Elizabeth J. Appley

EDUCATION:

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW                             J.D. awarded May 1978

New York,New York

HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE                                                              B.A. awarded May 1975

Amherst,Massachusetts                                    

Thesis: The Effect of Special Interest Groups on the Formation of National Health Policy

Internships (Full Time):

United StatesSenate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, Health Subcommittee

(September 1974 – January 1975)

Governor Jimmy Carter, Georgia Department of Human Resources Office of the Commissioner (with continued DHR employment on a grant developing a Medicaid reimbursable model to provide home care for seniors as an alternative to institutional care) (February-August 1973)

LEGAL EXPERIENCE:

LAW OFFICE OF ELIZABETH J. APPLEY                                    1982 - Present

Atlanta,Georgia

General practice of law with emphasis on civil litigation in administrative, trial and appellate settings, involving health law, employment rights, civil rights, rights of people with disabilities and education law.  Notable cases in the areas of police misconduct, sovereign immunity, education law, and rights of people with disabilities.  Expertise and certification in civil mediation, arbitration and negotiation.

Governmental relations advocacy full time during the Georgia General Assembly representing non-profit, for-profit  and governmental agencies on economic justice and poverty issues, worker’s rights, healthcare, funding for health and social services, rights of people with disabilities, women’s rights, and access to health care, and education, 1994 - present.

ASSOCIATE                                                                                    1978 - 1982

Law Office of Margie Pitts Hames, P.C.    

Atlanta,Georgia

Civil litigation in state and federal courts on employment discrimination, medical malpractice, education law, domestic relations, personal injury, and the rights of people with disabilities.  Representation of health care providers (hospital, out-patient clinics, and physicians), incorporation and representation of small businesses, advocacy and negotiation.

LEGAL ASSISTANT                                                              Summer 1976

Office of General Counsel, Region IV

Department of Health and Human Services          

Research and writing trial briefs in cases involving workers' disability and coal miners' black lung benefits. Participation in the organization of evidence and legal research for Title IX litigation involving gender discrimination in higher education programs.

HONORS AND AWARDS:  

Atlanta Bar Association 2004 Outstanding Woman in the Profession Achievement Award.

Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, First Annual Kathleen Kessler Award, 1997

Elizabeth J. Appley is an experienced attorney engaged in private practice in Atlanta involved in arbitration, mediation, litigation and lobbying.  Elizabeth has worked and represented clients on a wide range of health, education, housing, economic justice, social service policy and budget issues at the state and federal levels in the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches of government.  She has secured numerous legislative successes at the Georgia General Assembly on budget and substantive issues and won groundbreaking cases in the areas of health law, education law, employment discrimination, constitutional rights and rights of people with disabilities. She is certified as an Arbitrator and Mediator.  A graduate ofHampshireCollege inAmherst,Massachusetts, she received her law degree from Columbia University School of Law inNew York City. 

Elizabethis a Past President of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers.  She presently Chairs the Georgia Forum and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta and serves on the National Board of the American Forum.  She was a founding Board member of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.  Elizabeth served for many years on the State Bar of Georgia Judicial Selection Committee and is a Past Chair of the Individual Rights Section.  Elizabethreceived the Atlanta Bar Association’s Outstanding Woman in the Profession Achievement Award and was Atlanta Woman Magazine nominee for Woman of the Year.  She lives in Atlanta with her husband, N. Sandy Epstein, Esq., and has two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. 

235 Peachtree Street, N.E.

Suite 2212 North Tower

Atlanta, Georgia 30301

Phone: 404-523-3800

Fax:     404-523-0426

Email: [email protected]