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MACON ATTORNEY LEADS UGA LAW SCHOOL ALUMNI

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Tuesday, July 25, 2000

CONTACT: Kathy R. Pharr, (706) 542-5172, pharr@arches.uga.edu WRITER: Kathy R. Pharr, (706) 542-5172, pharr@arches.uga.edu

MACON ATTORNEY LEADS UGA LAW SCHOOL ALUMNI

ATHENS, Ga. - James P. Smith, a partner with the Atlanta-based law firm of Arnall, Golden & Gregory, LLP in Macon, has been elected president of the University of Georgia School of Law's alumni organization. The group, the Law School Association, represents the interests of the school's 7,300 alumni, who practice in nearly every county in Georgia, 47 states and internationally.

Smith was formally inducted as alumni president at the UGA Law School Association's annual breakfast meeting in Savannah in mid-June. His term in office will run until June 30, 2001. The Law School Association promotes the interests of the UGA law school and the cause of legal education while also fostering a permanent affiliation and fellowship among all UGA law graduates. The Law School Association Council - the leadership group of the body - serves as a liaison between the alumni and law school and administers an annual budget of more than $400,000, which provides vital funding for student scholarships, alumni programs, faculty research and administrative support. The council meets at least four times during the academic year, and Smith will chair those discussions, serving as the primary contact between the dean of the law school and the council members. Smith has been a member of the Law School Association Council since 1991 and during that time has served in all its elected leadership positions: secretary, treasurer and president-elect.

"Jim Smith is an ideal choice to lead our Law School Association," said David Shipley, dean of the UGA School of Law. "His long service on the LSA Council has provided him with outstanding knowledge and experience, and he is staunchly dedicated to his alma mater. I look forward to working closely with Jim -- and the alumni whose voice he represents -- throughout the coming year."

Smith earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in business from UGA and earned his law degree cum laude from UGA in 1981. He has practiced with Arnall, Golden & Gregory, LLP for nearly 20 years, specializing in the areas of business litigation and bankruptcy.

Smith, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Smith of Dawson, Georgia, was born and reared in Dawson. He is married to the former Ann Bowen of Vienna. They have two children, Alexandra (age 12) and Peyton (age 8).

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