March 31 (Atlanta) -  Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton Partner Adria Perez was named one of the “American Bar Association Business Law Section Women Business and Commercial Advocates.” Ms. Perez received the award at the American Bar Association Business Law Section Meeting in Atlanta from the Women Business and Commercial Advocates Subcommittee which was hosting a reception honoring exceptional Women Business and Commercial Advocates from the Metro-Atlanta area. Through the years, honorees are women who stand out in the legal community and set a path for other women lawyers to follow by, for example, achieving success in a typically male dominated field, or earning the respect of their peers in a high profile position, taking on roles in non-profit or government work that benefits their community. These are women role models to applaud. 

Martha Bucaram, Corporate Counsel at Cox Communications, shared her thoughts on Ms. Perez receiving this recognition: 

Adria is not only a good role model because she is an expert in her field, a Hispanic female partner in a global full-service law firm, a mother of 2 that manages to volunteer and give back by being on the board of amazing organizations, but she is a true mentor who worries about the future and progress of her mentees.  Adria works really hard and lifts others on her way up, she checks on us, advises us, meets with us to make sure we are doing well. She is not afraid to have difficult conversations, she is real, and will give any client or colleague honest feedback. I am lucky to call Adria my friend. I admire her tenacity and dedication. Adria does not cut corners in her work or personal life and is a good example for all young women.  Adria is a doer who co-founded the Georgia Latino Law Foundation because where there is a plan and a need, she brings in the action to make things happen. Her discipline is admirable, her energy is contagious, and we can all learn a bit from her by paying it forward. She deserves to be honored with this award because she has been an exceptional role model for many, including myself.

Ms. Perez focuses her practice on representing both corporations and individuals in white collar criminal defense matters, government enforcement issues, as well as internal, criminal and SEC investigations. Her experience includes handling issues relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, commercial bribery, False Claims Act (including government contracting, healthcare and tax matters), environmental crimes and Civil Investigative Demands. Ms. Perez assists clients in responding to inquiries from and government investigations conducted by the DOJ, SEC, OCC and Office of Inspector General from a variety of federal agencies. She also counsels clients on developing and strengthening compliance programs and policies.

The Women Business and Commercial Advocates Subcommittee provides a forum for all attorneys in the committee to come together to celebrate and to support the advancement of women business litigators. This is one of the fastest-growing groups in the committee and provides a venue for business litigators to network with one another and learn from prominent women business lawyers and judges. The committee also seeks to increase the number of women who practice in business and commercial litigation by providing mentoring and programming geared toward women business advocates. In addition, the subcommittee annually hosts a program or reception recognizing and celebrating the accomplishment of women in the profession and particularly the judiciary. The group welcomes all attorneys who are interested in promoting participation of women business lawyers and judges in the legal profession.      

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