The Atlanta Lawyer June/July 2014 | Page 15

Bench & Bar Reception Speed.” So imagine my shock when a couple of months ago my wife and I went out to dinner with Cindy and Trudy and, when the valet brought Cindy’s car around, it was an SUV! This was like seeing Mario Andretti driving a Ford Fusion. It was then I knew that Cindy needed to retire in order to try to reclaim her standing as the fastest judge in North America. Not to mention that a sports car would look much better on the coast of Mexico. I congratulate Cindy on justly receiving the Bleckley Award for Judicial Excellence.” From Judge Wendy Shoob: One of the first times I remember getting to know Cindy was at a State Court conference in North Georgia. She had a mountain house near the hotel and she invited me to stay with her. After drinks and dinner at the hotel, Cindy was driving us back to her house. Suddenly, she made a quick right turn into some random neighborhood and stopped. She got out of the car and told me that I had to drive. We switched seats, got back on the road, only to meet a state patrol roadblock ahead. Thanks Cindy! She is a good friend, smart and tenacious, funny and loyal, adventurous and fearless. I feel lucky that she is in my corner and that she is my friend. We spoke shortly before the ceremony and she shared with me that she was so very sad to be leaving her position with Governor Miller and that she might break down and cry during her acceptance speech. I strongly admonished her that women cannot cry at public events, but to my surprise, the only one who did cry was Governor Miller. A lovely tribute to their friendship. And with that, it is my distinct honor and pleasure to present to you my dearest of friends, the Honorable Cynthia D. Wright. From Judge Jane Barwick: Governor George Busbee used to call Cindy “Two,” because that was her extension on his phone. He continued to call her that for as long as they knew each other. From Kyla Lines, Esq.: As her former staff attorney, I remember when I went into private practice, Judge Wright insisted on being my client and purchased the first hour of my time as her attorney. I never cashed the check and never intended to, preferring instead to keep it as a wonderful reminder of my admiration for the Judge. From Justice Carol Hunstein: I was honored when Cindy, then Executive Counsel to Governor Zell Miller, asked me to introduce her when she was sworn in as Judge of the State Court of Fulton County. I had encouraged her to consider becoming a judge because I felt that the dynamics and challenges of the bench would hold her interest for longer than most of her previous positions, as she did have a reputation for frequently changing jobs, houses, and cars. On May 13, 2014 the Litigation Section hosted the 2014 Bench & Bar Reception at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP. Shown from left to right are Section Chair J. Matthew Maguire (Parks Chesin & Walbert, PC) and the 2014 Logan E. Bleckley Award Recipient The Hon. Cynthia D. Wright (Chief Judge, Superior Court of Fulton County). The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association June/July 2014 THE ATLANTA LAWYER 15