Celebrating
S E RVICE
Luncheon and Pro Bono Awards
The ninth annual Celebrating Service
and Awards Luncheon was held on
October 21, 2016 at the Commerce Club
of Atlanta.
The program recognized representatives
from various pro bono and service organizations in the community and also
honored individuals who have made a
significant impact in the community
through their volunteer contributions.
The luncheon featured keynote speaker
Travis Tygart of the U.S. Anti-Doping
Association (USADA) who gave an entertaining talk on the role of truth and
fairness in preserving the integrity of
competition in sport.
The Atlanta Bar bestowed awards to the
following deserving individuals:
2016 Pro Bono Service Award: Mary
T. Benton (Alston & Bird LLP) for her
twenty years of commitment and service
to the Truancy Intervention Project (TIP);
8
October 2016
2016 Public Service Award: Elaine
McGruder (Fulton County Public Defender/State and Magistrate Courts) for significant contributions to advance the fair
administration of justice in our community and foster professionalism and
ethics in the political, legislative or judicial process;
2016 Rita A. Sheffey Award: Michael
Lucas (Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation) for demonstration of his commitment to the public interest by pursuing
legal justice for impoverished, underserved or marginalized clients;
2016 Community Service Award:
The Atlanta Bar Association Bankruptcy
Section for its collaborative work with
legal aid organizations, as well as local
law schools, in pro bono service to those
in the bankruptcy system who may not
have the support they need.