discussion inspired and my desire to practice as an in-house attorney affirmed .
From that moment until now , the Atlanta Bar has provided professional development and networking opportunities that are both rewarding and have a positive impact on my legal career . From offering CLEs to coordinating volunteer opportunities and networking events with other members of the profession , the Atlanta Bar Association continues to renew my passion for practicing law . The Atlanta Bar also helped me to maintain a sense of community and connection during the last two years when most of us had to adjust to a new normal .
As I work each day to accomplish Visa ’ s mission to “ uplift everyone , everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid ,” I am grateful for the Atlanta Bar ’ s impact on my decision to practice as an in-house attorney and its contribution toward my future success .
SHANNA PASLEY Visa shannapasley @ gmail . com
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My name is Serene Hawasli Kashlan and I was born and raised in Atlanta , Georgia . I am a staff attorney at the Georgia Asylum Immigration Network ( GAIN ), where I currently head the asylum program . GAIN is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal services to survivors of crime and persecution in Georgia .
I graduated from Georgia State University , College of Law in 2010 , and am licensed in both Michigan and Georgia . In Michigan , I established my own practice ( HK Law ,
PLLC ) and practiced in the areas of immigration law , estate planning , family law , and contracts . After moving back to Atlanta in 2018 , I was admitted to the Georgia Bar and joined GAIN as a staff attorney in May 2019 .
I joined the Public Interest Committee with Sarah Babcock ( Truancy Intervention Project of Georgia ) in 2020 . It was wonderful getting to know the other committee members and the impactful work they did in the Atlanta community . I joined the committee during the pandemic , so our meetings took place virtually , where we were constantly brainstorming ways to engage the Atlanta legal community in public interest related topics . A main focus during my time on the committee was on social justice and we teamed up with the Bar to air " Good Trouble ," a documentary on the late Congressman and Civil Rights activist John Lewis .
Other impactful experiences with the Atlanta Bar that helped me grow is my annual participation in the Pro Bono March Madness ( PBMM ) training , where I speak on asylum law related topics . My participation in PBMM helped me connect and build relationships with other attorneys and organizations in Atlanta . It also helped improve my communication and public speaking skills . I used to be shy to speak up , so being involved in legal committees and legal trainings has helped me grow and gain confidence , as well as communicate more effectively .
Each year , we try to think of new and creative ways to engage potential pro bono attorneys and provide meaningful training experiences for attorneys to feel comfortable and ready to take on an asylum case through GAIN . There is a dire need for more pro bono attorneys , and holding this annual training and advertising it to the Atlanta legal community has been helpful .
Due to the large increase in defensive asylum cases , this year , we focused on representing asylum seekers in court where we invited two Atlanta based immigration judges , Judge Randall Duncan and Judge John M . Gillies , for a question and answer session . I have also teamed up with other immigration attorneys in the Atlanta legal community , such as Lynn Pearson and Eddie Lopez Lugo , to provide expertise on asylum related topics .
“ The Atlanta Bar Association has provided professional development and networking opportunities that are both rewarding and have a positive impact on my legal career . ”
The annual participation in the March Madness training taught me how to be creative during a pandemic , how to best collaborate with others from other organizations or firms , and how to better connect with and engage the pro bono Atlanta legal community . These experiences have been invaluable .
SERENE HAWASLI KASHLAN Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network skashlan @ georgiaasylum . org
www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 15