Rick Walker concentrates his practice in the areas of intellectual property (IP) law, association law, and business law. He is also an executive of a trade association. He has extensive experience in business and transactional law, IP strategy and litigation, licensing, mergers and acquisitions, start-up funding, and complex corporate governance situations.
Rick received his undergraduate (B.Ch.E.,magna cum laude) and graduate education (Master of Eng.) at the University of Detroit, and received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. He is also a graduate of the University of Michigan Executive Program (Business).
He is a member of the State Bars of Georgia, Michigan, and Kentucky; a Registered Patent Attorney; admitted to numerous federal and state courts, and a member of American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE), and numerous local and national business and non-profit organizations.
Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association (GAMA) – Founder, President & CEO.
Over 14 years as EVP, CAO and General Counsel of a NYSE-listed company.
Professional Honors & Activities (current and past):
AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Member – American Bar Association (ABA), American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), North Fulton Bar Association (Board of Directors, Past President), Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals (SCSGP), and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).
Frequent guest lecturer including Emory Law School, Georgia Tech College of Management, University of Tennessee, Auburn University, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, and Arizona State University (Cronkite School).
Recipient of the prestigious International Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF).
Named one of the "Latest Generation of Atlanta CEOs and Power Brokers," Atlanta Journal Constitution; and a Governance Fellow by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the highest level of credentialing for corporate directors and corporate governance professionals.
Rob Sumner, Of Counsel, provides legal counsel to trade and professional associations, other nonprofit organizations, and the meetings industry. He has also served as the CEO of trade associations.
Rob received his undergraduate education at the University of Richmond and the University of Georgia, and received the Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law.
He received the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives.
He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.
Member of ASAE, the Georgia Society of Association Executives, and Meeting Professionals International.
Former Georgia Registered Lobbyist, 1979-2008.
Former Georgia Chamber of Commerce executive.
Professional Honors & Activities (current and past):
Georgia Society of Association Executives (Board of Directors, 1983-1987; President-Elect, 1986-1987; Corporate Representative of the Year, 2004; 90 Movers & Shakers, 2008; CAE Study Group Leader; and former Governmental Affairs Committee (Chairman).
Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys.
Georgia Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee.
Georgia Forestry Association (Director, 1980-1981).
Georgia Society of Association Executives Foundation (Founding Trustee, 1985-1988; Vice Chairman, 1985-1986).
Leadership Georgia participant, 1986.
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce (Chairman, Legislative Committee).
Governor’s Intern, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Spring 1974.