…sidered those words a lot, and I agree. But I also believe that the arc of justice does not bend by itself. Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation gives us the chance to put our talents to the task of moving the arc, and our community, toward equal access to justice. I have been the proud Executive Director of AVLF for 17 years. Today, I write to you because we are responding to a watershed moment with excitement – and with a change. AVLF had a year…
…not be healed by random or scattershot good deeds. This is kindness with a justice agenda: intentional, targeted kindness, which makes people not only a little happier but also a little less despairing, less overwhelmed, less isolated. If you are a lawyer, kindness with a justice agenda looks like representing a low-income tenant in eviction court. It looks like your signature on a letter to her slum landlord, demanding that repairs finally get ma…
…o access and navigate the legal process. They may not be familiar with the justice system, have financial constraints, or fear future violence if the abuser becomes aware that the survivor has tried to take legal action. The Safe Families Offices helps survivors navigate the justice system so they can access the safety and stability they deserve. Our Impact In 2018 and 2019, 98% of survivors were awarded extended Protective Orders when represented…
…se who would otherwise be denied access to justice. For this commitment to justice, Ricardo is this year’s recipient of the 2105 AVLF Hero Award. AVLF DIFFERENCE MAKER AWARD: CRAIG BRAZEMAN, PROFILES INVESTIGATIONS As you all know, cases can’t move forward until service has been perfected. When AVLF needs to find someone who does not want to be found – or find someone who most people would not want to find or confront – we call Craig Brazeman. The…
…nding with Our Neighbors (SWON), our groundbreaking, school-based, housing justice initiative: Helped tenants avoid $37,238 more in debt claims than in 2022 Helped tenants avoid 59% more threatened or filed evictions than in 2022 Provided services to 439 household members vs 399 in 2022 (10% increase) Provided services to 122% more children in SWON schools than in 2022 Additionally, we know that housing instability related to intimate partner abus…
…than Anderson, Lawyers for Equal Justice Francis Dixson, Lawyers for Equal Justice Sarah Kelsey, Lawyers for Equal Justice Graham Hall, Attorney at Law Jamie Agnew, Attorney at Law Lakeesh Dent, Attorney at Law Courtney Smith, Attorney at Law Elaine Mundwiller, Attorney at Law Ichechi Alikor, Attorney at Law Janice Gooding, Attorney at Law Charles Thimmesch, Troutman Sanders Connie Yoon, Attorney at Law Monica Dean, Attorney at Law Janene Browder,…
…nd trauma-informed legal services that help low-income Atlantans reach the justice they deserve. Our goals are innovative and ambitious, and there is no better person to lead us there than Michael. This spring, we set out on a strategic planning process in which we mapped the next 5, 10, even 25 years of AVLF’s future. We spent countless hours determining the right goals and the right metrics to support us in our growth. Our goals are innovative a…
…d with others. Antonio introduced our Grad at Grad values and elaborated on the value Open to Growth. Monique introduced our company values and elaborated on the value Intellectually Competent. Angela introduced the value Loving and elaborated on the value Committed to Justice. I introduced the values Work Experienced and Committed to Justice. Overall, the presentation was great, and we received many compliments. At AVLF, I have learned the value…
…aw Ray Bettendorf, Lawyers for Equal Justice Doug Hendy, Lawyers for Equal Justice Esther Graff-Radford, Lawyers for Equal Justice Brett Janich, Greenberg Traurig Minerva Steele, Attorney at Law Paul Richtmyer, Attorney at Law Nancy C. Prager, Attorney at Law Matthew Block, Eversheds Sutherland Jason McCarter, Eversheds Sutherland Brittany Cambre, Eversheds Sutherland Laura Smithman, Eversheds Sutherland Marc Rawls, Eversheds Sutherland Brett Thur…
…reated safe and stable homes and families by inspiring the fight for equal justice. Through our programs, the top legal minds of the city give back to their community by volunteering to help low-income Atlantans achieve the safety and stability they deserve. In 2019, our Annual Campaign raised over $1,070,000. But in order to sustain the exponential growth of our programs and services, we set an ambitious fundraising goal this year of $1.5 million…
…2018 Equal Justice Works Leadership Development Training. Erik is an Equal Justice Works Georgia Housing Corps Fellow. At the training, Erik discussed the model of the Standing with Our Neighbors™ program, which embeds an attorney and a community advocate in local schools for easy access to legal services for families in crisis. Staff Attorney Crystal Redd, who is also an Equal Justice Works Georgia Housing Corps Fellow, attended the training as w…
…Project. When you work closely with students, it’s apparent that access to justice can completely transform a child’s life. That’s why we’re working in Atlanta schools to bring safety and stability to families in the neighborhood. Our intimate partner abuse team is providing resources through our new mobile advocacy project. Our housing staff are fighting illegal evictions in the neighborhood and providing emergency assistance to families in crisi…
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