Labor & Employment Mentorship Academy

SPOTLIGHT ON 2024-25 ACADEMY CLASS Mentor Alex Meier (Partner, Lee Meier Law Firm) and mentee Rob Wheeler (Associate, Stanton Law) may be adversaries in the courtroom?but share a common dedication to employment litigation. Through the Mentorship Academy, they have built a valuable connection: sharing insights, developing their practices, exchanging experiences, and growing together as attorneys. Alex and Rob are grateful for the opportunity to learn from each other and strengthen their practice.

SPOTLIGHT ON 2024-25 ACADEMY BOARD PRESIDENT Daniel Cole has been a dedicated supporter of the Mentorship Academy for nearly a decade—first as a mentee in 2016, then as a board member for the past seven years, and now as board chair. As a partner at Parks, Chesin & Walbert, P.C., he focuses on representing executives and employees in all aspects of employment law. Daniel is deeply committed to the Mentorship Academy’s mission, believing that the relationships it cultivates strengthen the profession as a whole. His involvement has been invaluable in shaping both his career and his personal connections within the broader L&E community.

SPOTLIGHT ON L&E ACADEMY BOARD BOARD MEMBERS Corey Goerdt is a Board member and former mentee in the Mentorship Academy. Corey has spent his entire legal career at Fisher Phillips. After spending years as a trade secret and non-compete litigator, he now serves as the firm’s Director of Pro Bono & Community Engagement. Corey is grateful to the Academy for fostering meaningful connections and collegiality within the L&E bar.

SPOTLIGHT ON ACADEMY BOARD Marcus G. Keegan is a current board member and a former mentor in the L&E Mentorship Academy. As the Regional Attorney for the Atlanta District Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Marcus leads a team of lawyers who litigate employment discrimination cases on behalf of the federal government. Marcus is a past Chair of the Labor & Employment section of the State Bar of Georgia and has served as a Professionalism Group Leader at Emory and Georgia State Schools of Law as well as an Adjunct Professor at Emory Law. He believes that the L&E Mentorship Academy is a great example of the professionalism and collegiality of lawyers practicing law in Georgia.

SPOTLIGHT ON ACADEMY BOARD MEMBERS Teresa Pardinas currently serves on the Board after completing the 2023-24 L&E Mentorship Academy. As a mentee, she appreciated the Academy’s unique value and sought ways to become more involved. In practice, she litigates business disputes and employment matters at Merbaum Law Group P.C.?

SPOTLIGHT ON 2024-25 ACADEMY CLASS Mentor Tracy Glanton (Partner, Elarbee Thompson Sapp & Wilson) and her mentee Emily Walker?(Associate, Freeman Mathis & Gary) both practice in the area of employment defense where they focus on defending employment claims against their clients and providing sound legal advice in an effort to mitigate any litigation risks. Tracy and Emily are grateful for their pairing as part of the Mentorship Academy as they have been able to share experiences with each other and grow as attorneys.

The 2024-25 Mentorship Academy held its first Courtroom Experience for the 2024-25 Class, before the Honorable Steven D. Grimberg on April 12, 2025.?Many thanks to Judge Grimberg for hosting the Academy in his Courtroom and providing valuable feedback to the participants: Aaron Spratlin, Emily Walker, Hannah-Kate Gosch, Zachary Jarvis, Rachel Borgel, Laurie Williams and Ben McMichael.?Great job by everyone.?The event was well attended by this year’s Academy with a networking reception following the event at the Hudson Grille.?Thanks to Board members Lisa Simpson and Chris Butler for coordinating the Event.

SPOTLIGHT ON ACADEMY BOARD MEMBERS Jenn Coalson is a current board member and former mentor in the L&E Mentorship Academy. As litigation counsel at Krevolin & Horst, Jenn focuses on employment law and complex business litigation. She credits the Academy with deepening relationships among lawyers on both sides of the "v" and helping all involved stay on top of best practices and emerging issues.?

SPOTLIGHT ON 2024-25 ACADEMY CLASS Adam Keating (Partner, Duane Morris LLP) practices in the areas of traditional labor and employment.?Zachary Jarvis (Associate, Stembridge Taylor LLC) litigates discrimination claims and wage and hour disputes. They are grateful to have met through the L&E Mentorship Academy and for the professional development it provides.

SPOTLIGHT ON MENTEES AND MENTORS Mentor Jeff Costolnick (Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins) and his mentee Aaron Spratlin (Associate, Littler Mendelson) both represent employers in labor and employment matters. Jeff and Aaron have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity provided by the L&E Mentorship Academy to build relationships with and learn from L&E attorneys throughout the state.