Quick snapshot: Thornell Williams, Jr., BA from Morehouse College and JD with honors from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins. In addition, I have been married for 17 years to the love of my life, my wife Jacqueline. We have two children together: my son Stone (15) and my daughter Samantha (8). I am a sports junkie and played nearly everything available growing up. Nowadays, however, I’m mostly limited to golf.
How did you get involved with Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation? Maggie Hanrahan, my predecessor on the Board, asked me whether I was interested in getting involved. I told her, “Absolutely!”
Give us your best elevator pitch – what does AVLF mean to you? Honestly, I have not given much thought to developing an elevator pitch. But I suppose I would describe AVLF as vital to metro-Atlanta because of its role in ensuring underserved families and individuals have access to quality legal representation, particularly in areas such as housing and domestic relations, which are touchstones for evaluating the health of a community. It’s important and worthwhile work.
What are you most looking forward to as the newest Board member? Learning (i.e. getting my legs under me) so I can really begin to promote AVLF and encourage others to get involved.
What are you proudest of professionally? I don’t know that I have a single proudest moment or accomplishment, but I am pleased that I have been successful and able to spend my entire career with one law firm. While it says a lot about my firm, I think it also is a sign of personal success.
And personally? I do not obsess over awards, honors, or recognition, so I am proud because I believe my dad would be pleased with the man I have become: a successful husband, father, and attorney who loves God and cares for people.
Is there anything else you want our readers to know? Just that I am grateful for the opportunity to join the AVLF Board, and I look to working with Marty and his staff to continue this important work.
