One commonality between those of us toiling away at the billable hour or for corporate clients and those who are representing those less fortunate is that we are all , every one of us , in a service profession . This particular profession is not the straightest path to tons and tons of money . You might do well , sure , but this is a profession from which the most treasure comes from believing in what you are doing and the assistance you offer your clients .
Another commonality is that , as lawyers , we all have a duty to serve . Everyone can serve in their own way . Some lawyers will answer the call to serve full time in a public interest role . Some will answer the call to serve through a clinic offered at their law firm . Some will answer the call by agreeing to take cases through one of the many amazing pro bono programs in our state . There is truly a place for all lawyers in public service .
I ’ m hoping you ’ ve read this far because I am submitting a challenge to you . The challenge is this : if you are a member of the private bar or corporate counsel , I challenge you to reach out to and learn more about the public interest lawyers in your community . To get you started , I ’ m listing our amazing board members below . Please get to know them ! Find out about the work they do . If you are a younger lawyer , let these public interest lawyers be a mentor for service . If you are more experienced lawyer , be a mentor and help them spread the word about their critical work . If you are a public interest lawyer , make a private bar or corporate counsel friend at the next bar event . Ask them about the pro bono and community service work that they have enjoyed . And take a tiny page from the private bar playbook – market yourself ! Even if you plan to spend your whole career in public service , it is good for you as a lawyer and for the people you serve to make your colleagues in the private bar aware of your work and mission .
Finally , please join the section ! We love having members who do all types of work , from public interest to corporate to law firms to everything in between . Come join us November 29th at Atlanta Legal Aid ’ s historic 54 Ellis Street offices for the 2023 Rita Sheffey Public Interest Award Luncheon , honoring Robyn Miller of the Pro Bono Partnership . Then join us at the American Constitution Society ’ s Holiday Party , for Pro Bono Frenzy in March , and many more great events .
Among the many goals and purposes of the Public Interest Law Section are to create leadership and involvement opportunities for public interest lawyers and to get our other members involved with public service . There is so much work to be done . Let ’ s do it together .
Our 2023-2024 Board : Chair : Sarah Cipperly , Sipperly Law LLC Chair-Elect : Hon . Kimberly Charles , Atlanta Legal Aid Secretary : Darlene McLean , Alston & Bird Treasurer : Elizabeth Main , Georgia Legal Services Program Immediate Past Chair : Ayanna Jones-Lightsy , Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation Members At Large : Alpa Amin , Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network Audrey Bergeson , Bergeson Family Law , LLC Erin Donahue-Koehler , Georgia Justice Project Danielle Simpson , Truancy Intervention Project
39 October / November 2023