Law Commons^™

Trial Practice And Procedure, Kate S. Cook, Brandon L. Peak, John C. Morrison Iii, Tedra C. Hobson

Mercer Law Review

This Article seeks to identify and explain the cases and legislation published and enacted within the survey period between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009, which impact, illustrate, clarify, or change Georgia's law as it relates to trial practice and procedure.

Domestic Relations, Barry B. Mcgough, Elinor H. Hitt

Mercer Law Review

This Survey chronicles developments in Georgia domestic relations law from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009. This survey period saw continued evolution of domestic relations law through changes in legislation and case law. Legislation passed by the 2008 Georgia General Assembly took effect on July 1, 2008. The Georgia Supreme Court continued to accept non-frivolous appeals in divorce cases, which provide guidance to those interested in domestic relations law.

Administrative Law, Martin M. Wilson, Jennifer A. Blackburn

Mercer Law Review

Administrative procedure is rarely the topic of after-hours conversations, trailing far behind baseball scores, what to eat, and famous personalities. However, the continuing creep of influence of administrative agencies impacts daily life far beyond casual observations. It is the work of administrative agencies that propels government on all fronts. This Article surveys chosen cases from the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals from June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009. Cases from specific subject areas that one would expect to see in other articles contained in this volume have not been included unless points regarding administrative law …

Business Associations, Paul A. Quirós, Lynn S. Scott, William S. Smoak Jr.

Mercer Law Review

This Article surveys noteworthy cases in the areas of corporate, limited liability company, partnership, agency, and joint venture law decided between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009 by the Georgia Supreme Court, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States district courts located in Georgia. In addition, this Article provides an overview of important enactments during the 2009 Session of the Georgia General Assembly to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) with respect to banking, finance, commerce, corporation, partnership, and business associations statutes.

Construction Law, Frank O. Brown Jr.

Mercer Law Review

This Article focuses on noteworthy construction law decisions by Georgia appellate courts between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009, and significant construction-related Georgia legislation and regulations during the same period.

Criminal Law, Franklin J. Hogue

Mercer Law Review

This year I selected a small number of significant cases and amendments to Georgia criminal law on which to focus this Survey. This allows slightly more in-depth treatment within the space limitations and may be more useful, so I hope, to practicing trial lawyers in the ever-changing area of criminal law. This survey period covers developments from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009.

Death Penalty Law, Therese Michelle Day

Mercer Law Review

This Article provides a survey of death penalty case law in Georgia from June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009. The cases included in this Survey were decided by the Georgia Supreme Court on interim appeal and direct appeal, and in one instance, on denial of certiorari by the United States Supreme Court. Discussion is limited to claims that present new issues of law, refine existing law, or are otherwise instructive.

Insurance, Bradley S. Wolff, Stephen L. Cotter, Stephen M. Schatz

Mercer Law Review

In this survey period from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009, the courts stepped in to help those injured in motor vehicle incidents collect additional sums from uninsured motorist carriers even when the available uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may be equal to or less than the tortfeasor's liability coverage. Another notable development is found in a string of cases involving victims of mortgage fraud. The victims prevailed in all three cases.

Labor And Employment Law, W. Melvin Haas Iii, William M. Clifton Iii, W. Jonathan Martin Iii, Glen R. Fagan

Mercer Law Review

This Article surveys recent developments in the state statutory and common law that affect labor and employment relations of Georgia employers. Accordingly, it surveys published decisions interpreting Georgia law from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009. This Article also includes highlights of certain revisions to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.).

Legal Ethics, Patrick Emery Longan

Mercer Law Review

This Article surveys legal ethics decisions of the Georgia appellate courts for a period from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009. The cases concern discipline of lawyers, ineffective assistance of counsel, judicial conduct, contempt, attorney fees, suits against lawyers, and a few miscellaneous matters.

Local Government Law, James E. Elliott Jr.

Mercer Law Review

Because each and every tort occurs somewhere "in a county" and frequently "within the city limits," local governments often find themselves to be reluctant guests in the litigation resulting from such events. Likewise, citizens and public sector employees seem less hesitant to fight city hall than in days past. For these reasons (and others), litigation involving municipalities, counties, and their related entities enjoyed another banner year in Georgia, affording multiple opportunities for the appellate courts to establish new rules of law in the area or to reaffirm (and, occasionally, fine-tune) long-standing rules.

Product Liability, Franklin P. Brannen Jr., Jacob E. Daly

Mercer Law Review

This Article surveys developments in Georgia product liability law during the period of June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009. It covers noteworthy cases decided during the survey period by the Georgia appellate courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and United States district courts located in Georgia. In addition, this Article discusses bills considered by the Georgia General Assembly during its 2009 session that are particularly relevant to product liability cases.

Torts, Deron R. Hicks, Travis C. Hargrove

Mercer Law Review

This Article surveys recent developments in Georgia tort law between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009.

Wills, Trusts, Guardianships, And Fiduciary Administration, Mary F. Radford

Mercer Law Review

This Article describes selected cases and significant legislation from the period of June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009, that pertain to Georgia fiduciary law and estate planning.

Workers' Compensation, H. Michael Bagley, J. Benson Ward

Mercer Law Review

There were minimal legislative changes during the survey period from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009, but several interesting decisions were issued by the Georgia Court of Appeals. Among those were cases affirming the exclusive remedy doctrine, a case providing insight on the applicability of statutory employment when the general contractor is an owner in possession of the property, and several statute of limitations cases

Zoning And Land Use Law, Dennis J. Webb Jr., Marcia Mccrory Ernst, Davené D. Walker, Kelley B. Gray

Mercer Law Review

This Article provides a succinct and practical analysis of the significant judicial decisions in the area of zoning and land use law handed down by Georgia appellate courts between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009. The cases surveyed fall primarily within five categories: (1) zoning; (2) condemnation; (3) nuisance and trespass; (4) easements and restrictive covenants; and (5) miscellaneous.

Evidence, Marc T. Treadwell

Mercer Law Review

Every Georgia attorney and trial court judge ought to set aside the time to read every Georgia appellate court opinion on the subject of evidence (or, for that matter, any other selected subject) rendered during a given period of a year. The feel that one acquires for the attitude of the appellate courts of Georgia is interesting. Most though, will not have the time for such projects, so that to read someone else's selections and comments may be of some benefit. It will not, however, give the "feel" that one acquires through an individual reading of the cases.

This was …

Real Property, Linda S. Finley

Mercer Law Review

The survey period, from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009, has been a volatile period for attorneys who regularly practice in areas involving real estate. Each day the media is replete with stories involving the country's historic economic crisis, and the effects can be seen in Georgia neighborhoods and in resulting legislation. Given our point in history, the cases and legislation discussed in this Survey were chosen for their significance to real property law and to update attorneys who regularly or occasionally practice or render opinions regarding real estate law.