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76 l Macon Magazine aPRiL/MaY 2014 ADVERTISING | WOMEN IN BUSINESS TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE AT JBBG? My practice is devoted 100% to civil litigation, with an emphasis in insurance and personal injury law. I represent insurance carriers in personal injury matters comprised of automobile liability and uninsured/underinsured litigation, premises liability, and insurance coverage disputes. I represent employers in both state and federal courts in employment discrimination matters, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, Fair Labor Standards Act claims, workers' compensation claims, and general employment and labor claims. Additionally, I represent governmental entities and municipalities in Title VII and Section 1983 claims including excessive force, police misconduct, discrimination, retaliation, and equal protection. WHAT EXPERIENCE HAS MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE? I am extremely fortunate to have been raised by two wonderful parents, Eddie and June Underwood. My parents instilled in me intense work ethics, moral values, as well as the drive and determination to succeed. I received a great public school education at Warner Robins High School, which provided me the foundation to attend Georgia Southern University on the Hope Scholarship. As a criminal justice major, I chose to attend law school to become an FBI agent. At that time, a law degree was one of the top ways to gain admission to the FBI. During law school, I became more and more drawn to the practice of law, ultimately choosing to forego the FBI in order to practice law in Macon, GA. WHO IS SOMEONE YOU HAVE MODELED YOUR CAREER AFTER? During my years in practice as well as my work as a paralegal prior to attending law school, I have been incredibly fortunate to work with and learn from a number of talented attorneys. A few who immediately come to mind include Tom Richardson, Mary Katz, Duke Groover, David B. Higdon, Sr., Robert Sullivan, Judge Bryant Culpepper, and Judge Lamar W. Sizemore, Jr. The practice of law requires continuous legal education and presents new challenges each day. As a result, I continue to learn and grow as an attorney. 231 Riverside Drive, Ste 100 | Macon, GA 31201 www.JamesBatesLLP.com | 478.742.4280 Carol L. Underwood Associate James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION AS A SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR WITH MERRILL LYNCH? I enjoy the close relationships I build with my clients and their extended families. I take pleasure in helping clients to articulate their goals, develop a strategy, and track their progress toward the goal. This often relates to retirement strategies, but can also involve education savings and estate administration. I find it fulfilling to employ my helpful nature, analytical skills, and financial knowledge in service to my clients. I often work with women who are facing the management of their financial lives on their own for the first time. It is so rewarding to help them understand financial matters, and to watch them begin to make informed decisions by themselves. WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR APPROACH TO FINANCIAL ADVISING? We take a holistic personalized approach to a client's financial matters, managing their investments, banking and lending, but also knowing all we can about their business, real estate holdings, tax position, insurance coverage, and wills and other legal matters. This enables us to coordinate with their CPA and attorney, to ensure that all of the components of their financial life are working in harmony. ALONG WITH INCREASING THEIR FINANCIAL POSITIONS, WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR CLIENTS GAIN FROM WORKING WITH YOU? They can form a trusting relationship where they can tell me anything, and can expect a frank and direct response, without judgment. They are able to work with an advisor who, as Charles E. Merrill taught us, puts their interests first. HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS? I have joined Hal McSwain and Drew Young in forming The McSwain Young Maley Group. All of us are CFP® practitioners. In addition, Hal is a CIMA® and I am a CRPC®. Our strengths complement each other, and we can draw on our combined 56 years of experience along with the skills of our three assistants to provide our clients with sound advice and impeccable service. 3920 Arkwright Road | Macon, GA 31210 www.fa.ML.com/MYMGROUP | 478.471.4142 Amy Maley Merrill Lynch Wealth Management ADVERTISING | WOMEN IN BUSINESS 231 Riverside Drive, Ste 100 | Macon, GA 31201 www.JamesBatesLLP.com | 478.742.4280 TELL US ABOUT JAMES-BATES-BRANNAN-GROOVER-LLP. James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP is a full-service business law firm delivering high-quality, cost-effective legal services for individuals and businesses throughout Georgia. We put our clients first by being responsive, by being accessible, by continuously improving our procedures and by understanding their needs. WHAT IS MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR JOB? JO LANIER MEEKS, PARTNER: The most rewarding part of my job is working with people. As a litigator, I am in daily contact with people from all walks of life in Georgia and beyond. It is gratifying to be able to assist someone in resolving a legitimate dispute and to receive a "thank you" when the matter is concluded. HOW DID YOUR CAREER PATH LEAD YOU TO YOUR CURRENT PROFESSION? KIM H. STROUP, OF COUNSEL: I have provided a diverse range of legal services in the Middle Georgia area for over 20 years. On behalf of the firm, I have the opportunity to work with financial institutions, businesses and individuals. I have had the opportunity to provide pro bono counsel to individuals who otherwise may not be able to afford legal assistance with the same level of service provided to all clients of the firm. WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST TO PURSUE YOUR CAREER GOALS? KATHRYN S. WILLIS, ASSOCIATE: My mother and father were my greatest influences. My mother nurtured my love of reading and writing. My father encouraged me to let my interests guide my career choice. They both taught me that hard work and dedication place almost all goals within reach. Their unwavering support and encouragement gave me the self-confidence to pursue my career goals. WHERE DO YOU ENVISION YOURSELF FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? CORRIE E. HOLTON, ASSOCIATE: I have been blessed to be surrounded by talented and hard-working mentors. I am constantly impressed with how these colleagues and friends serve their clients, but also deeply invest in their communities. Five years from now, I envision being an established attorney, dedicated to my clients and my legal practice, but also vibrantly engaged in promoting the welfare of the city in which I live and work. TELL US ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. NATALIE STROUD BROWN, ASSOCIATE: It is difficult for me not to sign up for every wonderful organization that is working to make Macon a better place! I have had the opportunity to serve our community through raising funds for the United Way and an upcoming canned food drive with the Georgia Food Bank Association. I am excited to find more opportunities for our office to serve our community. James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP Georgia's Law Firm Pictured from left to right: Jo Lanier Meeks, Kim H. Stroup, Natalie Stroud Brown, Corrie E. Holton, Kathryn S. Willis