The Atlanta Lawyer October/November 2019 | Page 39

SECTION UPDATES
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW
The Public Interest Law Section (PILS) section is dedicated to
furthering the practice and perception of law, with a focus on
public interest law. As such, PILS regularly hosts educational
programs, outreach and networking initiatives, and community
service opportunities. We welcome all lawyers with an interest in
equal access to justice for impoverished people.
In September, PILS co-sponsored the Atlanta Bar Foundation’s
Legal Runaround 5K Walk/Run & Tot Trot, benefitting the Atlanta
Bar Foundation Police Scholarship Fund, as well as the End of
Summer Band Party, benefiting the Atlanta Bar Foundation Grants
Program.
To close out 2019, PILS is currently involved in a jam-packed
slate of events. We enjoyed our time at the Celebrating Service
Awards and Luncheon hosted by the Atlanta Bar Association on
November 6. Celebrating Service recognized attorneys committed
to service, and PILS announced the winner of the Rita A. Sheffey
Public Interest Award as Lindsey Siegel (Atlanta Legal Aid
Society). On November 11, PILS and the Judicial Law Section
hosted a luncheon to discuss Secondary Trauma. Panelists Stacey
Dougan (Stacey Dougan Counseling & Consulting), Lynn Garson
(BakerHostetler), and Bradley Jones (BakerHostetler) shared tips
to incorporate into your wellness practice during the lunch &
learn at RiRa in Midtown. To round out the month, PILS is also
hosting a dinner with Rick Ruffalo (Georgia Legal Services), more
information to follow.
On December 3, PILS will present a Nonprofit Summit at
Atlanta Legal Aid for nonprofit legal service providers of Atlanta.
Participants will be able to highlight organization priorities for the
coming year and discuss best practices for case referral protocols
and effective client services.
PILS Members at the Legal Run-Around
L-R: Laura Myler (Atlanta Legal Aid Society), Alexander King
(Troutman Sanders LLP), Sarah White (Atlanta Legal Aid Society),
and Cari Hipp (Atlanta Legal Aid Society)
classification of employees, leasing of office space or contracts with
service providers. Our clients include the Helping Mamas, Meals
on Wheel of Atlanta and Georgia Organics. Through a network of
pro bono attorneys, PBPA provides transactional legal services to
these nonprofits, so the nonprofit can in turn focus their limited
resources on serving their community.
PILS is appreciates the support of its sponsors, including Nelson
Mullins. Interested in being a sponsor? Please contact Laura
Myler, [e-mail].
Most of the PILS events are open to the legal community; however,
section members enjoy discounted or free admission to many
events. Please consider joining our section today or sponsoring
one of our events! For more information about our section, visit
the Public Interest Law Section page at atlantabar.org.
SIREESHA GHANTA
Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta
[e-mail]
The Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta (“PBPA”) advances public
interest law in Atlanta by partnering community-based nonprofits
with in-house and law firm attorneys. PBPA’s nonprofit clients
have similar concerns as any small business would, such as proper
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