Robin Clark says the leadership of the State Bar of Georgia should reflect the diversity of its members.
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As president of the State Bar of Georgia, I must respond to the letter writer of "Legislation to curb Holt demands is flawed," published Feb. 25.
First and foremost, it is wrong to accuse any Georgia court of paying "lip service" to the rule of law. That statement attempts to undermine the integrity and credibility of our courts. Georgia's judges are doing their best to fairly and neutrally apply the law to the facts. Also, the judicial branch has multiple levels of review (appeals) to self-correct any mistakes.
During my years of experience litigating many cases involving insurance companies, numerous Georgia judges have ruled for and against my clients. While I may have been disappointed, never once has it ever occurred to me that any judge has been biased, or has in any way not done her or his very best to seek justice for all of the parties.
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, along with Rep. Jay Powell, R-Camilla, and his bipartisan team of co-sponsors who introduced HB 336, and Rep. Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, chairman, and other members of the House Judiciary Committee which favorably reported the legislation are to be commended for their efforts to address this issue through such balanced and innovative approach.
If enacted, this will be the first third-party law of its kind in the United States and would help protect the rights of policy holders, including small businesses and responsibly insured people, from ridiculous bad faith results. In fact, it is difficult to understand why the letter writer would be against it.
Our leaders, through this proposed legislation, have demonstrated they are interested in finding a viable solution for what is truly in the best interests of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all of Georgia's citizens.
Robin Frazer Clark, President State Bar of Georgia
