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Leadership TEAM
Chip Morris, LCSW is our founder and CEO. He and his son Caleb Morris, our COO, are dedicated to making Civics Academy the most effective offender education eLearning option available.
Board of Advisors
Real World Leaders!
John Hall
John E. Hall, Jr. is one of the founding partners of Hall Booth Smith, and he is dedicated to making it the finest litigation firm in the Southeast.
John specializes in the defense of high exposure cases, including medical malpractice, batch claims, construction, commercial litigation, mass torts, transportation and products liability. During his legal career, he has tried more than 125 cases to resolution.
His expertise in high exposure birth trauma and catastrophic cases resulted in his being named National Counsel for several major insurance carriers. This National Counsel Program establishes a litigation approach, which enables a team of specialized attorneys to become involved and assist local counsel on high exposure cases at all phases of the legal process.
John also maintains a robust corporate practice in International, International Trade and Finance, Arbitration/Mediation, Business Structures, Health Care and Commercial Litigation.
John is a former member of the Board of Directors of the USLAW Network, a premier organization of independent law firms with offices throughout the United States that provides high quality legal services without unnecessary expense to clients.
He is actively involved in a number of professional organizations and is often invited to speak at industry gatherings and continuing legal education programs. In addition, he is closely involved in developing and providing educational materials to clients.
John serves as an Honorary Consul to the Country of Georgia, and is Chairman of the Atlanta-Tbilisi Sister City Committee where he actively engages in developing international relationships between the state of Georgia and the country of Georgia.
John specializes in the defense of high exposure cases, including medical malpractice, batch claims, construction, commercial litigation, mass torts, transportation and products liability. During his legal career, he has tried more than 125 cases to resolution.
His expertise in high exposure birth trauma and catastrophic cases resulted in his being named National Counsel for several major insurance carriers. This National Counsel Program establishes a litigation approach, which enables a team of specialized attorneys to become involved and assist local counsel on high exposure cases at all phases of the legal process.
John also maintains a robust corporate practice in International, International Trade and Finance, Arbitration/Mediation, Business Structures, Health Care and Commercial Litigation.
John is a former member of the Board of Directors of the USLAW Network, a premier organization of independent law firms with offices throughout the United States that provides high quality legal services without unnecessary expense to clients.
He is actively involved in a number of professional organizations and is often invited to speak at industry gatherings and continuing legal education programs. In addition, he is closely involved in developing and providing educational materials to clients.
John serves as an Honorary Consul to the Country of Georgia, and is Chairman of the Atlanta-Tbilisi Sister City Committee where he actively engages in developing international relationships between the state of Georgia and the country of Georgia.
Hon. Susan B. Forsling
Hon. Susan B. Forsling served as Judge of the State Court of Fulton County from 1997 until she stepped down on July 1, 2013. She was appointed a senior judge by Governor Deal on July 8, 2013. Judge Forsling joined BAY as a mediator and arbitrator in July of that year. As a judge, she presided over general and complex civil and misdemeanor criminal cases and also presided over the Fulton County DUI Court Program. During this time, Judge Forsling also served as a pro hac Judge of the Fulton County Superior Court.
From 1992 until her judicial appointment in 1997, Judge Forsling was the Fulton County Attorney, serving as chief legal officer for the government. She was formerly a partner in the law firm of Young & Murphy and was a Special Assistant Attorney General. Judge Forsling has served as an adjunct professor of pre-trial litigation at Emory University, a faculty member of Atlanta College of Trial Advocacy, and a faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. She has also served as a Master of the Bleckley Inn of Court and is a member of the Lawyers Foundation of Georgia. She speaks locally and nationally on topics relating to the trial, mediation and arbitration of complex civil cases.
From 1992 until her judicial appointment in 1997, Judge Forsling was the Fulton County Attorney, serving as chief legal officer for the government. She was formerly a partner in the law firm of Young & Murphy and was a Special Assistant Attorney General. Judge Forsling has served as an adjunct professor of pre-trial litigation at Emory University, a faculty member of Atlanta College of Trial Advocacy, and a faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. She has also served as a Master of the Bleckley Inn of Court and is a member of the Lawyers Foundation of Georgia. She speaks locally and nationally on topics relating to the trial, mediation and arbitration of complex civil cases.
Hon. Herbert Phipps
Judge Herbert E. Phipps was born to J.W. Phipps and Marion Gadson Phipps in Baker County, Georgia. He and his wife, Connie Curry Phipps, have a son, Herbert E. Phipps, Jr., a daughter, India K. Epps, a son-in-law, Will J. Epps, a granddaughter, Zoë Olivia Epps, and a grandson, Evan James Epps.
Judge Phipps earned a B.A. degree, with a major in Political Science, from Morehouse College. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as an editor of the Law Review. Judge Phipps was later awarded a Master of Laws in the Judicial Process from the University of Virginia School of Law. He has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia and taught English at Thammasatt University and private schools in Bangkok, Thailand.
After law school, Judge Phipps returned to Albany, Georgia to join the law practice of C.B. King. The firm emphasized civil rights litigation, including school desegregation, voting rights, jury discrimination, student rights, police brutality and discriminatory employment practices. From 1983 to 1995, Judge Phipps engaged in the solo practice of law.
Judge Phipps served for eight years as part-time Magistrate and Associate Judge of the Dougherty County State Court. He served as judge of the Dougherty County Juvenile Court for seven years. Governor Zell Miller appointed him Judge of the Dougherty Circuit Superior Court in 1995, and after being elected to a four-year term he served in that court until Governor Roy Barnes appointed him to the Court of Appeals of Georgia in July 1999. He has been elected statewide to serve three six-year terms on the Court of Appeals. In 2010 he became a Presiding Judge of the Court, and he served as the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals from July 2013 through June 2015.
In June 2015, Judge Phipps received the the Randolph Thrower Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the State Bar of Georgia's Committee to Promote Inclusion in the Profession; the Tradition of Excellence Award by the General Trial Practice & Trial Section of the State Bar; and the Chief Justice Thomas O. Marshall Professionalism Award by the State Bar Bench and Bar Committee. The Logan E. Bleckley Distinguished Service Award was conferred upon Judge Phipps by the Litigation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association in May 2015. Judge Phipps was honored as a Legal Legend by the Georgia Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society in November 2014. Judge Phipps received The Nestor Award from the Georgia Legal History Foundation in March 2014 "for a lifetime of distinguished service as a wise and honest Counselor and Mentor to the Bench and Bar." The State Bar of Georgia has recognized Judge Phipps with the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service. He has been inducted into the Society of Benchers of Case Western Reserve School of Law. Judge Phipps's Commencement Address to the Class of 2007 of Case Western Reserve School of Law, "Lawyers - the Guardians of Truth and Justice," is published at 58 Case Western Reserve Law Review 483 (2008). Judge Phipps delivered the Commencement Address to the Class of 2014 of Atlanta's John Marshall Law School and was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.
Judge Phipps is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of SB&T Bank of Albany and Americus. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. He is a Past President of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. He is a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Albany, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Delta Delta Boule', The Inquiry Club, and the Old War Horse Lawyers Club.
Judge Phipps has served on Georgia's Judicial Nominating Commission, the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Racial and Ethnic Bias, and the Georgia Indigent Defense Council Advisory Committee. He is a former member of the State Bar Board of Governors and past President of the Dougherty Circuit Bar Association. He has served as President of the Albany Association for Retarded Citizens (now Albany Advocacy Resource Center), the Albany Sickle Cell Foundation, the Faith Fund Foundation and The Criterion Club. He has served on the Albany Technical Institute Board of Directors, the Albany/Dougherty Chamber of Commerce, and the Southwest Georgia Home for Convalescent and Aging Persons.
Judge Phipps earned a B.A. degree, with a major in Political Science, from Morehouse College. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as an editor of the Law Review. Judge Phipps was later awarded a Master of Laws in the Judicial Process from the University of Virginia School of Law. He has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia and taught English at Thammasatt University and private schools in Bangkok, Thailand.
After law school, Judge Phipps returned to Albany, Georgia to join the law practice of C.B. King. The firm emphasized civil rights litigation, including school desegregation, voting rights, jury discrimination, student rights, police brutality and discriminatory employment practices. From 1983 to 1995, Judge Phipps engaged in the solo practice of law.
Judge Phipps served for eight years as part-time Magistrate and Associate Judge of the Dougherty County State Court. He served as judge of the Dougherty County Juvenile Court for seven years. Governor Zell Miller appointed him Judge of the Dougherty Circuit Superior Court in 1995, and after being elected to a four-year term he served in that court until Governor Roy Barnes appointed him to the Court of Appeals of Georgia in July 1999. He has been elected statewide to serve three six-year terms on the Court of Appeals. In 2010 he became a Presiding Judge of the Court, and he served as the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals from July 2013 through June 2015.
In June 2015, Judge Phipps received the the Randolph Thrower Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the State Bar of Georgia's Committee to Promote Inclusion in the Profession; the Tradition of Excellence Award by the General Trial Practice & Trial Section of the State Bar; and the Chief Justice Thomas O. Marshall Professionalism Award by the State Bar Bench and Bar Committee. The Logan E. Bleckley Distinguished Service Award was conferred upon Judge Phipps by the Litigation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association in May 2015. Judge Phipps was honored as a Legal Legend by the Georgia Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society in November 2014. Judge Phipps received The Nestor Award from the Georgia Legal History Foundation in March 2014 "for a lifetime of distinguished service as a wise and honest Counselor and Mentor to the Bench and Bar." The State Bar of Georgia has recognized Judge Phipps with the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service. He has been inducted into the Society of Benchers of Case Western Reserve School of Law. Judge Phipps's Commencement Address to the Class of 2007 of Case Western Reserve School of Law, "Lawyers - the Guardians of Truth and Justice," is published at 58 Case Western Reserve Law Review 483 (2008). Judge Phipps delivered the Commencement Address to the Class of 2014 of Atlanta's John Marshall Law School and was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.
Judge Phipps is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of SB&T Bank of Albany and Americus. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. He is a Past President of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. He is a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Albany, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Delta Delta Boule', The Inquiry Club, and the Old War Horse Lawyers Club.
Judge Phipps has served on Georgia's Judicial Nominating Commission, the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Racial and Ethnic Bias, and the Georgia Indigent Defense Council Advisory Committee. He is a former member of the State Bar Board of Governors and past President of the Dougherty Circuit Bar Association. He has served as President of the Albany Association for Retarded Citizens (now Albany Advocacy Resource Center), the Albany Sickle Cell Foundation, the Faith Fund Foundation and The Criterion Club. He has served on the Albany Technical Institute Board of Directors, the Albany/Dougherty Chamber of Commerce, and the Southwest Georgia Home for Convalescent and Aging Persons.
Robert A. McConnell
Immediately after law school at Arizona State University McConnell joined the staff of Congressman John Rhodes (R-AZ) as the Congressman’s Legislative Director and served in that position before returning to Arizona and the private practice of law representing corporations, Indian Tribes, government interests including being designated by the Arizona Attorney General as a Special Assistant to handle certain litigation.
In 1981 his was nominated by President Reagan to be Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he held throughout Reagan’s first term. He then was Vice President of CBS, Inc., heading the Washington Office for three years until he joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. While at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher he, along with his wife, Nadia, founded the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation which opened office in Washington and Kyiv.
The Foundation is the longest running American presence in Ukraine and focuses on democratic institution building and the development of civil society. McConnell now, in addition to his work with the Foundation and the USUBC heads R.A. McConnell & Associates a government relations and crisis advisory firm.
In 1981 his was nominated by President Reagan to be Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he held throughout Reagan’s first term. He then was Vice President of CBS, Inc., heading the Washington Office for three years until he joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. While at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher he, along with his wife, Nadia, founded the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation which opened office in Washington and Kyiv.
The Foundation is the longest running American presence in Ukraine and focuses on democratic institution building and the development of civil society. McConnell now, in addition to his work with the Foundation and the USUBC heads R.A. McConnell & Associates a government relations and crisis advisory firm.
Senator John Albers
John and his wife Kari live in Roswell where they raised their family and have been active members of the community for decades.
In addition to his service as our state senator, John has been involved in numerous community, civic, and faith-based organizations, frequently holding leadership roles and serving as a volunteer firefighter.
Professionally, John is a business owner and executive with nearly three decades of management and consulting experience. John holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and completed post graduate programs at Harvard and the University of Georgia.
In addition to his service as our state senator, John has been involved in numerous community, civic, and faith-based organizations, frequently holding leadership roles and serving as a volunteer firefighter.
Professionally, John is a business owner and executive with nearly three decades of management and consulting experience. John holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and completed post graduate programs at Harvard and the University of Georgia.
Amy Ronshausen
Amy Ronshausen is the Executive Director of both Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. and Save Our Society From Drugs (S.O.S.), national nonprofit organizations that work to defeat drug legalization attempts, promote sound drug policies, and prevent drug use, abuse and addiction.
Mrs. Ronshausen has dedicated most of her adult life to the work of reducing illegal drug use and drug prevention. In her ten years with Drug Free America Foundation and S.O.S, she has assisted in coordinating successful grassroots advocacy campaigns to defeat marijuana legalization efforts, coordinated statewide prevention summits, analyzed and tracked state and federal drug policy legislation, and trained prevention professionals at local and national conferences.
Prior to coming to DFAF, Mrs. Ronshausen spent three years as a program specialist with the Pinellas County Adult Drug Court, working under four judges. While in drug court, Mrs. Ronshausen linked defendants with treatment providers and monitored their progress through the criminal justice system. In 2007, Mrs. Ronshausen was awarded Best Team Practices for her work in Adult Drug Court.
Mrs. Ronshausen started her work in drug prevention with Operation PAR, the largest treatment provider in Pinellas County, where she started off as a call specialist in their access center and then worked as a juvenile certified GAIN assessor. She also worked as a juvenile counselor for PAR’s Adolescent Recovery Intervention Services and the Juvenile Enhancement Treatment Services and is trained in Motivational Enhancement and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Mrs. Ronshausen volunteers as the Executive Director for the Florida Coalition Alliance, representing over 30 community anti-drug coalitions. She is a LiveFree! Key Leader Council member, chairs the Marijuana Task Force as part of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, and serves on the Pinellas County Opioid Task Force.
Mrs. Ronshausen received her Bachelors of Arts Degree from University of South Florida.
Mrs. Ronshausen has dedicated most of her adult life to the work of reducing illegal drug use and drug prevention. In her ten years with Drug Free America Foundation and S.O.S, she has assisted in coordinating successful grassroots advocacy campaigns to defeat marijuana legalization efforts, coordinated statewide prevention summits, analyzed and tracked state and federal drug policy legislation, and trained prevention professionals at local and national conferences.
Prior to coming to DFAF, Mrs. Ronshausen spent three years as a program specialist with the Pinellas County Adult Drug Court, working under four judges. While in drug court, Mrs. Ronshausen linked defendants with treatment providers and monitored their progress through the criminal justice system. In 2007, Mrs. Ronshausen was awarded Best Team Practices for her work in Adult Drug Court.
Mrs. Ronshausen started her work in drug prevention with Operation PAR, the largest treatment provider in Pinellas County, where she started off as a call specialist in their access center and then worked as a juvenile certified GAIN assessor. She also worked as a juvenile counselor for PAR’s Adolescent Recovery Intervention Services and the Juvenile Enhancement Treatment Services and is trained in Motivational Enhancement and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Mrs. Ronshausen volunteers as the Executive Director for the Florida Coalition Alliance, representing over 30 community anti-drug coalitions. She is a LiveFree! Key Leader Council member, chairs the Marijuana Task Force as part of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, and serves on the Pinellas County Opioid Task Force.
Mrs. Ronshausen received her Bachelors of Arts Degree from University of South Florida.
Ed Risler, Ph.D.
Ed Risler, MSW, Ph.D has over twenty years of practice experience in juvenile justice and working with families and troubled youth. Risler maintains his license as a clinical social worker and marriage and family therapist and serves on a variety of state and professional boards.
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