The Atlanta Lawyer April 2016 | Page 6

(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