A. Diane Baker
The founding member of our firm, Diane is a native of Atlanta. She received her undergraduate degree from Oglethorpe University, and her law degree from the Emory University School of Law. She has over 25 years experience practicing law in Atlanta. Diane began her legal career with Hansell & Post (now Jones, Day), and later served as Senior Counsel for NationsBank (now Bank of America). After leaving the Bank, she and her husband ran their own start-up software company, giving her added insight into the practical business and legal issues faced by the firm's small business clients. She recently completed her term as President of the Oglethorpe University National Alumni Association, and as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees of Oglethorpe University. Diane is a frequent speaker at estate and financial planning seminars, as well as seminars on business law topics. Her practice is focused in the areas of Business Law, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate matters.

• Wills & Trusts
• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Corporate & Business Law
• Limited Liability Company Law

Education

Law School:

Emory University School of Law
Atlanta, Georgia
J.D., With Distinction, 1980

Emory Law Journal
Notes and Comments Editor, 1979-1980

Order of the Coif

Undergraduate School:

Oglethorpe University
Atlanta, Georgia
B.A., Summa Cum Laude, 1977


James Edward Oglethorpe Award for Merit
Sally Hull Weltner Award for Scholarship
Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership honorary)
Phi Alpha Theta (history honorary)
Alpha Chi (scholarship honorary)

North Central College
Naperville, Illinois
1973-1974

Preparatory Education:

Pace Academy, Atlanta, Georgia 1973

Bar Memberships

American Bar Association

• Section of Business Law
• Forum Committee on Franchising
• Section of Real Property, Probate & Trust Law
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division

State Bar of Georgia

• Section of Business Law
• Section of Elder Law
• Section of Fiduciary Law
• Section of Real Property Law

Estate Planning Council Of North Georgia

North Fulton Bar Association

Stormy Petrel Bar Association
President (2000-2002)

Other Memberships

Georgia ElderCare Network

Professional Experience

Baker & Stalzer, LLC
Member - 2006 to Present

Baker Law Group, LLC
Member - 2005

A. Diane Baker, LLC - Attorney at Law
Member - 1999-2004

Adaris Corporation
Vice President/ General Counsel
1997-1999

NationsBank Corporation (now Bank of America)
Senior Counsel
1990-1997

Kitchens, Kelley & Gaynes
Associate
1989-1990

Hansell & Post (now Jones, Day)
Associate
1980-1988

Phone (770) 992-4325 Ext 24

Barbara Bell Stalzer
Barbara grew up in Atlanta, graduated from Duke University with a B.A. and received her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University Law School in Cleveland, Ohio. For the past 15 years, she has been a bankruptcy trustee on the panel of liquidating Chapter 7 trustees for the Northern District of Georgia. She has been practicing law and life in Atlanta since 1983, developing skills in Litigation, Creditors Rights, Collections, Probate, lobbying at the Georgia General Assembly, and acting as an Administrative Law Judge for several state agencies. Prior to beginning her professional life in Atlanta, she spent several years working for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel in Cleveland, Ohio. Her practice focuses on trustee and creditor work in the Bankruptcy arena, Business Litigation, Collections, and Probate matters, as well as Guardianship and Conservatorship cases.

• Business Litigation
• Collections
• Bankruptcy & Creditors Claims
• Probate & Contested Estates
• Guardianship & Conservatorship

Education

Law School:

Case Western Reserve University Law School
Cleveland, Ohio
J.D. 1978

Case Western Reserve Law Review
Editor, 1976-1978

Undergraduate School:

Duke University
Durham N. C.
B.A., Psychology, 1970

Preparatory Education:

The Westminster Schools, Atlanta, Georgia 1966

Bar Memberships

State Bar of Georgia
Atlanta Bar Association
Georgia Association for Women Lawyers

Other Memberships

National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, Board Member and Tax Committee Chair, 2004-current.

Leadership DeKalb, Class of 1992, Member Services Committee

Professional Experience

Baker & Stalzer, LLC
Member - 2006 to Present

Barbara B. Stalzer, P.C.
Established 1990 - 2005

Zoe M. Hicks, P.C.
1983-1985 and 1987-1990

IRS Office of Chief Counsel (then District Counsel)
1978-1982


Phone (770) 992-4325 Ext 27

Laura is a fifth generation native of Atlanta. She received her B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Georgia, and her law degree from the Georgia State University College of Law. Prior to practicing law, Laura worked for ten years in the banking industry, making loans and credit decisions. Laura and her family live in Sandy Springs, where they are active supporters of Marist School activities.  She is also a USA Swimming Stroke and Turn Judge, and enjoys both attending and judging swimming events.

Practice Areas Wills & Trusts Estate Planning Probate Guardianship

Education Law School: Georgia State University College of Law Atlanta, Georgia J.D., 2007 Undergraduate School: University of Georgia Athens, Georgia B.B.A., Banking and Finance, 1979 Preparatory Education: North Fulton High School Atlanta, Georgia, 1975 Bar Memberships American Bar Association State Bar of Georgia Atlanta Bar Association Phone (770) 992-4325 Ext 233 Email:

© 2007 by Baker & Stalzer, LLC. All rights reserved.
IMPORTANT: The material in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only; it is not intended to constitute legal advice. Please see our Disclaimer page for further information.