News & events
Things are always happening at Hull Barrett. We welcome you to our news and events site where you can find information about legal and business issues, our clients, attorney and firm accomplishments, and industry trends and events.News
Archives 2010
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Hull Barrett Selects Two New Shareholders to the Firm
December 28, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce our two newest members of the firm, Christopher A. Cosper & Chris Driver, effective January 1, 2011.
Learn More About Hull Barrett's Newest Members
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James B. Ellington Completes Bicycle Century Ride
December 27, 2010
James B. Ellington, chair of Hull Barrett's Labor & Employment practice group, completed his first bicycle century ride (100 miles in one day) on November 13, 2010 at the River's Bridge Ramble III in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The River's Bridge Ramble is sponsored by the Orangeburg County Gang Intervention Project 20/20, a community-based gang prevention program, and receives significant support from the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety.
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Hull Barrett included in AM Best's Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys and Adjusters
December 27, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC has been included in AM Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys and Adjusters, the most detailed source for locating qualified legal counsel for the insurance industry. The firm has been listed in the directory for seven years in a row. Law firms rigorously reviewed and independently selected for this ranking based upon firm experience and expertise within the insurance market.
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Toys for Tots
December 1, 2010
Today’s children are tomorrow’s civic, business and social leaders. Unfortunately, approximately 13 million America children live in poverty. Help Hull Barrett make a difference in a young child's life by donating to Toys for Tots. Toys can be dropped off at any one of the three Hull Barrett offices.
Learn More About Toys for Tots.
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Martindale-Hubbell Recognizes Hull Barrett, PC with its Highest Ranking (AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated)
November 16, 2010
Hull Barrett is also pleased to announce that fourteen of our partners have earned an AV ranking from their peers.
Read More About Hull Barrett's AV Ranking
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Hull Barrett Attorney Named Vice-Chair of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association's Professional Liability Committee
November 15, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce that one of our attorneys will serve as Vice-Chair of the Professional Liability Committee for the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. The Georgia Defense Lawyers Association was founded over 40 years ago by a group of civil defense attorneys who devote a substantial amount of their professional time to the handling of litigated cases and whose representation in such cases is primarily for the defense.
Learn More About GDLA
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Patrick J. Rice Named “Augusta Best Lawyers Bet-the-Company Litigator of the Year” for 2011
November 5, 2010
Best Lawyers has named Patrick J. Rice as the “Augusta Best Lawyers Bet-the-Company Litigator of the Year” for 2011. The Best Lawyers in America (2011) is based on more than 3.1 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. The lawyers being honored as “Lawyers of the Year” have received particularly high ratings in Best Lawyers surveys by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.
Read More About Augusta Best Lawyers
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James B. Ellington Selected as Chair of the Georgia State Bar's Formal Advisory Opinion Board
October 20, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce that James B. Ellington has been selected to serve as Chair of the State Bar of Georgia's Formal Advisory Opinion Board. The Formal Advisory Opinion Board is authorized to draft proposed Formal Advisory Opinions concerning a proper interpretation of the rules of professional conduct.
Read More About the Formal Advisory Opinion Board
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Hull Barrett’s David E. Hudson Successfully Opposes Class Certification Motion
October 20, 2010
In December 2009, a borrower from a national mortgage lender filed a complaint as a putative class representative alleging the mortgage lender violated the National Housing Act (NHA). David E. Hudson and Hull Barrett represented the lender and argued that class certification should be denied for two reasons. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia agreed that the case was not suitable for class certification and denied plaintiff’s class certification motion.
Read More About the Class Certification Denial
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Join Hull Barrett in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
October 8, 2010
Did you know that 1 in every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? One person is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the United States. In 2009, there were 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,170 deaths. Hull Barrett is proud to make a difference by participating in Lee National Denim Day, the largest single-day fund-raiser nationwide for breast cancer.
Read More About Lee National Denim Day
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Hull Barrett Attorneys Licensed in Georgia and South Carolina
October 1, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce that Thomas L. Cathey and Chris Driver have been sworn into the South Carolina bar. Hull Barrett, PC now has 13 attorneys who are licensed to practice in both Georgia and South Carolina.
Learn More About Tom and Chris and the South Carolina Bar
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Hull Barrett Raises $1,342 to Help Cure Childhood Cancer with Dress Down for Press On
September 30, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce it has raised $1,342 in honor of 2 special Cure kids who have been affected by childhood cancer, Brennan Simkins and Patrick Chance. Press On to CURE Childhood Cancer provides desperately needed funding for research relating to neuroblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Press On was created by Erin and Stephen Chance after their three-year-old son, Patrick, was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in June 2006. The Press On mission was expanded to include AML in 2009 when Turner and Tara Simkins joined forces with the Chances as a result of their son Brennan’s diagnosis with AML on the eve of his seventh birthday.
Read More About Hull Barrett's Dress Down for Press On
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Hull Barrett Selected for Inclusion Into the Inaugural U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" List
September 20, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce the firm has received top spot in the inaugural, highly-anticipated U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" rankings. The firm received more first-tier rankings than any other law firm in Augusta, Georgia and was noted for its depth and breadth of experience in the specialty areas of Corporate Law; Employment Law – Management; General Commercial Litigation; Health Care Law; Labor Law – Management; Media & First Amendment Law; Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; Public Finance Law and Tax Law.
Read More About the "Best Law Firms" List
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Join Hull Barrett and Dress Down 4 Press On
September 15, 2010
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Each day during the month of September CURE Childhood Cancer will recognize two special Cure kids who have been affected by childhood cancer. Please join us on Thursday, September 30, 2010 in honoring Brennan Simkins and Patrick Chance by participating in Dress Down 4 Press On. In exchange for $1 contribution to Press on 2 Cure Childhood Cancer Hull Barrett employees will wear jeans.
Join us and Press On 2 Cure Childhood Cancer
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James V. Painter Named Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Medical Professional Practices Subcommittee
September 10, 2010
Hull Barrett’s litigation department chairman and medical negligence practice group team leader James V. Painter has been named co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Medical Professional Practices Subcommittee.
Learn More About ABA's Medical Professional Practices Subcommittee
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William J. Keogh, III Appointed Chairperson & Vice Chairperson of Two Statewide Bar Committees
August 19, 2010
Appointed by S. Lester Tate, III, president of the State Bar of Georgia, Bill Keogh will serve as Chairperson for the Committee on Judiciary and serve as Vice Chairperson for the Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee for the 2010-2011 term.
Read More About the Appointments
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Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Selects Michael E. Fowler, Jr. for Leadership Columbia County
August 10, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce that Michael E. Fowler, Jr. has been selected into the 2010-2011 Leadership Columbia County class. The Leadership program’s goal is to further enhance individual professional development through community-focused topics, that include media, criminal justice, fire services, community service, local and state governments, healthcare, education, religion and economic development.
Read More About Leadership Columbia County
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11 Hull Barrett Attorneys Selected by their Peers for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2011
August 5, 2010
A national guide of the country's top attorneys, The Best Lawyers in America® 2011 (Copyright 2010 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.), has recognized 11 attorneys from Hull Barrett in 13 legal specialties.
Read More About The Best Lawyers in America 2011
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James V. Painter Named a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
July 28, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce that James V. Painter has been certified as a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA) with special competence in medical professional liability. The American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, organized in 1972, is the official certifying body sanctioned by the American Bar Association for certification of competency in handling professional negligence cases.
Read More About the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
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Homebuyer Assistance & Improvement Act Signed Into Law
July 13, 2010
The Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act of 2010 (HR 5623) was signed into law by President Obama on July 2, 2010. The new law provides a three-month reprieve and a second chance for eligible taxpayers who contracted to buy a home and qualified for the first-time homebuyer credit but could not meet the June 30, 2010 closing deadline. Those who entered into a binding purchase contract prior to May 1st to close on the purchase of the home prior to July 1st will now have until September 30, 2010, an extra 90 days, to close the transaction.
Learn More About William H. Tucker and Read More About HR 5623
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Patrick J. Rice Quoted in the Augusta Chronicle
July 8, 2010
Patrick J. Rice was quoted in the Augusta Chronicle article, “Masters Will Gain Parking.” The article discusses the Augusta Planning Commission's decision to rezone two more tracts of land off Berckmans Road for Augusta National Golf Club parking. Pat represents Augusta National Golf Club & Berckman Residential Properties LLC.
Read the Article
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Chris Driver Successfully Opposes Motion to Transfer Venues on behalf of Plaintiff
June 30, 2010
Chris Driver successfully defended Hull Barrett’s client, a general insurance agency placing and serving insurance products for consumers, against a defendant’s motion to dismiss and/or transfer a restrictive covenant suit to a new venue out of state.
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F. Michael Taylor Quoted and Christopher A. Cosper Noted in the Daily Report's Verdict & Settlement Section
June 18, 2010
F. Michael Taylor was quoted and Christopher A. Cosper was noted in the June 18th, 2010 Daily Report article, “Lawyer: 'A-Plus' Damages Case Lost in Augusta.” The article discusses the trial proceeding in the Burdette v. McDowell case where Mr. Taylor and Mr. Cosper successfully defended their client, Cowan Systems and their driver, in a trucking negligence tort case.
Read More About the Case
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Hull Barrett Welcomes Brian S. Coursey
June 16, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce that Brian S. Coursey has joined the firm as an associate in our Augusta, Georgia office.
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Davide E. Hudson Quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Roethlisberger Investigation
June 9, 2010
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is releasing more than 50 DVDs containing videotaped interviews conducted in the days after a college student accused the Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, of sexual assault in a bathroom of a nightclub in Milledgeville, Ga. In the article Mr. Hudson discusses the difference of Georgia's Sunshine Laws vs. those of Pennsylvania and many other states.
Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Article online.
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Hull Barrett Spotlight: Lynne Hamrick
June 2, 2010
What makes Hull Barrett a special place to work...the quality, dedication and camaraderie of our attorneys and staff. At Hull Barrett we are not only a full service law firm; we are a family. We care about our employees and commend them on their contributions to the firm and the community.
Meet Hull Barrett Employee Lynne Hamrick
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Davis A. Dunaway Named One of Augusta Region's Top Young Professional to Watch
June 1, 2010
The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Augusta Magazine, has named Davis A. Dunaway one of Augusta Region’s Top Ten in Ten: Young Professionals to Watch. The program highlights 10 rising professionals, ages 25 to 35, who have emerged and demonstrated their commitment to their profession and the community. Numerous applications were received and reviewed by a panel of business leaders in the area. Each recipient is featured in the June/July 2010 issue of Augusta Magazine, receives a submitted nomination for Georgia Trend Magazine's 2010 top 40 under 40 and will be recognized and honored by Mayor Deke Copenhaver at the chamber's Member Economic Luncheon on June 17 at the Augusta Marriott hotel.
Augusta region's Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch:- Caroline Ashe, Realtor at Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate
- Kristina Baggott, Director of Marketing at Comcast
- Rebecca Best, Director of Marketing, SME & Co. CPAs
- Helen Trotter Caldwell, works in the Deposit Development Office at Georgia Bank & Trust
- Al Dallas, Client Relations Manager at RBW Logistics
- Davis Dunaway, Member at Hull Barrett PC
- Dr. Audra Ford, Staff Family Physician at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center
- Melissa Furman, Assistant Dean of Outcomes at Augusta State University's Hull College of Business
- Lynnsey Gardner, Anchorwoman for WRDW-TV
- Rebekah Henry, Executive Director of Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
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William J. Keogh & George R. Hall Honored as Paul Harris Fellows by Augusta Rotary
May 24, 2010
The Paul Harris Fellow award, named after Paul Harris who founded Rotary International in 1905, was created in 1957 and honors those who have distinguished themselves in their work and community life. William and George join other members of the firm, Neal Dickert, Patrick Rice and William Tucker, in receiving this honor.
Learn More About William J. Keogh and George R. Hall
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F. Michael Taylor & Christopher A. Cosper Obtain Defense Verdict in Trucking Negligence Tort Case
May 21, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce that F. Michael Taylor & Christopher A. Cosper recently obtained a defendant's verdict in a trucking negligence tort case involving Cowan Systems and its driver.
Read Full Story...
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James V. Painter Successfully Defends Hull Barrett's Clients in Medical Negligence Claims
May 20, 2010
James V. Painter, team leader of the medical negligence practice group, has recently won summary judgments on behalf of his clients:
• An emergency room physician, who was claimed to have caused or contributed to the death of the Plaintiff’s decedent by allegedly failing to diagnose a ruptured abdominal aneurysm, and
• A neurosurgeon and his practice group in a case wherein it was alleged that the physician failed to diagnose a fractured hip.
He also recently obtained dismissals without payment for clients in cases alleging medical negligence for:
• Two radiologist, who were asserted to have misread films leading to injury and the wrongful death of the Plaintiff’s
decedent, and
• A general surgeon, who was claimed negligent in the performance of a cholecystectomy.
Jim is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards. He also has been awarded the honor of Best Lawyers in America, in the category of Medical Malpractice Law (2009, 2010) and Georgia Super Lawyers “Rising Star” , selected by Law & Politics.
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Hull Barrett Welcomes 2010 Summer Associates
May 17, 2010
Hull Barrett is pleased to announce that Madeline Mitchell & Tiffany Johnson have recently joined the firm as summer associates.
• Madeline will earn her juris doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law in May 2012. During her first year of law
school, Madeline served as 1L Senator for the Student Bar Association. Madeline received her Bachelor of Business
Administration in banking and finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
• Tiffany will earn her juris doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law in May 2012. During her first year of law school,
Tiffany was 1L Trial Bar Final Four and actively involved in the Black Law Students Association. Prior to law school Tiffany
interned for the Honorable Cheryl Pollak, Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Tiffany received her Bachelor
of Arts degree in Politics from Princeton University.
Hull Barrett’s summer associate program provides an opportunity for juris doctorate candidates to work in a legal environment and gain exposure to law firm practice. The program has a demonstrated record of success and gives law students an opportunity to develop their skills while gaining real legal experiences..
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David E. Hudson Quoted in the Augusta Chronicle
April 30, 2010
David Hudson was quoted in the Augusta Chronicle article, “Augusta Alters Records Request Policy.” The article discusses the city's move to increase their open record's policy. David represents the Georgia Press Association and the Augusta Chronicle and has given many speeches and presentations on Sunshine Law.
Read the Article
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David E. Hudson Featured in Georgia Bar Journal
April 14, 2010
David Hudson's article, entitled "Duty and Friendship: Judge John Sammons Bell and Judge Anthony A. Alaimo," is featured in the April 2010 issue of the Georgia Bar Journal. The article tells the story of a friendship of two heroic men who devoted their lives to their country and to the service of justice.
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Hull Barrett Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in 2010 Georgia Super Lawyers
March 18, 2010
The following Hull Barrett attorneys have been selected as Georgia Super Lawyers for 2010:
Douglas Batchelor (Health Care Litigation)James Ellington (Employment Litigation-Defense)
George Hall (Civil Litigation Defense)
David Hudson (Business Litigation)
Patrick Rice (General Litigation)
The selections for Georgia Super Lawyers are made by Law & Politics, a division of Key Professional Media, Inc. Each year, Law & Politics undertakes a multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers in Georgia; independent evaluation of candidates by the Law & Politics' attorney-led research staff; a peer review of candidates by practice area; and a good-standing and disciplinary check. The 2010 Georgia Super Lawyers is based on the survey of more than 21,000 attorneys who have been in practice for five years or more. The goal of Georgia Super Lawyers magazine is to select the top five percent of Georgia attorneys in more than 70 practice areas.
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Alana Kyriakakis Elected President of Young Lawyers of Augusta and Named to the Augusta Sports Council Board of Directors
March 17, 2010
After having previously served as secretary and vice president, Hull Barrett attorney Alana Kyriakakis has been elected by her peers to serve as President for the Young Lawyers of Augusta for 2010. The Young Lawyers of Augusta is an organization of 75 attorneys in the Augusta Judicial Circuit who are 40 years of age and younger. As an organization, the Young Lawyers of Augusta seeks to promote camaraderie and professionalism in the bar and provide younger lawyers with opportunities to come together in casual and non-adversarial settings. The organization also actively participates in a variety of service projects and gives back to the community of Augusta and those in need.
Alana also has been named to the Augusta Sports Council board of directors for the 2010-2011 term. The Augusta Sports Council's mission is to to provide exciting events and attractions for visitors and athletes and to enhance the quality of life for CSRA residents through sports participation and athletic events.
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Court of Appeals OKs Closed Real Estate Votes
March 2010
By: David Hudson, Georgia Press Association General Counsel
An unfortunate decision by the Georgia Court of Appeals is contrary to the notion that the Open Records and Open Meetings acts should be widely interpreted to maximize openness in government. The decision results from a series of closed meetings held by the Bibb County Board of Commissioners. In 2008, the board closed meetings to discuss real estate acquisitions, and in those meetings, voted to authorize its agent to buy parcels of property for a new courthouse. Minutes of those closed meetings were made publicly available in January 2009. When complaints were made about the closed meeting votes, the commissioners voted on Feb. 17, 2009, in an open meeting to ratify the votes that had been taken in the previous closed meetings. The pertinent portion of the Open Meetings Act, O.C.G.A. 50-14-3(6) specifically allows a public agency to vote to meet in a closed session for "discussing the future acquisition of real estate." The press and the office of the Attorney General of Georgia have for years interpreted this to mean that only discussions can take place in a closed meeting and that any vote would have to be in an open session.
The Georgia Court of Appeals has now disagreed in Johnson v. Board of Commissioners of Bibb County, (Feb. 10, 2010). In an opinion by Judge John J. Ellington, joined in by Judges Gary Blaylock Andrews and Sara L. Doyle, the Court of Appeals held that in spite of the specific language in the statute regarding "discussing," a 1980 Georgia Supreme Court case indicated that minutes should be taken showing the "aye and nay votes" for closed session meetings. Thus, the Court of Appeals reasoned that unless the Open Meetings Act specifically required a vote to be taken in public (as it does for personnel actions), the Georgia Supreme Court had signaled that an agency may take votes on subjects considered in a closed meeting.
Read More of David Hudson's Article to the Georgia Press Association
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Hull Barrett Accepted into the International Society of Primerus Law Firms
March 1, 2010
Hull Barrett is proud to have been selected for inclusion into the International Society of Primerus Law Firms. Primerus is a global network of small to medium sized, top rated, independent law firms. The network, which consist of 140 firms in over 100 cities throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom, was created and is maintained by seeking out recruitment of only the very best attorneys and law firms for membership. To be considered for membership, candidates must have the highest AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and have undergone a rigorous evaluation from fellow lawyers, current and former clients, bar associations, judges and malpractice insurance carriers. Firms must also attest to their commitment to the exacting standards of the Six Pillars of Primerus Quality: Integrity, Excellent Work Product, Reasonable Fees, Continuing Legal Education, Civility, and Community Service. And it doesn't end there, Primerus firms are audited annually to ensure that they continue to be the "best of the best," year after year. Learn More About Primerus
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Hull Barrett Helps Client Acquire 19th Century Textile Mill
February 25, 2010
Hull Barrett, PC is pleased to announce our client has entered into a contract to purchase property which includes a landmark 19th Century textile mill and outbuildings and approximately 20 acres of land stretching from the banks of the Augusta Canal to the Savannah River and the hydroelectric plant. The client purchased the property to help protect the important historic resource.
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Patrick J. Rice Recognized by the Augusta Bar Association and Awarded the Robert Lynn Allgood Award
January 23, 2010
The Robert Lynn Allgood award is given to an Augusta Bar Association member who has shown exemplary service and commitment to the bar and the community. Such service may include, but is not limited to, service to non-profit organizations, religious institutions, recreational sports organizations, and/or professional associations. The award is named for Robert Lynn Allgood, the 2006 President of the Augusta Bar Association.
