Partner Patrick Connell of the Savannah, Georgia office made a presentation titled “Ethics, Conflicts and Official Actions” to the Georgians First Commission on Friday, September 27, 2019. The educational session, conducted at the invitation of The Governor’s Office, addressed ethics, conflicts of interest, and related laws governing the conduct of State-appointed commissioners.

As part of his presentation, Mr. Connell stressed that Georgia ethics laws apply to all individuals who officially represent the State. The ethics laws are based on moral principles that govern the conduct of activities on behalf of the State of Georgia. The laws apply any time, but especially when conducting any official duty of office. They also apply everywhere. All ethics rules are written and enforced to maintain the public trust.

Mr. Connell cautions Georgia public officials that as a rule of thumb, a public officer should assume that everything they write, say and do outside of an executive session or their attorney’s office is subject to public disclosure, meaning it can be read by anyone. This includes an official’s personal computer, email account, cell phone, and text messages.

The Georgians First Commission was established by Governor Brian Kemp on January 14, 2019 to review state regulations, policies, and procedures to streamline government, remove inefficiencies, and secure Georgia's place as the top state for small business in the country.

A copy of Mr. Connell’s PowerPoint presentation is available on request. Contact Mr. Connell at pconnell@boydjen.com or by phone at 912.250.0151 for more information.

About Patrick Connell:

Patrick Connell has successfully litigated a wide range of cases involving catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, professional malpractice, products liability and premises liability. He has significant experience handling trucking and automobile accidents, fire investigations, and natural gas claims.

Land use planning and zoning law is another area of focus for Mr. Connell. He assists clients with government permitting issues at the state, local and municipal levels. Mr. Connell’s practical knowledge of land use law began with his study of landscape architecture at the University of Georgia and his work as a city planner for Athens-Clarke County prior to entering law school.

Mr. Connell has significant experience representing clients in the tourism and hospitality industry and serves as General Counsel for the Tourism Leadership Council, the leading trade organization for the tourism industry in the Savannah area.

He is an active supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, having served as Co-chair of the Leadership Committee for Savannah LLS’s Man and Woman of the Year campaigns for 2015 and 2016. He began supporting LLS in 2014 when he was nominated and competed as a candidate for Man of the Year. From 2013 to 2018, Savannah’s annual Man and Woman of the Year campaigns have raised approximately $3 million to fund blood cancer research and patient assistance programs.

Mr. Connell is admitted in Georgia and the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Georgia. He was selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2012 to 2017, and was a member of Leadership Savannah, Class of 2013-2014.