For Georgia’s civil defense bar, 2021 was a mixed bag of on-and-off court reopenings, legislative stalemates and win-some, lose-some court rulings. 

Georgia Defense Lawyers Association President James “Dart” Meadows’ tenure began in particularly poignant circumstances—the Balch & Bingham partner stepped into the role after the untimely death of recently appointed GDLA President George Hall, who died while competing in an Ironman triathlon in September.