Shigley Completes14 Years in State Bar of Georgia Leadership Roles

At the State Bar of Georgia 2013 annual meeting last week at Hilton Head Island, SC, I was presented a resolution commemorating 14 years on the Board of Governors and 6 years on the Executive Committee, which included one year each as secretary (2008-09), treasurer (2009-10), president-elect (2010-11), president (2011-12) and immediate past president (2012-13). The same day I presided over my last meeting as chair of the board of trustees of the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Georgia. For a while last year it looked like I might also become a Court of Appeals judge, but things probably work out as they are supposed to.

When the meeting ended, my bride and I remained at the beach for a few extra days of R&R. In the words of Kenny Chesney, “no shoes, no shirt, no problems.”

Several years ago, as I prepared to enter the State Bar presidency, I got some great advice from Irwin Stolz of Athens who served as State Bar president 42 years ago. He said, “Have fun while you’re there, then get out of the way.” I had fun and now I’m getting out of the way.

It was a grand, unexpected opportunity to serve in these roles. Working hard at at it,  perhaps I planted some seeds that will take root and blossom in years to come.

Now I am delighted and re-energized to devote the balance of my career to a 100% focus on serving clients in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases across Georgia.