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, benefiting 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 is appreciates the support of its sponsors, including Nelson Mullins. Interested in being a sponsor? Please contact Laura Myler, lmyler@atlantalegalaid.org.

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. 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 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.