Letter from the Executive Director

20 Years of Impact: The Next Chapter

This year, Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta celebrates 20 years of strengthening our community by providing free legal services to Georgia’s nonprofits. Since 2005, PBPA has empowered thousands of organizations, helping them navigate legal complexities so they can focus on their missions, while connecting thousands of legal volunteers with meaningful pro bono work.  

As we mark this milestone, we also face a surge in demand for our services. Changes in federal funding, policy and regulations have created fresh challenges for nonprofits. Organizations are seeking more guidance to ensure they can keep their doors open, continue serving their communities, and remain legally compliant.  

To meet this growing need, PBPA is launching “20 Years of Impact: The Next Chapter,” a special giving campaign to expand our capacity and provide essential legal support to our community nonprofits. Every dollar raised directly funds the legal expertise that helps these organizations navigate complex legal challenges.  

Your support is crucial. Whether you’ve been part of PBPA’s journey from the beginning or are just learning about our work, your gift will ensure that nonprofits have the legal resources they need to thrive.  Join us in celebrating 20 years of impact – and in building the foundation for the next 20. 

With gratitude, 

Rachel Spears
Executive Director

PS – Don't miss the chance to double your impact! A few generous board members and their families will match every donation from new or renewing Happy Perkins Society members (annual donors of $1,000+) up to $25,000.  

20th Anniversary Annual Reception

We had a great time celebrating our 2024 donors and volunteers at our annual Appreciation Reception!

We were delighted to honor Marianna Faircloth (The Home Depot), Richard Maddox (Cox Enterprises), Angie Woo (Asbury Automotive Group). Angela Vadala (DLA Piper), Marquetta Bryan (Nelson Mullins) and Alex Drummond (Seyfarth Shaw) with Volunteer of the Year awards.

Olivia Weber (Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner) was awarded our Rising Star award and Jim Jordan (Eversheds Sutherland) was awarded with our Pro Bono Pro award.

PBPA also recognized Chick-fil-A as our Legal Department of the Year and Kilpatrick Townsend as our Law Firm of the Year. Alston & Bird and The Home Depot took home our 2024 Legal Check-Up Challenge Cup.

Eversheds Sutherland was recognized for their contributions to PBPA over the last twenty years with our first-ever Legacy Award.

We also celebrated the exceptional volunteers who have taken over 20 matters in our 20 years of service. Those names can be viewed here.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and thank you to our awardees for your incredible service to PBPA and our nonprofit community. To see all of our photos from the event the button below!

Shoutouts to our Volunteers

Thank you to the more than 332 volunteers who have signed up for a pro bono project in 2025! We could not do this work without you. Click here for a list of individuals who have volunteered so far this year.

From: Planned Pethood
To: Alexandra Holland (Fragomen)
Your help and patience was amazing and greatly appreciated. I learned a TON from our discussions. Thank you so very much for your time and advice.

From: Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation
To: Faith Myers (McKesson)
Thank you so much for your assistance regarding patient forms and HIPAA requirements. It is a great relief to know that the work we are doing is within legal parameters. Thank you so much for your time and assistance in this matter!

From: Atlanta CASA
To: Kaushal Amin (Cox Enterprises)
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the work you have done in support of Atlanta CASA and the leadership that has guided the organization to where it is today. You have played a valuable role in ensuring that children in foster care receive the advocacy and support they deserve. I recognize the time dedication and expertise that go into this work and want to acknowledge the positive impact it has on the children families and volunteers we serve.

Donor Spotlight

PBPA would like to thank our newest supporter: Georgia Power. With their $100,000 contribution to our mission, they have helped fund vital programming that promotes and supports the nonprofit community of Greater Atlanta. Georgia Power lawyers have also donated over 400 volunteer hours to PBPA. Their critical funding and support helps PBPA fulfill our mission of providing legal assistance to hundreds of nonprofits every year. Thank you, Georgia Power!

Client Profile:
Students Without Mothers

Students Without Mothers is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta that is dedicated to helping high school students without mothers by empowering them to continue their education. Since becoming a Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta client, Students Without Mothers has received the support of volunteer attorneys on almost 20 legal matters, including drafting an employee handbook, revising articles and bylaws, and reviewing a lease. Mary Torrence Williams, founder and executive director of Students Without Mothers, stated that “Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta has been an invaluable resource for Students Without Mothers.”

According to Mary, Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta provided Students Without Mothers “with a thorough legal check-up to identify our needs and then provided us with top-notch volunteer attorneys who expertly addressed each matter.” She added that Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta’s support “has strengthened our operations and ensured we remain in compliance, allowing us to focus on our mission of empowering students” and that “we are truly grateful for their expertise and generosity!”
 

New Clients

Path to Shine, Inc.
Anchor of Hope Foundation, Inc.
Alcovy CASA, Inc.
People Living in Recovery, Inc.
Karibu Community Legacy, Inc.