OVERVIEW
Qualifications for Volunteers
Attorneys
In order to become a Volunteer Lawyer, you must be an attorney licensed to practice in Georgia who is in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia. An attorney may volunteer for any program he or she wishes, but should be aware that some of the programs have training or experience requirements. Please check the links to the specific programs to determine if training or experience is required, and continue to check this website for upcoming training opportunities. AVLF provides training throughout the year for anyone interested in learning a new area of law or just looking for a refresher course. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the Volunteer Information Form below. Our volunteer coordinator will contact you to discuss your skills and interests and will get you the information you need to determine which project is right for you.
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
Paralegals
In order to become a Volunteer Paralegal you must be working for a firm, be retired or on leave and able to provide references, or be a member of the Georgia Association of Paralegals. We often have special events and programs where we use volunteer paralegals to help us screen clients, complete applications or other paperwork and draft documents.
Law Students
AVLF also allows law students to volunteer through established externship programs with Georgia State, John Marshall and Emory University law schools. Students assist victims of Domestic Violence in obtaining Temporary Protective Orders and practice under Georgia's Third Year Practice Act under the supervision of the director of AVLF's Domestic Violence Project Safe Families Office. For more information please contact Liz Whipple, Safe Families Office Director, at 404-612-4316.
*
Unfortunately we are not able to use volunteers who are not trained legal professionals or law students.
AVLF Volunteer Form 11 1 11.doc
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PROBATE INFO CENTER
About 150 people are served by the Probate Information Center each year.
Probate Information Center
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
If you have practiced for at least three years primarily in the area of probate and estate administration, the Probate Information Center is an excellent pro bono opportunity for you. As a PIC volunteer, you commit to providing an afternoon of volunteer service at the Probate Court of Fulton County. During your afternoon, you will consult privately with prescreened individuals who have made appointments to meet for 45 minutes with a volunteer attorney about a probate-related question or concern.
When you staff PIC, you will meet with your clients in a private office located at the Fulton County Probate Court Clerk’s Office, where you will have forms, statutes, a computer and other resources available to you. The staff at the Court are extremely helpful and very appreciative of your assistance. By helping pro se individuals navigate the probate process, you are also enhancing the efficiency of the Court’s efficient operation. This is truly a project where everyone wins!
Common areas where clients need help:
• No Administration Necessary Petitions
• Probate of Simple Wills
• Administration of Estates
• Petitions for Year’s Support
• Poverty Affidavits
Because you must be an experienced probate attorney to volunteer for PIC, no specific training is required in order to sign up. If you are interested in more information or to get on our schedule, please contact Amanda Donalson at adonalson_avlf.org or (404) 521-9012.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic Violence Program
Volunteers are vital to the DV Project. There are three ways in which to volunteer with AVLF’s DV Project: 1) by assisting with intake at our Safe Families Office, located at the Fulton County Courthouse; 2) by representing DV clients in civil Temporary Protective Order (TPO) hearings in Fulton County Superior Court; and 3) by representing DV clients in divorce matters in Fulton County Superior Court.
Intake at our Safe Families Office includes: meeting with DVsurvivors on a walk-in basis at the Fulton County Courthouse, assessing their cases for factual and legal issues, providing information on available legal options, providing safety-planning information, making referrals to other appropriate agencies, assisting with the completion of legal documents necessary to initiate a TPO case, and accompanying survivors to ex parte hearings, where a 30-day emergency order may be issued. Attorneys, paralegals, and law students may participate after completing an AVLF-sponsored Domestic Violence training program. Volunteers must be able to commit to a regular intake shift of three hours in length per week.
Representing DV Clients in TPO Hearings includes: receiving from AVLF a pre-screened case where the petition has already been filed and an ex parte order has already been awarded, making contact with the client and preparing the case, and representing the client in court during an evidentiary hearing. The evidentiary hearings occur every Monday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 8G in the Fulton County Courthouse. Most cases are resolved within 30 days of taking the case, with an average of 15 - 20 hours of pro bono time.
Volunteer attorneys must be licensed to practice in Georgia to participate in this program, but they need not be litigators or family-law attorneys to participate. Rising third-year law students may participate for credit or on a volunteer basis. In order to be eligible to participate, volunteers/externs must first attend an AVLF-sponsored Domestic Violence training program. Attorneys may receive CLE credit for their participation. Paralegals and administrative assistants are encouraged to participate if they are able to partner with an attorney.
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READ MORE
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
EVICTION DEFENSE
Eviction Defense
In 2002, the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) joined forces with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society (ALAS) and Atlanta law firms to establish the Eviction Defense Program. Through this program, tenants in imminent danger of losing their homes are offered free legal representation to respond to the claims of the landlord and to raise any affirmative claims they may have against the landlord. Potential clients are screened by AVLF and ALAS, then assigned to a volunteer attorney. Client and attorney speak in anticipation of trial and then meet on the day of trial to finish preparation. The attorney represents the tenants in the obligatory mediation and, if necessary, the hearing that would take place if the mediation does not resolve the dispute. The representation is concluded at the end of the mediation or hearing.
Most Eviction Defense volunteers work at one of four sponsoring law firms: King & Spalding, Troutman Sanders, Carlton Fields and Seyfarth Shaw, but other attorneys are always welcome. This program requires either direct experience with the dispossessory court or specialized training on the law and process. AVLF will provide such training on request when sufficient attorneys at a law firm are interested in volunteering with this program. At least once a year we also conduct a refresher training at one of the sponsoring law firms, which other attorneys in the community are welcome to attend.
If you are at one of the sponsoring law firms and are interested in volunteering, please check with the pro bono coordinator at your firm and sign up through that person. If you are not at a sponsoring firm, but are interested in learning about upcoming training or believe you have sufficient experience to handle a case without further training, please contact AVLF at (404) 521-0790.
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic Violence Program
Volunteer attorneys through AVLF’s Domestic Violence Representing DV Clients in Divorce Matters includes: receiving from AVLF a pre-screened case, making contact with the client, and representing the client from initiation through completion of the divorce case. Attorneys licensed in Georgia may participate. Attorneys with some experience in family law are preferred.
If you are interested in participating in the DV Project or would like information about upcoming training opportunities, please contact Toni Roberts at troberts_avlf.org. Project enter the process after a victim has already filed a Petition for a TPO and has subsequently received an ex parte Order from a judge. Upon receiving their ex parte Order, victims are given a court date which will typically take place within 30 days of receipt of the ex parte Order.
Upon placement with a volunteer attorney, victims have already been assisted at the intake level in AVLF’s Safe Families Office, which is located in room 6G in the Fulton County Courthouse. There, victims received assistance with the preparation of their petitions and other forms, were advised on issues of safety planning, and also filled out a comprehensive intake questionnaire.
Volunteer attorneys receive a pre-screened case from AVLF that includes the Petition, the ex parte Order, and an Intake Questionnaire which provides background information on the case. Volunteer attorneys then make contact with their clients, prepare the cases, and represent the clients in court at the evidentiary hearings.
FOR LAW STUDENTS
In our Externship Program, second and third year law students provide assistance at our Safe Families Office. Third-year law students in good standing are also eligible to become authorized under Georgia’s Third-Year Practice Act to represent clients in court at evidentiary hearings. AVLF provides direct supervision to externs in court. In addition to actual litigation experience, externs have the opportunity to develop client interviewing skills and to observe court. We currently partner with Emory University School of Law, Georgia State University College of Law, and John Marshall Law School. However, applicants from other law schools are encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in being considered for our Externship Program, please send your resume and cover letter to Jenni Stolarski at
jstolarski_avlf.org
.
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
SATURDAY LAWYER
Saturday Lawyer Program
Be part of supporting a critical program that could not exist without your volunteer efforts. Gain valuable experience with a variety of legal issues and get the opportunity to litigate in a variety of judicial settings. Join your colleagues in making a meaningful difference in the lives of fellow Atlantans.
For forty years, the Saturday Lawyer Program, a collaborative effort between the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) and the Atlanta Legal Aid Society (ALAS), has provided low-income members of our community with access to volunteer attorneys, and volunteer attorneys with a chance to do meaningful pro bono work. Those opportunities continue, with improvements that enhance the experience for all involved.
As a volunteer attorney, you can now support the Saturday Lawyer Program in one or more ways:
Volunteer on Saturday morning to interview potential clients, assess their claims, and determine which cases you want to accept for full representation.
Accept Saturday Lawyer Program cases for full representation, including those for which you conducted the initial interview and assessment on Saturday morning.
Consult with AVLF Staff Attorneys and AVLF volunteer attorneys about issues in which you have particular expertise.
Typical Saturday Lawyer experiences include:
Securing unpaid wages.
Defending clients against debt lawsuits and garnishments where the client disputes the amount owed or abusive tactics have been employed.
Stopping harassment and unfair collection practices by debt collectors.
Negotiating with a landlord to secure habitable and safe housing or the return of a security deposit.
Resolving other landlord-tenant disputes, such as illegal evictions or damage to tenants’ property caused by landlords.
Based on the feedback of our volunteer attorneys, we have been working hard to improve the program.
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
Read more --->
SATURDAY LAWYER2
Saturday Lawyer Program
continued
Based on the feedback of our volunteer attorneys, we have been working hard to improve the program. This is how the program operates:
Each week, staff attorneys from AVLF and ALAS prescreen clients for financial and geographic eligibility and briefly review each case to ensure that the client has an appropriate legal problem. Eligible clients are subsequently scheduled for a Saturday morning appointment at ALAS’s downtown office. AVLF staff members and attorneys work diligently to strike a balance between the number of available volunteers and the number of clients needing assistance.
The week before the scheduled Saturday, volunteers receive succinct training materials on our process, primers on the areas of law involved, and legal questionnaires to help guide the interview. On Saturday, a short volunteer orientation and training is conducted, cases are presented by AVLF’s Staff Attorney, and volunteers are able to express a preference for which individuals they would like to interview. Each volunteer is then assigned to interview one to three individuals seeking legal representation. This initial meeting serves as an opportunity for the volunteer to conduct an in-depth personal interview with the potential client, to review relevant documents, and to assess whether she or he wants to accept the case. AVLF and ALAS staff attorneys are present each Saturday to serve as mentors and potential backup resources to the volunteers.
Instead of asking pro bono volunteers simply to show up on Saturday and receive cases, AVLF now asks volunteer Attorneys to partner with AVLF on Saturday in assessing cases and determining whether a case is a strong candidate for referral for full representation. Under this model, most Saturday volunteers make a connection with our participants and accept the cases they screen for full representation. If not, however, our volunteer’s input is now critical in determining what happens with the case and is itself a valuable contribution as AVLF determines, during the following week, what level of legal services the individual will receive.
If you volunteer on Saturday, you will now have the benefit of:
Succinct training materials sent beforehand covering our process, primers on the areas of law, and legal questionnaires to guide the interview.
A short orientation & training conducted by an AVLF Staff Attorney on Saturday morning.
Additional legal resource materials on common legal issues.
Access to an AVLF and ALAS Staff Attorney during the Saturday to assist you and answer any questions on our process or the law.
Support staff for copying and scanning of any client documents.
Laptops available for the completion of interview notes.
Coffee and donuts!
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
Learn More -->
SATURDAY LAWYER3
Saturday Lawyer Program
continued
If you accept a case under the new Saturday Lawyer Program,
AVLF will further support you with coverage by our malpractice carrier; (THE MALPRACTICE COVERAGE ALSO COVERS THE SATURDAY WORK) on-going access to our Staff Attorneys; access to our legal resources, research, and sample pleadings; and access to experts in the private bar should more complicated issues arise. We support you throughout the representation.
Low-income individuals are struggling now more than ever to maintain housing and financial security for their families. Please get involved in this program so that together we can support them during these challenging times: most Saturday Lawyer Program clients have no other chance of speaking with an attorney.
If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please contact Dionne Hines Morse (
dmorse_avlf.org
; 678.681.6005) or Michael Lucas (
mlucas_avlf.org
; 678.681.6003).
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN
Lawyers for Children
Virtually all of AVLF’s programs have the potential to help children in our community. Two AVLF programs train and appoint volunteers specifically for the direct benefit of children. AVLF has operated the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program in the Fulton County Family Division since 1990, through which AVLF volunteers serve as GAL for Fulton County children from low income households to assist the court in making custody and visitation determinations in the best interest of the child. AVLF has operated the One Child, One Lawyer Program in the Fulton County Juvenile Court since 2005, through which AVLF volunteers represent deprived children whose parents are struggling with substance addiction and whose deprivation cases are part of the Fulton Family Drug Court.
To Volunteer
In order to serve as an AVLF Guardian ad Litem or as a One Child, One Lawyer child attorney, volunteers must be a member of the State Bar of Georgia and must complete AVLF’s full day training program. AVLF’s training includes instruction on the developmental needs of children, recognition and assessment of a child’s best interests; relevant law and procedure, including the appropriate standard to be applied in the case; recognition of cultural and economic diversity in families and communities; family dynamics and dysfunction, domestic violence and substance abuse; methods of investigating a case; methods of obtaining relevant information concerning a child’s best interest; ethics and professionalism.
We typically hold trainings in October and March. To be placed on a list for notification of the next training, send an email to
adonalson_avlf.org
. We welcome the participation of paraprofessionals or other support staff if they are able to partner with an attorney as part of a team.
Learn more about our GAL and One Child/One Lawyer Programs by clicking here.
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
SATURDAY LAWYER AWARDS
Past Award Winners: In Recognition of Those Who Serve
The Saturday Lawyers Program Awards
are presented each year, at the Atlanta Bar Association's annual reception, AVLF honors its Saturday Lawyers for their commitment to the program. At the Annual Meeting of the Atlanta Bar Association, the following attorneys were honored for involvement with the Saturday Lawyers Program:
Fifteen years ago, the AVLF Saturday Lawyers volunteers interviewed and represented five to six clients per year. Although that number has been reduced over the past few years, recipients of the AVLF Twenty Year Award have represented sixty to seventy clients throughout their involvement in the program.
Recipients of our
Twenty (20) Year Award
:
2004 John C. Williams, Jr., John C. Williams & Associates
2003 William D. deGolian, Johnson & Ward
Recipients of our
Fifteen (15) Year Award:
2007 James Johnston Long, Long Y Holder, LLP
2006 Brendan McCarthy, Andre Blaustein
2004 Frank W. Virgin, P.C. and Frank Landgraff, GE Power Systems
2003 Peter V. Hasbrouk, Martenson, Hasbrouck & Simon and James R. Thompson, BellSouth Corporation
Recipients of our
Ten (10) Year Award:
2006 William James Holley, II, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP
2005 Nancy H. Baughan, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP
2004 William Brewster, Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
Recipients of our five
(5) year award
:
2007 Rebecca Williams, Troutman Sanders; Karen Fyultz, Cozen O'Connor; Andrew Flake, Arnall, Golden, Gregory
2006 Louann Bronstein, Seyfath Shaw
2005 Julie A. Wood, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP; Jeffrey M. Taylor
2004 David Stern, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP; Pendergrast, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP; Jonathon Fligg, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC
Learn about our volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
Training Opportunities
AWARDS HEINER AND DV
Past Award Winners: In Recognition of Those Who Serve
The S. Phillip Heiner Award
is AVLF's most prestigious award, and commemorates Phil Heiner, a partner at Long Aldridge & Norman who was distinguished for his commitment to pro bono work, and who died in the early 1980's. The award is given each year by AVLF's Board of Directors to the individual or firm who has made an extraordinary commitment to providing pro bono representation to low income clients in Atlanta, and who stands out as a leader in pro bono within the Atlanta legal community.
2009 Troutman Sanders
2008 Paul Hastings
2007 Arnall Golden Gregory
2006 Aimee Todd and Rebecca Sigmund, Powell
2005 Litigation Section, Atlanta Bar Association
2004 Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Domestic Violence "Breaking the Cycle" Award
Each year, AVLF honors an individual who has provided dedicated, consistent support for those who seek court-ordered protection from domestic violence.
2009 DLA Piper
2008 Kilpatrick Stockton and Sutherland
2004 James A. Gober, Arnall Golden & Gregory LLP
2003 Andrean Hill-Horton
The Domestic Violence "Family Law Volunteer" Award
2009 Kristy Seidenberg
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Bankruptcy Award
2004 Clark & Washington P.C.
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
WILLS ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
Wills and Advance Directives
AVLF’s Wills and Advance Directives Program is very popular among volunteers from a variety of practice areas and from firms large and small. Our training seminars and materials are excellent and provide a great foundation even for lawyers who have never drafted a will. The clients who follow through and execute a will through this program are among our most satisfied and grateful because the volunteers have provided them a discrete and valuable service that they would otherwise not have been able to afford.
At least twice a year – typically in October and March – AVLF holds a three-hour wills training available to anyone interested in assisting at least one pro bono client with a will. In addition, the materials for our training and a webcast of previous trainings are available at www.georgiaadvocates.org. If you are not an estate-planning attorney, you must attend one of our live trainings or certify that you have watched the on-line training.
Several times a year, AVLF partners with senior citizen centers, police and other emergency departments, and low-income housing communities to provide volunteer services on-site. These one-day events are very productive and quite fun for volunteers who are looking for opportunities to get out into the community and provide a direct service. Please be sure to check our website for announcements about such events so that you can get involved.
If you would like to handle a pro bono advance directive, please contact AVLF and let us know of your interest and your qualifications. We will contact you when we have a suitable client and ask if you are available at that time. If you are, we will send you a referral letter and the client’s completed questionnaire. It is then up to you and the client to arrange for your first meeting and how things will proceed from there. We are available to provide with support, including witnesses and notaries if need be.
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
-Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other resources:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
GAL OCOL
Past Award Winners: In Recognition of Those Who Serve
The Guardian ad Litem Award
AVLF created the Guardian ad Litem Program to represent the best interests of children whose parents are disputing custody in Fulton Superior Court. Since that time, over 850 families of children have been provided representation through the tireless efforts of AVLF's Guardians ad Litem.
The AVLF Board of Directors established an award to honor Guardians ad Litem who commit many hours towards representing the best interests of children whose parents are engaged in a custody dispute.
2009 Seyfarth Shaw
2008 Deborah Ebel, McKenna Long & Aldridge
2006 Carol Geiger, McKenna Long & Aldridge
2005 Charles Benjamin Garren, Jr. and Vicki Jones, Coca-Cola
2004 Mary Ann Oakley, Holland & Knight LLP
In 2004 AVLF recognized the following attorneys for their extraordinary work with the Guardian Ad Litem program:
Deborah Ebel
Edward H. Lindsey, Jr.
Sterling P. Eaves
Elyse Aussenberg
Carol R. Geiger
Susan A. Chiapetta
Jacqueline L. Payne
Deborah M. Lubin
Michelle B. Rappaport
The One Child One Lawyer, Volunteer of the Year
2009 Kathryn Wade
2008 Karyl Davis, Atlanta Legal Aid Society
2007 Marla Butler, Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi
2006 Natalie Whiteman, Alston & Bird
Learn about volunteer opportunities:
Volunteer Qualifications
Domestic Violence
Guardian ad Litem
One Child/One Lawyer
Saturday Lawyer
-Landlord-Tenant
-Unpaid Wages
-Consumer Debt
Eviction Defense
Wills and Advance Directives
Wills for Emergency Personnel
Probate Information Center
Other links of interest:
Past Volunteer Award Winners
-Saturday Lawyer Award
-Phillip Heiner Award
-Domestic Violence Award
-Guardian Ad Litem Award
-One Child One Lawyer
-Special Bankruptcy Award
Training Opportunities
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