Atlanta, GA — The Supreme Court of Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution (GCDR) and the Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Georgia are proud to announce Ms. Eleanor Crosby Lanier, Esq., as the recipient of the 2024 Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke Award. The award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Georgia, was presented to Ms. Lanier on Thursday, November 21, during the 31st Annual ADR Institute at the State Bar of Georgia Conference Center.
Ms. Eleanor C. Lanier, Esq. (left) with Ms. Edith Primm, Esq.
Ms. Edith Primm, Esq., Senior Advisor to the Justice Center of Atlanta, Inc., and past Clarke Award recipient, presented the award, praising Ms. Lanier’s lifelong commitment to the field of dispute resolution. She commended Ms. Lanier for her multi-year dedication to developing and implementing Georgia’s new Probate Mediation registration category, noting that she was the perfect fit for the task as “a trifecta—an elder law expert, teacher, and mediator.” In her heartfelt remarks, Ms. Primm highlighted Ms. Lanier’s many accomplishments, including an extensive list of awards. She also shared that Ms. Lanier’s family describes her as “the best of us all”- a pioneer and trailblazer who serves as an anchor, mentor, and angel to those around her.
Ms. Eleanor C. Lanier, Esq. (left) with Ms. Edith Primm, Esq.
Ms. Edith Primm, Esq., Senior Advisor to the Justice Center of Atlanta, Inc., and past Clarke Award recipient, presented the award, praising Ms. Lanier’s lifelong commitment to the field of dispute resolution. She commended Ms. Lanier for her multi-year dedication to developing and implementing Georgia’s new Probate Mediation registration category, noting that she was the perfect fit for the task as “a trifecta—an elder law expert, teacher, and mediator.” In her heartfelt remarks, Ms. Primm highlighted Ms. Lanier’s many accomplishments, including an extensive list of awards. She also shared that Ms. Lanier’s family describes her as “the best of us all”- a pioneer and trailblazer who serves as an anchor, mentor, and angel to those around her.
A trailblazer in her field, Ms. Lanier developed and then managed the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline. She has also published extensively on topics including adult guardianship, Medicaid estate planning ethics, and the role of mediation in elder care disputes. Her contributions to expanding access to justice and improving ADR systems in Georgia have been profound, including her work to develop and implement training programs for Probate Mediation.
The Clarke Award honors the legacy of Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke, who, during his tenure from 1990-1994, led the creation of Georgia’s ADR system, which now helps resolve tens of thousands of civil cases each year. For more information about the Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke Award and the work of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution, visit www.godr.org.
(L-R) GODR Director Tracy B. Johnson; Eleanor C. Lanier, Esq.; and GCDR Chair Chief Judge M. Cindy Morris
(L-R) GODR Director Tracy B. Johnson; Eleanor C. Lanier, Esq.; and GCDR Chair Chief Judge M. Cindy Morris
In her own remarks, Ms. Lanier expressed gratitude for her family, mentors, and colleagues. “No one in this position stands here alone,” she said, thanking her family for instilling values of stewardship, service, and lifelong learning. She also acknowledged previous Clarke Award recipients for their inspiration and the lasting impact of their work in ADR.
The Clarke Award honors the legacy of Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke, who, during his tenure from 1990-1994, led the creation of Georgia’s ADR system, which now helps resolve tens of thousands of civil cases each year. For more information about the Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke Award and the work of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution, visit www.godr.org.
Past Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke Award Recipients:
2013 – Ansley B. Barton, Esq., Registered Neutral, Approved ADR Trainer, and founding Director of GODR
2015 – Edith B. Primm, Esq., Executive Director of the Justice Center of Atlanta & former GCDR Chair
2016 – Douglas H. Yarn, Esq., Professor of Law at Georgia State University College of Law
2017 – R. Wayne Thorpe, Esq., ADR Neutral for JAMS
2018 – Raytheon Rawls, Esq., Senior Public Service Faculty at the J.W. Fanning Institute at UGA
2019 – Melissa C. Heard, MSSW, Registered Neutral, Approved ADR Trainer, and FEMA Reservist
2020 – Herbert H. (Hal) Gray III, Esq., Managing Partner of Ragsdale, Beals, Seigler, Patterson & Gray, LLP
2021 – John A. Sherrill, Mediator & AAA Arbitrator, Retired Senior Partner of Seyfarth Shaw LLP
2022 – Hon. Charles E. Auslander, III, Athens-Clarke State Court Chief Judge & former GCDR Chair
2023 – Terrence M. Croft, Neutral at JAMS, Founding Member of GAMA, Formerly on Board of Governors