Our Impact
Humans of Legal Aid
Behind every case is a person. These are the neighbors, advocates, and landmark cases that show what access to justice looks like.
Client stories
31 stories
A "Full Circle" Story
New attorney Erick Vargas joined our Gwinnett office during a challenging year, providing critical legal services and support to clients in need.
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A Lawyer May Be the Best Way to Stop Domestic Violence
Many do not seek help for domestic violence, thinking it’s not a legal issue. Atlanta Legal Aid shows how the law can protect victims effectively.
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A Moving Experience in Court
About a month ago, one of our volunteer lawyers had a moving experience in court. Our client, Ms. Winter, gave beautiful, tearful testimony about the needs
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Advocating for Students with Special Education Needs
This is what being a Legal Aid lawyer looks like these days. Since many of us are on week three of self-isolation and working from home, we’ve become quite
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Atlanta Legal Aid Secures Community Supports for Family
This is Tykeem and his mother. Years ago, Tykeem's mother came to Atlanta Legal Aid seeking help. Her son is autistic, non-verbal, and low-functioning, and
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Celebrating Black History Month Michelle Jordan Dedication
For Black History Month, we honor our diverse staff, including Michelle Jordan, highlighting her dedication as Managing Attorney at Atlanta Legal Aid.
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Children Can Recover After Witnessing Home Violence
Programs at Atlanta Legal Aid help children recover from home violence with legal, educational, and emotional support to ensure safety and stability.
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What is a civil case?
In the U.S., people aren’t guaranteed a lawyer in civil cases. Atlanta Legal Aid provides guidance to ensure clients can protect their rights effectively.
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Domestic Violence Can Be Prevented
Learn effective strategies and legal resources to prevent domestic violence, empowering survivors and promoting safety within families and communities.
Read storyFrom One Caregiver to Another How We Got Through
Dana A.H called Legal Aid after a two-decade fight for her grandson’s wellbeing. Legal Aid helped navigate the complex legal challenges she faced.
Read storyGeorgians with Disabilities Settle Lawsuit for Access
Learn how Georgians with disabilities gained meaningful access to food stamps and Medicaid through a landmark lawsuit supported by Atlanta Legal Aid.
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10 Steps to Get Legal Protection Against Abusers
Get guidance from Atlanta Legal Aid on legal protection from abuse, including restraining orders, safety planning, and advocacy to safeguard survivors.
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Increasing Number of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
According to the 2014 U.S. census, 2.7 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren (up 7% since 2009). A fifth of those grandparents have incomes
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Helping a Mourning Mother
One of our clients, Mr. Foster*, passed away a few weeks ago amidst the pandemic. He was a sweet man who had been the caregiver to his nephew, who suffers
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Home is a Safety Net for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Leaving an abusive situation is very hard for mothers in poverty. Legal Aid offers guidance, advocacy, and protection for women and their children.
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Kinship Care Attorney Secures Adoption & Stable Homes
Just as the city of Atlanta was issuing stay-at-home orders, Kinship Care Attorney Currey Hitchens was working to get a few adoptions and guardianships in
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Legal Services Are Vital for Family Stability
Children need legal guardians for support when parents are absent. Atlanta Legal Aid ensures kids get the legal services and protection they require.
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Lawyer May Be the Best Way to Stop Domestic Violence
See how Atlanta Legal Aid lawyers help stop domestic violence by providing legal support, advocacy, and protection for survivors and their families.
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We Protect Women & Children from Domestic Violence
Atlanta Legal Aid’s initiatives protect women from violence by offering legal guidance, advocacy, and support services to ensure safety and empowerment.
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Reassuring Call Gives Peace of Mind to Sick Client
Attorney Yazmin Sobh received a call from a client with stage four lung cancer. Legal Aid provided guidance, support, and peace of mind during this crisis.
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How Relative Adoptions Help Children
According to the report by Generations United, “for every child in foster care, 20 are being raised by a family member”1. This reportedly saves taxpayers
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When Relative Caregivers Step In to Fill the Gap
Ms. Williams became a caregiver for two children unexpectedly. Legal Aid guided her through legal responsibilities and protections as a relative caregiver.
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Safe Housing for Two Sisters in Need
Harriet called the Senior Legal Hotline to add her mentally incapacitated sister to her Section 8 lease. Legal Aid guided her through the process.
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Saving Homes During the Pandemic
Sarah Kelsey of the Home Defense Program helps clients with homeownership, focusing on preventing foreclosure and keeping families safely in their homes.
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School Success for a Disabled Child
Atlanta Legal Aid attorney Currey Hitchens advocates for students and families in education law, ensuring school success for children with disabilities.
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Standing with Survivors
As COVID-19 began shutting everything down in metro-Atlanta, one thing was very clear to our Cobb staff: we must continue to help survivors of domestic
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Stellar Teamwork Helps Clients Find Stability in Crisis
Despite court closures, attorneys Nilu, Courtney, Lori, and Michelle used teleconferences to provide stability and critical legal help to their clients.
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The Resilience of a Domestic Violence Survivor
Today we want to tell you a story of resilience. K came to us after experiencing domestic violence in her relationship. And although she had been told that
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The Turner Family
Atlanta Legal Aid staff guided the Turner family with care, ensuring they felt supported, comfortable, and very safe during stressful legal matters.
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Volunteer Attorney Secures Excellent Outcome for Senior
Recently a senior citizen contacted Legal Aid after she moved out of her townhome and completed her move out inspection. Even though the apartment was in
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We Can Help Stop Domestic Violence
Domestic violence affects all communities. Atlanta Legal Aid offers legal guidance and support to help prevent violence and protect victims effectively.
Read storyAdvocate spotlights
13 profiles
A Fresh Perspective Rita Sheffey’s Early Months as Director
Advocate Interview MK Talks LGBTQ Healthcare & Law
Advocate Spotlight: Jacki Payne
Advocate Spotlight: Mara Block
Advocate Spotlight: Nadine Lang
Advocate Spotlight: Nilufar Abdi-Tabari
Interview with a Legal Aid Lawyer
Interview with Brooke Silverthorn
Interview with Currey Education Work During COVID-19
Interview with Jack Disability Education During COVID-19
Meet Vanessa Where Passion Meets Purpose in Legal Aid
Spotlight on an Advocate for Domestic Violence Survivors
Volunteer Spotlight: Nick Going
Landmark cases
A century of impact
1981: Marielitos
During the latter half of the 1980s, more than 125,000 refugees fled to U.S. shores through Cuba’s port of Mariel. For months, the “freedom flotilla” boats
1999: Olmstead Decision
The Olmstead lawsuit started with two women from Georgia named Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson who both had diagnoses of mental health conditions and
2001: Stewart Finance
In 2001, Elsie Williams, a low-income senior, sought help from Atlanta Legal Aid after taking a small loan, receiving essential legal guidance and support.
2012 Strickland Case and Garnishment Statutes Explained
Mr. Strickland was a gas appliance installer by trade. After a bout with cancer and a drop in his income, he defaulted on the balance owed on a credit card
2013: Bankruptcy Trifecta
For over a decade, Joanne Dempsey had been chipping away at her student loan. But in 2004, misfortune struck. Joanne lost her well-paying job (the first of
2018 Harbour Portfolio
Harbour Portfolio bought hundreds of foreclosed homes in Atlanta and nationwide, and Atlanta Legal Aid assisted affected homeowners with legal guidance.
Georgia Advocates Work to Combat Home Purchase Scams
Learn how Atlanta Legal Aid’s work to combat home purchase scams was featured on PBS, highlighting our efforts to protect homeowners from fraud and abuse.
Olmstead 20th Anniversary Advocacy Helps Disabilities
Celebrate Olmstead’s 20 years of advocacy, highlighting continued efforts to improve access and opportunities for people with disabilities across Georgia.
The People of Herring Road
When we invited Ms. Juanita Winfield to participate in our Humans of Legal Aid project, it wasn’t long before we had a whole crew of subjects to interview:
Using Bankruptcy as a Tool
After attending a consumer law conference, Atlanta Legal Aid attorney Cari Hipp became interested in student loan work. She started to notice that many