the bonded Conservator and moreover could not have cared for the Ward with the love and attention she actually received.  The Surety's defense strategy was premised upon the facts that the bonded Conservator--who had lived with the Ward for more than 32 years though the two were never formally married--treated the Ward with more love and affection than she could ever receive in a licensed facility and that the costs incurred were significantly less than the amount a licensed facility would have charged for this particular non-ambulatory, non-communicative Ward--who required supervision and attention 24 hours every day.  The Court of Appeals upheld the entirety of the Probate Court judgment including an award of attorneys' fees and expenses in favor of the Surety and against the Ward's executor heir and his sibling.

Two Bovis, Kyle & Burch, LLC (BKB) attorneys have been named “Rising Stars” in Georgia in the 2012 Super Lawyers selection process.

Super Lawyer “Rising Stars” are chosen through independent research and peer nominations.  “Rising Stars” must either be 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less.  No more than 2.5% of lawyers in the state are named to this prestigious honor.  The BKB attorneys selected as “Rising Stars” in 2012 are:

-Adam Grafton (Workers’ Compensation)

-Ben Leonard ( Workers’ Compensation)

Congratulations to both Ben and Adam on this fine accomplishment!   Additional information on Super Lawyers and Rising Stars can be found online at www.superlawyers.com