The Atlanta Lawyer August / September 2018 | Página 32

SECTION UPDATE REAL ESTATE “What am I getting for my money?” We ask this question in a variety of contexts on a daily basis. Restaurants, cars, houses, schools, et. For the Real Estate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association, let me tell you what you’re getting for your bar dues. Social: Fun, exciting events! On 9/18/2018, our sec- tion sponsored tickets to attend a game at SunTrust Park to watch the first-place Braves play the St. Louis Cardinals. We even treated for refreshments and hot dogs and other goodies. Young attorneys, more mature attorneys, big firm attorneys, small firm attorneys---all socializing on a hot night at the ballpark and having a great time. Last year, we went to an Atlanta United game, Top Golf, and Painted Pin. If you have an idea for a social event, let the section know, and we will see what we can do. We are looking for first-rate activities that our members will enjoy. Education: Knowledgeable, dynamic speakers! Last month, Bill Dodson, the Dean of Real Estate Law in Georgia, spoke at our breakfast meeting. Amanda Calloway, an electric speaker, will speak in October. For a future event, how interesting would you be in knowing the status about e-notary proposals in Georgia or even what states that allow webcam nota- rization and how does it even work? What if a panel of the three of the top real estate lawyers in Georgia talked about this topic: the 9 Biggest Mistakes You as a Real Estate Attorney Might Be Making? Would you feel like you were getting your money’s worth? Charitable: Donations for worthy causes! Our sec- tion has already donated this year to Atlanta Vol- unteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) and Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta (PBPA). Why would a real estate lawyer care about that? AVLF has two programs that directly involve real estate-related matters. First, Standing with Our Neighbors program   https://avlf.org/programs/ standing-with-our-neighbors/ and the Saturday Lawyers Program   https://avlf.org/programs/ saturday-lawyer-program/ each directly address landlord-tenant issues more than 750 times each year. When a tenant faces a problem with a landlord because of that landlord’s failure/refusal to make the repair required by law, or does not return a se- curity deposit in accord with the law, the volunteer attorneys AVLF has trained will represent the client through negotiation, mediation and, when neces- sary, through litigation. Second, AVLF supports and supervises the Fulton County Answer Clinic, https:// fultoncoanswerclinic.wordpress.com/, offering legal direction and information to tenants aggrieved by a landlord’s failure to honor the existing lease. PBPA works to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for transactional attorneys to do pro bono work by matching them with nonprofits in need of free legal assistance. In 13 years, PBPA has provided pro bono opportunities to more than 3,000 attor- neys, including many real estate lawyers. On aver- age, PBPA matches real estate attorneys with 50 pro bono projects every year.  Each pro bono matter that PBPA matches with a volunteer attorney requires over $500 worth of staff time.  Recently, PBPA hired a new part-time attorney, Sireesha Ghanta, who is a real estate attorney.  We also helped deliver Thanksgiving meals to fami- lies last year and intend to do so again. We also are considering a Trees Atlanta outing for our section. So you see, your money is not going to waste. We can and will do more and want your input as how to put your money to good use. If there is an event, please come and see what your fellow real estate lawyers are doing and are talking about. If the events above are any indication, you will have a blast and get something out of your hard-earned bar dues. Joseph Farrell O’Kelley & Sorohan, Attorneys at Law, LLC [email protected] The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER 32