Thanks to these law firms who have committed to Standing with Our Neighbors:

  Ayanna Jones-Lightsy Staff Attorney, Standing with Our Neighbors Program Ayanna focuses on housing issues in the Thomasville Heights neighborhood of Atlanta. She obtained her B.A. in history from Clark Atlanta University, then worked in the field of education for the next four years. She attended Emory Law School and upon graduating worked for Georgia […]

1. A housing lawyer can make a real difference in improving a child’s school attendance and performance.

Jennifer Shelfer, an Arnall Golden Gregory associate, met Ms. Valiway on a recent Saturday morning at AVLF’s weekly legal clinic. Ms. Valiway explained that she, her five young children, and her elderly mother rented a house that had fallen into disrepair. The sink, bathtub, and toilet were so clogged that Ms. Valiway had to scoop water out and throw it outside. The HVAC was broken, and the house was sweltering. The appliances were barely operable, and most windows were nailed shut. There were holes in the bathroom walls. Roaches had the run of the house and even got inside the ancient refrigerator. The exterminator refused to come back after the landlord did not pay him.

This year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month kept AVLF’s Safe & Stable Families Team incredibly busy, as they partnered and collaborated with various community organizations to educate the public on the dangers of domestic violence and how to assist survivors.

On October 20, AVLF honored the following award winners at the Atlanta Bar Association’s Celebrating Service Luncheon:

Safe Families Office Firm of the Year: Jones Day; Safe Families Office Volunteer of the Year: Richard G. Farnsworth, Farnsworth Law, LLC; Guardian ad Litem of the Year: Brandy Alexander, The Alexander Firm, LLC; Safe and Stable Homes Firm of the Year: PwC; Safe and Stable Homes Volunteer of the Year: John H. Rains IV of Bondurant, Mixson and Elmore 

Again this year, AVLF at the Movies offered the community an intimate, unflinching portrait of the challenges faced by those who are marginalized. Nearly 150 friends of AVLF gathered at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema on Tuesday, September 20, for a screening of Private Violence, which tells a story of violence, frustration, and sadness that also includes resilience, promise, and even hope for victims of intimate partner violence who choose to stand up against their abuser (www.privateviolence.com).

Quick snapshot: Rachel Fox Weitz. Received a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a JD from Emory University School of Law. In between, worked in Washington, DC on presidential campaigns, as a political media consultant (made TV and radio ads for campaigns) and as a public affairs consultant. Worked in the […]

Ms. A, who spoke very little English, visited the Safe Families Office in the Fulton County Courthouse after being beaten all over her body, day after day, by her husband. The beatings often occurred in front of her four children and were sometimes directed at them.

Check out photos from the Fifth Annual Guardian ad Litem Benefit at Warner Bates on August 18, 2016. Thanks to Beth Intro Photography for making us look so good!

20—Number of people abused by a partner in the U.S. each minute. 20,000—Daily average number of calls received by domestic violence hotlines. $8.3 billion—Estimated annual cost of domestic violence in the U.S. 35 percent—Estimated number of domestic violence cases reported.

Quick snapshot: Jim McGinnis. I graduated from Auburn in 1979 and Mercer Law School in 1982. My first job was as an Assistant D.A. in Cordele, Georgia, working for Gary Christy. I did my first jury trial within a month of starting work. I wound up in Atlanta practicing exclusively in the area of family […]