September 26, 2014 (Atlanta, GA) – Evelyn Fletcher Davis, a senior partner from the Atlanta office of Hawkins Parnell & Young, was recognized by the Georgia Diversity Council as one of Georgia’s Most Powerful and Influential Women in 2014 for her leadership and impact within the legal community across the state. The ceremony was September 26, 2014, at the 5th Annual Georgia Leadership Conference at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

This award is given to an individual who provides leadership excellence in the public and/or private sectors, sustains a record of accomplishments and/or contributions to their field of work throughout scope of her career, has clout within her organization in terms of significant impact on revenues, profitability, and/or direction of the organization, demonstrates leadership and commitment to community well-being and/or high visibility in the community, and exhibits and demonstrates a commitment to the highest ethical standards and professional excellence.

“This honor is much more than a personal achievement. It’s a testament to the diverse and inclusive culture my partner and mentor Al Parnell instilled in me and the firm,” stated Evelyn.

Since 1998, Evelyn has acted as local, regional and national counsel for over forty corporations and in over 10,000 toxic tort cases in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and elsewhere. She has tried and resolved cases involving asbestos joint compound, floor tile, asbestos fiber supply, sewer pipe, automotive gaskets, and brake lining, in addition to cases involving benzene, silica and other products. Evelyn was instrumental in turning around Florida’s asbestos litigation, where she resorted to the appellate courts to reverse unfair trial court practices and supporting legislation to end mass filings of nonmalignant cases.

Outside the courtroom, Evelyn is very active in the coordination of the defense bar and a frequent speaker on women and diversity in the legal industry. She has served on the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Board of Directors, was the DRI Board Liaison to the Toxic Tort Substantive Committee, and has been the Asbestos Medicine Seminar Chair for seven years. Evelyn was decisive in presenting to the 36 member Board of Directors the need for a women’s committee for its 25,000 members, to which she served as the Chair. Additionally, she has chaired numerous seminars on women in the profession.

Further, Evelyn serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys and is the Board Liaison to the Diversity Committee. Evelyn is also a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), and the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC).

Currently, Evelyn is working with President Patrise Perkins-Hooker of the State Bar of Georgia as the State coordinator and Bar Committee Chair to institute the iCivics program into the Georgia public school system. iCivics is a program founded by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to reinvigorate learning about government and good citizenship. The pilot program has launched in four school systems this fall including Atlanta Public Schools, Muscogee County, Chatham County, and Liberty County. Training is programmed to begin in Tift County, and other Georgia counties in Spring 2015.