At Zinns Law, our motto is: Strength. Compassion. Justice. We are so proud of the work we do, serving as advocates and holding companies accountable for their actions. It’s a privilege to work with our clients, maintaining close relationships while we fight their case. As 2021 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on some of our firm’s proudest moments and accomplishments over the past year. Here are a few of our 2021 highlights:
New Office! In January 2021, Zinns Law moved to our new office in Midtown Atlanta’s beautiful Macquarium Building. If you haven’t visited the new space yet, please stop by! The address is 1800 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 370, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
Legal Wins! One of our legal highlights this year is the case Long v. Genuine Parts Company, et al, in which the Georgia Supreme Court denied cert of an appellate win in an asbestos lung cancer case. At issue on appeal was the Court’s grant of affirmative Motion for Summary Judgment and exclusion of expert testimony in the plaintiff’s favor. A win for our client!
Presentations! Zinns Law founder Sharon Zinns participated in a number of panels and solo presentations this year. She spoke to the Southern Trial Lawyers Association and Georgia Trial Lawyers Association about ethics and mental health in the legal profession. Sharon, a former Georgia Association for Women Lawyers board member, talked to this year’s GAWLedu class about being your best professional self. She was also a panelist and legal expert on the Stop Sterigenics Legal Forum, which took place in April 2021.
Awards! Sharon Zinns was named one of the Best Lawyers in America for her work in Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Litigation. Sharon also earned the American Association for Justice’s Trial Lawyers Care Award for her community service during the 2020 Presidential election. She collected funds to provide food for those waiting in line to vote, and also helped observe the ballot counting process. The AAJ featured Sharon’s award and community service in the September 2021 issue of AAJ Trial Magazine.
Legal Community! In addition to her advocacy work, Sharon Zinns is very active within the legal community. Sharon serves on the Southern Trial Lawyers Association Board of Governors and as Chair of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Associations’ Verdict Magazine Editorial Committee. In July 2021, she was elected the Women’s Trial Lawyer Caucus Representative to the AAJ’s Board of Governors. We’re also excited to share that legal assistant Avery Copeland graduated from her paralegal certification program in November.
New Team Members! In 2021, Zinns Law welcomed several new team members. Jacob Kanter worked at Zinns Law as a summer associate. Jack Weinstein also spent his summer with Zinns Law, as a legal intern. In July, Laura Heppolette joined Zinns Law as a paralegal, followed by Avery Copeland in October as our law office receptionist and legal assistant.
Laura and Avery shared a few words about their work with Zinns Law, and what they were grateful for in 2021:
Laura Heppolette: “I am so happy and grateful to have joined Zinns Law! Sharon created such a positive and wonderful firm. Just in the past six months I’ve been here, I feel like I’ve learned an incredible amount. I’m helping people, from filing their case, to answering questions, to giving a reassuring phone call. I’ve been so proud to help work on settlements for clients and, most recently, helping the team with drafting and filing our Ethylene Oxide cases. I feel like I’m a small part of the movement to seek justice for our clients.”
Avery Copeland: “I have tried a few different career paths but never fell ‘in love.’ I knew I wanted to help people, try to make people’s lives better, and level out some of the unfairness. I am so happy to finally feel like I found my niche. I am thankful to be part of a team that truly cares about people and will take that extra time to extend care to someone or to make sure something is done right. I mistakenly looked at the legal world as black and white for so long. Until I gave it a chance, I realized it was a lot of heart. With Zinns Law, I finally feel like I am accomplishing what I really want to do. Also, being a part of a female-led team is inspiring and something very special!”
Zinns Law would like to thank our clients, colleagues, friends, and family for all of their support in 2021. We’re so proud of our work and accomplishments – and we’re excited for even more opportunities for Strength. Compassion. Justice. in 2022. Here’s to the new year!