Owners of such properties must, within 30 days of acquiring ownership, pay an annual registration fee of $100, file a registration statement with the Office of Code Enforcement that includes the name and contact information for each owner as well as an agent authorized by the owner or owners to receive notices of code violations, and post a sign affixed to the vacant structure containing this information.

The new ordinance takes effect on February 1, 2012. Exemptions may apply to seasonally vacant homes and residential rental properties.

Owners of existing non-exempt property must file a registration statement by April 1, 2012.

His focus on federal, state and local environmental and energy matters, including litigation, enforcement, transactional and regulatory advice; legal issues involving sustainable building design; land conservation matters; and corporate and real estate law brings a new diversity to the firm’s existing practice areas.

Mr. Hitch was selected to the “Rising Stars” list by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. He is one of the only practicing Georgia lawyers to have earned a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) designation by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The firm is pleased to continue to offer assistance to clients in documenting and closing SBA 504 loans, performing eligibility reviews, and providing guidance on regulatory and procedural changes to the SBA 504 program.

Thompson O’Brien is an Affiliate Member of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO).

Aaron M. Kappler and Erin R. Moore successfully represented a corporation against a former officer in a jury trial in the Forsyth County Superior Court.

The corporation asserted that the former officer had breached the fiduciary duties that he owed to the corporation and converted and misappropriated corporate assets.  The former officer claimed that he did not owe the corporation any fiduciary duty and denied that he misappropriated the assets.  The six person jury found in favor of the corporation and awarded a six-figure verdict for compensatory damages.

Partner Ted W. Hight III successfully defended one of the world’s largest commercial financing companies against a $120 million counterclaim asserted in the Superior Court of Sumter County, Georgia.

Partner Bret T. Thrasher was one of 36 out of nearly 800 applicants selected to the 25th class of Leadership Gwinnett for 2009.

Leadership Gwinnett is a nine month program providing a diverse group of existing and emerging leaders a unique opportunity to experience many of the challenges facing Gwinnett.

Partner J. Patrick O’Brien and Associate Aaron M. Kappler successfully appealed and reversed a trial court’s order denying their client’s motion for summary judgment: Associated Credit Union v. Pinto, Georgia Court of Appeals, No. A09A0126 (April 23, 2009).

Associate Kevin S. Kovalchik was named a Rising Star by Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta Magazine, Super Lawyers 2009).