(1966), and will focus on the procedural protections afforded relevant this month, as we have just elected from our members
by the Constitution, the role of the Courts and the importance those who will continue our longstanding tradition of leadership
of adherence to the principles which serve as the very foun- through service. We have recently elected the next generadation of our cherished democracy. I am so pleased that the tion of leaders of our bar association and I could not be more
program this year, which will take place on April 28th at the proud of the quality of the slate of candidates and of those who
Fulton County Government Center, will include the “Know Your were elected to lead us next year. The talented and diverse
Rights—School Outreach” component of our Equal Justice group of lawyers who will lead us next year will undoubtedly
in Law Enforcement (“EJLE”) Initiative. Atlanta Bar member serve us well and further the mission and programs of the bar.
Melody Richardson serves as our
Law Day Chair this year and is also
Leadership Award
a co-chair of the School Outreach
Luncheon
This month we paid tribute
component of our EJLE Initiative.
Through our Annual Leadership
Since the inception of the EJLE Inito two distinguished leaders, Award Luncheon, which began
tiative, Atlanta Bar volunteers have
in the 1980s, this month we paid
who have inspired us by their
met with well over 2,000 local high
tribute to two distinguished leadschool students in both classroom
example, challenged us by ers, who have inspired us by their
and assembly settings to help stuexample, challenged us by their
dents learn more about their Fourth
their deeds, and reminded us
deeds, and reminded us all of our
Amendment Constitutional Rights
all of our debt to our profes- debt to our profession and our comand strategies designed to help
munity. I selected them because of
prevent the escalation of conflict in
sion
and
our
community.
their longstanding sustained comencounters with law enforcement.
mitment to service to the profesThe program provides Atlanta Bar
sion and the community. Richard
members with meaningful volunteer
Deane, a distinguished leader of our profession who has
opportunities with minimal time commitments, so that volunteers
demonstrated a profound commitment to public service (as
are able to easily tailor their volunteer experience. If you are
a former federal judge, the former United States Attorney for
interested in serving by volunteering, please contact the bar
the Northern District of Georgia, and a past president of the
or go to atlantabar.site-ym.com/?page=EJLE. Volunteering
National Association of Former US Attorneys) and Marty Ellin, a
through EJLE Initiative is just one of the benefits of Atlanta
distinguished leader who has demonstrated, through his longBar membership. As you may be aware, next month we will
standing passionate service as Executive Director of the Atlanta
begin our 13 months for the price of 12 promotion. Our assoVolunteer Lawyer’s Foundation (“AVLF”), a profound commitciation offers so many professional development, networking,
ment to serving at-risk, low income individuals and providing
career building, timely and relevant programming, and comequal access to civil justice by engaging volunteer lawyers
munity service opportunities. You, our members, are the true
throughout our city are our 2016 recipients. Both honorees, with
ambassadors of our association and I ask that you speak with
great humility, gave stirring accounts of what motivated them to
your friends and colleagues about the meaningful work of our
serve the profession and the less fortunate. The inspiring one
association and the many &V