Client Profiles

Our clients often come to us needing help with a specific item, and soon we are assisting them with other matters. However, our work has never had us rub elbows with members of the British royal family working to help save rhinos in South Africa – until recently.

Global Conservation Corps (GCC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to conserving wildlife through education and bridging the gap between low-income communities and conservation. GCC works in areas with growing youth populations and vulnerable wildlife populations to create a path toward sustainable economies. While it is based in South Africa, its U.S. headquarters is in McDonough, Ga.

GCC gives students real-world experiences with wildlife through its Future Rangers Program and conservation app to create a lasting love and connection for their natural world. It also works with local leaders and stakeholders to develop sustainable industries, job opportunities, and economic growth that benefit the community and reduce the need to turn to poaching or other methods for financial stability.

GCC became a PBPA client in Fall 2020 when they asked for help drafting a distribution deal for a documentary about efforts to protect rhinos in South Africa. That work morphed into 15 legal matters. PBPA also conducted a Legal Check Up for GCC which led to 26 additional matters, including five involved in creating and rolling out the app.

“There are countless matters that have been professionally managed and resolved by the PBPA team,” said Justin Walker, GCC Chief Operating Officer – Treasurer. “Standing out the most is the incredible work on our RHINO MAN documentary. The complexity on an international scale has proven the true experience, knowledge, and capability the PBPA team brings to the table. PBPA’s guidance and counsel has led GCC to secure audiences, support, and participation in the film in ways we never thought possible – even private screenings and overall project support from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales of the United Kingdom.”

Rubbing Elbows with British Royalty

The documentary legal work is what led GCC to invite Robyn Miller, Senior Tax/Corporate Counsel for PBPA, and PBPA board member and volunteer attorney Rick McMurtry, Senior Vice President, Warner Brothers Discovery, to attend an exclusive private screening of RHINO MAN in London in mid-June. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Edinburgh attended the premiere.

There are just 27,000 rhinos in the world today, mostly in South Africa. Poachers want their horns which can sell for up to $200,000 on the black market. A lack of work opportunities in parts of South Africa has created conditions that enable crime syndicates to coerce desperate people into poaching rhinos for profit. At the current poaching rate, rhinos in the wild could become extinct in the next two decades. RHINO MAN is a feature-length documentary about ranger Anton Mzimba and courageous field rangers who risk their lives every day to protect rhinos from being poached to extinction.

Anton was a friend, mentor, and technical advisor to GCC and believed the way forward in conservation was to focus on youth. GCC has embraced his guidance, expertise, and fervor, now reaching 40,000+ students through its Future Rangers program. Anton’s vision was to take the story of rangers’ efforts to others, but he was murdered outside his home in front of his family in July 2022.

GCC wants to have RHINO MAN shown at film festivals this year to obtain an extensive distribution deal for the movie, increase awareness of the powerful story, and share more widely how people can aid wildlife conservation. When that happens, PBPA will help with distribution and licensing matters.

Rolling in the Credits

The movie’s credits include PBPA’s Miller and McMurtry. Miller structured a tax subsidiary and joint venture for GCC to allow it to have investors for the documentary. McMurtry created all the intellectual property-related legal agreements for it. The credits also list PBPA volunteer attorney Stephen Opler, Partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, who created the GCC tax subsidiary and joint venture.

Miller has worked for PBPA for 15 years helping nonprofits with tax-exempt issues. “It was amazing to attend the premiere and see tangible results of work we have done. It was fascinating to hear stories about protecting rhinos and the work by rangers throughout Africa and the world and see how the movie can shine a light on conservation efforts.”

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She shared this about McMurtry’s help with GCC. “Rick’s Intellectual Property expertise has been incredibly valuable to GCC since the beginning. For this documentary, he jumped right in to help with the copyright issues and contracts, even as more complex issues have arisen around creating and distributing it. He has continuously and generously given his time and talents to help make it a huge success.”

McMurtry has volunteered with PBPA since 2006, advising clients on trademark and copyright registration and infringement issues. “I am very proud of the work I was able to do for GCC as it helps educate others about these issues and highlight these ranger heroes. It was exciting to receive an invitation from the Prince and Princess of Wales and attend the premiere with Prince William. But, more than the film itself, I was surprised and delighted to hear from some of the rangers about their experiences, as well as the photographers and artists whose work is featured in the film and promotional materials. As lawyers, we don’t always get to see how our work impacts the final product, much less the potential impact that work will have on the lives of those featured in RHINO MAN and their fellow rangers.” 

He loves getting to know PBPA clients. “I’ve had the opportunity to work on pro bono matters that have expanded my professional experience, given me an opportunity to work with new colleagues (and in turn give them new and challenging issues), and helped me build relationships across the Atlanta legal community. As an in-house lawyer for a company not based in Atlanta, I have benefited greatly from working with PBPA and serving on the Board to learn more about our community and build those relationships. At the end of the day, doing pro bono work is just the right thing to do, and I’m grateful to PBPA for all they do to facilitate it.”  

Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS) was founded in 1983 by two families seeking support for themselves and their children with rare genetic illnesses. Over the last 40 years, FOCUS has provided support and resources to over 4,500 Georgia families of children with physical and/or developmental disabilities.

FOCUS’s programs center around creating community at each stage of a child’s life and development. This can include everything from hospital support and an equipment grant program to educational resources, programs for teens and young adults, and respite programs. Children at FOCUS are able to participate in an adapted summer day camp held in seven locations around metro Atlanta and an adapted swim team, in addition to other programs all specifically designed for children with disabilities to fully participate in and enjoy.

FOCUS knows it is important for the whole family to be supported. They plan events and meetups allowing parents to meet other parents and siblings to meet other siblings. Whether it is a trip to the aquarium, the zoo, or a local park, FOCUS’s clients are able to find community with each other. As FOCUS celebrates its 40^th anniversary in 2023, they are excited to be able to continue connecting families across Georgia.

PBPA has been able to support FOCUS with over 30 legal matters since 2016. Volunteer attorneys stepped in to assist when FOCUS merged with another nonprofit organization in 2017 and established the equipment grant program. PBPA volunteer attorneys have also assisted with policy preparation and review, risk management, and PPP loan advice. Executive Director (and FOCUS parent) Frances McBrayer states, “It’s amazing that a resource like PBPA exists. As we celebrate our 40^th anniversary as an organization, we recognize that the professional legal support we have received and continue to receive through PBPA ensures that FOCUS will make an impact on children with disabilities and their families well into the future.”  

Some of the PBPA volunteer attorneys who have worked with FOCUS include: Anu Seam (AT&T); Benjamin Fink (Berman Fink Van Horn); Aaron Lapniewski (Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner); Meredith Burris (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta); Heather Howdeshell Morlock, Adam Humphreys, and Andrea Clark (Delta Air Lines); Kevin Hembree (Georgia Pacific); Matt Kirk (Holland & Knight); Rich Cicchillo, William Sparkman, Farah Cook, and Rolando Rengifo (Kilpatrick Townsend); Joe Englert (McGuireWoods); Tate Gray (Morris, Manning & Martin); Will Ledbetter (Southern Company); Gail Gunnells (The Coca-Cola Company); and Richard Litwin (The Litwin Law Firm).

Planned to A.T. founders Tiffany Pearson-Kilgore and Ashley Rutland were teaching their elementary and high school classes when they realized a need for financial literacy education, especially for their students who dreamed of becoming professional athletes in order to pursue a better way of life. Acting to close this gap in their students’ education, the cousin duo created an interactive curriculum to teach student-athletes how to manage their finances and have their dream futures “planned to a tee.”

Since the inception, this program has expanded past just student-athletes to include underrepresented students in colleges and universities. The goal is to increase the students’ financial literacy and expose them to job opportunities that align with the skills the students are learning through Planned to A.T.’s curriculum. As the organization’s name symbolizes, Planned to A.T. hopes to “achieve transformation” for their students for years to come.

Now working full-time for Planned to A.T., Tiffany and Ashley run two types of interactive workshops. The main workshop series is a semester long and consists of one session a month. The pair has also run another, shorter option with all the sessions packed into a customizable program fit for different organizational needs.

Perhaps the best part of this program is the price – it is offered to underrepresented groups of students for free. Planned to A.T. works hard to secure corporate sponsorships from companies like Ikea and the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation. This is done so students do not have to pay for programming and can earn credit toward university-mandated financial literacy education . The sponsors can also provide incentives for the students to reach their program goals by offering prizes like concert or sports game tickets. In return, these corporations earn goodwill and facetime with diverse job candidates who are becoming fluent in the technical and interpersonal skills the corporations are seeking.

Planned to A.T. is growing fast and has plans to run their program in at least five schools this coming year. With the NCAA’s recent changes in name/image/likeness rules, which expanded a student-athlete’s ability to secure personal sponsorships, this program has come at just the right time for student-athletes to learn how to manage these large financial gains and publicity.

Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta was excited to welcome Planned to A.T. to their client roster this summer. Attorneys have already begun working with the organization and are eager to watch their progress.

Some of the PBPA volunteer attorneys who have worked with Planned to A.T. include: Bennett Gillogly (Kilpatrick Townsend); Andrea Demick and Laura Huffman (King & Spalding); Joe Freeman (retired); Ivor Longo (The Coca-Cola Company) and Chris Lang and Matt Kristufek (UPS).

The Frazer Center was founded in 1949 as a school for children with cerebral palsy, and currently serves kids and adults with a wide range of delays, disabilities, and differences, as well as typically developing children. Today, inclusion is still at the core of the Frazer Center’s mission, but its delivery has evolved. 

While the Frazer Center has only been a client of Pro Bono Partnership since 2019, it has utilized PBPA’s workshops, webcasts, and online resources for many years. According to Chief Executive Officer Paige McKay Kubik, the Frazer Center especially benefitted from PBPA’s guidance during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic:. “The Frazer Center is so grateful to have such incredible resources to call on to provide guidance on ongoing and emerging questions and to flag issues we weren’t aware of. Very few organizations have a legal counsel on staff, so it has been great to have an organization so familiar with the issues faced by nonprofits.” 

The Frazer Center offers support for a variety of ages and needs, including an early childhood education program that serves children aged six weeks to five years old. The program provides early education, school readiness, and childcare for working families. Approximately 20-30% of the children in the program have a developmental delay or disability. The inclusive setting provides challenges, motivation, and role modeling for the children with delays or disabilities and teaches the typically developing children that while everyone is different, everyone belongs.  

For older adults with intellectual disabilities, the Frazer Center provides support with the skills they need to be active decision-makers and advocates for themselves. The Frazer Center partners with local organizations and businesses to provide tailored support for each individual’s goals including job search assistance. 

During much of the pandemic, the Frazer Center continued providing services, including childcare for essential workers, virtual services, and small-group outdoor programming. Additionally, to combat staffing shortages, the center started an internship program for refugee women in partnership with PBPA client Refugee Women’s Network. The women spend 16 weeks as paid interns shadowing lead teachers, improving language and communication skills, and receiving training in child development. Upon completion of the internship, the women may accept full-time positions with the Frazer Center. 

Some of the PBPA volunteer attorneys who have worked with the Frazer Center include: Christine Kim (Ballard Spahr); Adrienne Wimberly, Thomas Ryan, Abigail Castleberry and Samantha Smith Lewis (Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP); Charlie Morgan and Andrea Galvez (Alston & Bird LLP); Devaan Bernard (The Home Depot); Karyn Heavenrich (Equifax); Elaine Tapp (Alston & Bird LLP); Justin Victor (Greenberg Traurig) and Scott Cahalan, (Smith Gambrell & Russell, LLP). 

SheWill Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Norcross, provides programming and mentorship to girls regarding financial literacy and career empowerment. Through partnering with local schools, churches, and public organizations, SheWill educates young women (ages 8-17) on planning for a brighter, financially secure tomorrow with lecture-based materials, activities, events, and field trips.   

SheWill is a long-time Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta client, receiving assistance on a variety of legal matters that have helped the organization’s outreach programs to expand. Sheena Williams, SheWill’s Founder and President, noted that PBPA volunteers not only advised her on matters she requested help with but also on contractual issues that most nonprofits are not aware of without proper legal advice. ”We would not be in total compliance or be able to provide these opportunities without the help of the volunteers and staff at Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta. They have helped us tremendously and we are very appreciative.”   

SheWill has expanded to help girls throughout the country in states including Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, and Nevada. The organization builds skills like financial literacy, career preparation, and informed decision-making with activities including entrepreneurship classes, journaling, shopping simulations to understand consumer behaviors, stress management practices, and post-graduate preparation seminars. Despite the impact of the pandemic and challenges to hosting face-to-face financial literacy lessons, SheWill has shown resilience and is working to implement a new hybrid model to allow for continued expansion and assistance for youth nationwide, providing more interactive activities.  
 

PBPA volunteer attorneys who have assisted SheWill include Olivia Hunter (Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner), James Johnson (Eversheds Sutherland), Petra Stewart (Independent), Leah Farmer (Kilpatrick Townsend), and Jake Carroll (Nelson Mullins). 

Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG) is a local nonprofit organization that passionately works with local farmers and community partners to provide Georgians in need with access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown food. Founded in 2009, WWG’s mission is to fight nutrition insecurity by facilitating access to and awareness of healthy food choices.

One way WWG furthers its mission is through its Georgia SNAP Connection program. The Georgia SNAP Connection provides a myriad of benefits, including free assistance with food stamps, Medicaid, and child care and family services. Additional programs include Georgia Fresh For Less which matches, dollar for dollar, SNAP dollars spent at participating local farmers markets; Georgia Food for Health, which partners with local healthcare providers to give Georgians creative food prescriptions; and Georgia Plant 2 Plate, which provides households on SNAP a huge discount on local fruit and vegetable plants. Through WWG’s compassion, hard work, and partnership with 77 committed community partners, the organization has been able to serve 37 communities, 47 cities, and over 1,100 households.

Many exciting things have happened for WWG over the last two years, despite the pandemic’s significant impact on the country, and various PBPA volunteer attorneys have assisted WWG along the way. Will Sellers, WWG’s Executive Director, stated that “The relationship we have with PBPA has given us access to some amazing attorneys that there’s no way we could afford on a small budget. The quality of representation, the level of advice we are recipients of, I know you can price it, but we can’t. I can’t imagine WWG dealing with some of the issues we have faced during the pandemic and after without the solid advice and counsel we received from the volunteer attorneys within the PBPA.” He added, “What gets us excited about PBPA and its volunteer attorneys is that the attorneys are accessible and they’re incredibly vested. It’s been an honor to work with them and be in partnership with the PBPA.”

WWG has been a PBPA client for seven years. During that time, volunteer attorneys have assisted WWG with a number of matters. Some of those volunteer attorneys include Vivian Chew and Joel Bradley (Eversheds Sutherland), Kelsie Willett (Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP), Theresa Clark (Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP), Douglas Duerr (Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP), Richard Rosenblatt (Jones Day), Thomas Spillman (Smith, Gambrell, & Russell LLP), Jennifer Schumacher (Kilpatrick Townsend), and Emily Borna (Jackson Lewis).

Livramento Delgado Boxing Foundation (LDBF) is a nonprofit organization focused on helping those affected by movement challenges. Established in 2013 by Larry and Ellie Kahn with the assistance of Paul Delgado, LDBF developed a vigorous, non-contact boxing exercise program specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease. Research has shown vigorous exercise helps slow the progression of the disease and lessen the severity of symptoms, improving balance, cognitive function, and prolonging independence.  Paul ran the program for many years until his retirement.

Denise Formisano, the current chairman of LDBF, is passionate about the work she does as she understands first-hand the challenges those with Parkinson’s face. After being diagnosed with both Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis, she immediately enrolled in the boxing program which has had numerous benefits on her health. The organization has greatly expanded its offerings and outreach, going from eight classes a week to thirty-five. In addition, the organization now offers services for those with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, as well as programs serving veterans.

Many exciting things have happened for the organization over the last year despite the pandemic and PBPA volunteer attorneys have assisted along the way. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, LDBF began offering virtual classes which have expanded the organization’s outreach. This spring, LDBF opened the new, state-of-the-art Walter and Estelle Strauss Wellness Center.  The organization is now able to offer more services including physical therapy, massage therapy, neurology, nutrition counseling and workshops as part of their continuum of care model.

PBPA volunteer attorney Steve Kennedy (Seyfarth Shaw) helped negotiate the lease for the new facility offering legal guidance as they took on this large endeavor.  Denise adds, “Steve is always a phone call away. He has worked on several matters and really the reason we are here today.”

LDBF has been a PBPA client for three years. In that time, volunteer attorneys have assisted the organization with twenty matters. Other attorney volunteers include Ami Rodrigues (Chipotle), Mike Pavento (Kilpatrick Townsend), Stan Shapiro, Ben Russell, Michelle Marchiony (Invacare Corporation), Bob Stupar (Kilpatrick Townsend), Creighton Frommer (RELX Group), Gabby Fulton (Troutman Pepper), Richard Tulis (Morris, Manning & Martin), Gail Gunnells (E Gail Gunnells PC), Dusty Otwell (Dusty Otwell), and Rebecca Kennedy (Goodwin Procter).

Young girls face an overwhelming number of societal challenges around self-esteem, confidence, and building healthy relationships. Girls on the Run of Atlanta believes every girl is inherently full of power and potential. Social-emotional learning is the cornerstone of their research-based lessons for girls ages 8 – 14. Whether in-person or virtually, trained volunteer coaches lead girls of all abilities through research-based lessons which creatively integrate movement and strengthen their emotional and social health. According to Lea Rolfes, Girls on the Run of Atlanta’s Executive Director, the programs are non-competitive, encouraging body movement and mind-body connection.Girls on the Run of Atlanta is an independent 501c3, part of the international organization of Girls on the Run. Primarily serving metro-Atlanta area counties including Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett and DeKalb counties, Girls on the Run of Atlanta can be found in over 150 schools, after-school programs and working with community partners like the YMCA. In addition to after-school programming, the organization also offers spring break and summer camps. All programming is offered on a sliding fee scale with a third of girls participating at no cost at all. Girls on the Run of Atlanta ensures these participants start the program with a running bra, shoes, and snacks.

Due to the pandemic, Girls on the Run of Atlanta has shifted many of their programs to a virtual format. Lea Rolfes states the organization’s primary concern is to deliver safe online programs but she adds, “This is not your average Zoom. We are up running, having a dance party and encouraging movement.” Whether virtual or in person, the organization aims to offer programming that is intentional and impactful.

Girls on the Run of Atlanta has been a Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta client for over ten years and has worked with several volunteer attorneys on matters including employee handbooks, policies and procedures, and risk management related matters. Some of the volunteer attorneys who have worked with Girls on the Run Atlanta include: Matthew Clarke (Smith, Gambrell, & Russell LLP), Gail Gunnells (E. Gail Gunnells PC), Kara Ong (Truist), Paul Libretta (Credigy), Mike Pavento (Kilpatrick Townsend), Alison Prout (Bondurant Mixson and Elmore) and Stephanie Aferiat (Home Depot).

Lea adds, ” We have benefited greatly from PBPA over the years! It is so reassuring for a small organization like ours to have this resource. Amazing volunteer attorneys have helped us with projects big and small, and our team frequently uses the website and online training events to ensure we\’re keeping our staff, volunteers, and more importantly the girls we serve, safe and supported. “