CROSS OF MERIT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

AWARDED TO MILLER & MARTIN MEMBER THOMAS J. HARROLD JR.

ATLANTA / CHATTANOOGA, November 11, 2009 – Monday, Dr. Lutz H. Görgens, Counsel General of the Federal Republic of Germany, presented Miller & Martin PLLC Member Thomas J. Harrold, Jr. with the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in a ceremony in Atlanta.  The award is the highest tribute the Federal Republic of Germany can pay individuals for services to the nation in the fields of political, economic, social, charitable and philanthropic work.  The Cross of Merit was instituted in 1951 and very few Americans have been given the award. Harrold was nominated for his commitment to service by German President Horst Köhler.

Harrold’s service to Germany began in 1978, when he helped found the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States.  Since then, over 600 German companies have located facilities in the Southeast, more than any other region of the United States. 

As Senior Member of Miller & Martin’s International Practice Group in Atlanta, Harrold is a recognized expert in assisting international companies, including many German companies who have established manufacturing, distribution and sales subsidiaries in the Southeast.

In 1985, Harrold was one of the founders and served as President of the World Law Group, which now has 51 member law firms in 39 countries linking together more than 10,000 lawyers.  He also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the German American Chamber of Commerce, the Japan America Society and the Goethe-Zentrum/German Cultural Center.

In 2003, Harrold organized the German Unification Conference which was the most important international event held in Atlanta since the 1996 Olympics.  The conference celebrated the 13^th anniversary of the unification of Germany and honored former Chancellor Helmut Kohl, former Soviet President Gorbachev and former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. 

With over 400 people in attendance, Harrold was the organizer and Chairman of the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift Celebration saluting Georgia native General Lucius Clay in an event held at Dobbins Air Reserve Base on May 15, 2009.

About Miller & Martin PLLC

Since 1867, Miller & Martin PLLC has helped businesses and individuals achieve their goals practically and efficiently. Today, we are a leading Southeastern law firm with almost 200 attorneys in three cities. Our clients range from individuals to multi-national corporations. To meet the needs of this diverse client base, our attorneys dedicate themselves to understanding the unique issues facing each client. As a full-service firm with many specialized practice groups, we can address virtually any legal challenge.

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