Domestic Violence Project’s Volunteer of the Year
celebrating service
job. The dispossessory (eviction) process in Georgia is
among the fastest in the country. By the time AVLF or ALAS
calls Jason with a case to refer, there is typically less than
a week before the case is to be heard in court. Jason, a
busy commercial litigator in his own right, never fails to find
a volunteer or to volunteer himself (if humanly possible!).
Some of these cases present complex legal and social
issues that require creativity, empathy, excellent negotiation
skills and confidence – attributes Jason has demonstrated
time and again.
About a year ago, AVLF contacted Jason about an especially
challenging case. The client was elderly, disabled and had
limited English speaking skills. She had no social support
system and very few resources. She had been accused
of threatening another tenant, and her landlord sought her
eviction as a result. After several trips to the courthouse, a
legal brief on a novel question, multiple conversations with
opposing counsel and a handful of social workers, and many
discussions with the client possible only through the help of
a pro bono interpreter, Jason secured an outcome for the
client that allowed her to remain safely in a unit away from
the person with whom she had had difficulty. With all of
the barriers faced by this vulnerable woman, there was no
way she could have achieved this end without the patient,
persistent and effective advocacy of Jason Edgecombe.
in memoriam
In the year since Kevin Linder began volunteering with
AVLF's Domestic Violence Project, he has represented
victims of violence in an unheard-of twelve protective order
cases! Kevin can be called on at the last moment, and does
not bat an eye at complicated fact patterns or difficult clients.
His mild demeanor belies the zealous advocacy Kevin brings
to each case he takes on. In his brief time as a volunteer
with AVLF, he has left a wake of safe and satisfied clients,
and for that, we are all truly grateful.
Kevin is a graduate of Princeton University and Washington
University School of Law. He spent a total of six years at
Barnes & Linder in Decatur, taking a hiatus to act as the
Deputy Director of Wassu Gambia Kafo in The Gambia. Most
recently, Kevin has embarked on a solo general practice,
but still finds the time to travel and of course, volunteer with
the Domestic Violence Project. For all his work with AVLF
and his commitment to social justice, we are thrilled to name
Kevin Linder the Dome