Letter from the Executive Director

As we approach the end of 2023, I want to take a moment to highlight why Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta is so vital.  

Why Do We Need Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta? Of the 300+ nonprofit organizations PBPA serves each year, the majority have budgets under $500K. The average hourly rate for PBPA’s volunteer attorneys is over $500, and it can take 5 to 15 hours to resolve a single legal matter—that's over $5000 worth of time. The high cost of legal services puts them out of reach for most local nonprofits, leaving them with potential legal liabilities that undermine their ability to move their missions forward.  

PBPA steps in to provide nonprofits across Greater Atlanta with the same high-level legal support as top-tier corporations, providing over $4 million in free legal services to the nonprofit community each year. In turn, PBPA clients serve millions of residents, providing services for refugees, veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities, and those experiencing food insecurity, among many others.  

If you have benefited from PBPA’s work, either as a volunteer, client, podcast listener, or webcast attendee, or you simply value the work that we do for Atlanta’s nonprofit community, please make a financial contribution to support our work in 2024 and beyond. PBPA’s Board of Directors is matching every donation up to $35,000. Also, an incredible donor is matching all new and reengaged members of our Happy Perkins Society (gifts at or above $1000) up to $20,000. Every gift of any amount helps PBPA continue supporting our invaluable nonprofit community.  

Rachel Spears
Executive Director
Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta 

New Staff Welcome

We'd like to welcome our new staff member, Eadaoin Waller. In addition to acting as staff attorney for a number of our nonprofit clients, Eadaoin has taken over the task of matching volunteer attorneys with legal matters, so many of you have already exchanged emails with her. Eadaoin grew up in Ireland and attended law school (for the first time) at Queen’s University, Belfast, later retraining in the U.S. at the University of Georgia School of Law. Eadaoin feels privileged to return to nonprofit work at PBPA and says that assisting such deserving clients in a pro bono capacity, and with the support of such talented volunteers, is the icing on the cake.  Eadaoin lives in Athens with her family: George, a professor at UGA, and their four amazing children.

Newest Board Member Welcome

We'd like to welcome our newest board member, Jennifer Hightower. Jennifer attended Vanderbilt as an undergrad and Emory School of Law. She then came to Cox Communications as a transactions attorney after realizing she wanted a change of subject from her previous position. She now serves as the Chief Legal Officer at Cox Enterprises. Her team members (both lawyers and non-lawyers) have taken on PBPA projects, bringing them together as a legal community. Currently she resides in Atlanta with her 3 boys, her non-lawyer spouse, and her dog, Chloe.

Shoutouts to our Volunteers

Thank you to the 750 volunteers who have signed up for a pro bono project in 2023! We could not do this work without you.

Click here for a list of individuals who have volunteered so far this year.

From: ACE Loans
To: Matt McGrath, Southern Company
Thank you for your help on this project!  You were super responsive and a pleasure to work with.  You were an important part of an amazing $6 million unrestricted grant for ACE! I hope we can work together again.

From: Professional Family Child Care Alliance of Georgia 
To: Corey J. Goerdt, Fisher Phillips
Thank you so much for your support. Everyone was very engaged and the feedback I received was no more than gratefulness. It made me think deeper on my decision-making process. Additionally, it reassured me that there are nuances, and I will keep trying to inquisitively look for the whole picture. PFCCAG really appreciates all the support we are receiving from you!

From: HopeWorks
To: Andrew Teal, Jones Day
I wanted to personally thank you for helping HopeWorks concerning compliance with the Georgia Sunshine Laws. I would also like to point out the great job Andrew Teal and his team did researching, writing up and explaining to me how these laws affect our organization. Providing free legal help to small nonprofits such as HopeWorks that keep us safe and strong. 

Client Profile: Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Shortly after becoming a client of Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta in 2015, the Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing participated in a PBPA Nonprofit Legal Check Up. A team of attorneys from The Coca-Cola Company and King & Spalding met with Center staff and board members to help identify potential legal issues, such as the need for liability releases, employee policies and a trademark registration. PBPA then matched the Center with additional volunteer attorneys who helped address each of the nine identified legal matters over the course of the next year. Click here to read more about Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

New Pro Bono Partnership Of Atlanta Clients

Trees Atlanta, Inc.

Girls on the Run South Georgia

Rutledge Center, Inc.

Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia, Inc.

Noor Family Services Corporation

Covenant House Georgia, Inc.

Drawchange, Inc.