The Georgia Child Abuse Registry: What is it and how is it changing?

When

Wednesday, August 14, 2019 from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM EDT
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Where

GJAC Conference Center Room C
75 Langley Drive
2nd Floor Conference Center
Conference Room C
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Driving Directions

Contact

Rachel Lazarus
Gwinnett Pro Bono Project
6785144818
rmlazarus@atlantalegalaid.org

The Georgia legislature recently passed significant changes to Georgia’s Child Abuse Registry statute (O.C.G.A 49-5-182). Come learn about how the Registry works, the changes to the statute and advocacy tips for representing clients in OSAH hearings challenging their inclusion on the registry.

Wednesday August 14, 2019

11:45 AM to 1:15 PM
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UPCOMING CLEs

9/11 Social Media Ethics w Paula Federick

10/9 Trauma Informed Interviewing with Dr. Melanie Bliss

11/13 Using the Law Library with Grace Holloway

12/11 Cross Examination techniques (Teacher TBD)

CLE is FREE to current Gwinnett Pro Bono attorneys (currently have a case or have closed within the last 6 months)!

Membership forms will be available at the training if you have not already signed up.

Did you know that in Gwinnett County, we have eight Legal Aid attorneys for more than 110,000 people living below the poverty level. That's a ratio of 1 attorney for every 13,750 people. SO WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP.

The Gwinnett Pro Bono Project would love to have you as a volunteer attorney! Our Project works in partnership with the Georgia State Bar, Gwinnett County Bar Association and numerous volunteer attorneys, to serve the legal needs of our Gwinnett county's low-income citizens. Jointly, the local bar, State Bar, and our Project will recognize and reward you for your participation. To sign up, please go to gwinnettprobono.atlantalegalaid.org

We have a number of different opportunities for pro bono practice. The first is direct representation of clients. If you want to take on direct cases, then periodically, our coordinator will e-mail you a referral to accept a pro bono case. Prior to e-mailing the referral, she will have interviewed the client and screened for income-eligibility. Our Project requires that a client's household income must be 175% or less of the Federal Poverty Level. This comes out to be about $41,738 per year for a family of four.

The client's case is also screened. Our goal is to refer cases to our volunteer attorneys that are not time-intensive, i.e., we would not invite a volunteer attorney to accept a divorce case with contested custody. Because the Project prescreens the cases, you know that when you accept a case invitation, you can be sure the client and case are worthy of your pro bono representation. In addition, each client is supplied a list of tips (Do's and Don'ts for Pro Bono Clients) to prepare the client to have a good attorney/client relationship.

The other way to get involved is through one of our clinics-- a consumer law clinic, where people who have been sued in State or magistrate Courts on debts or other consumer issues can come in for help answering or preparing for a hearing; the other is a general civil clinic, where people who have questions about their court cases and their rights and obligations can have a brief consult with an attorney. We are also looking for attorneys for our probate clinic, which meets the 1st and 3^rd Thursday or each month. The clinics allow you to sign up for a specific time period, and have more control over the amount of time you spend doing Pro Bono work.

Regardless of how you choose to volunteer, we can provide training, mentoring, and assistance. If you choose to represent a client, you are welcome to use our conference room or volunteer office space to meet with the client. I can also attend court with you, if you like. Additionally, you can attend our monthly CLE programs for FREE if you have an active case (or recently closed one) or sign up for 3 or more clinic spots (if you volunteer at any level you get the courses for a reduced price). The CLEs cover a range of topics, and each provides one (1) hour. Lunch is included. Volunteers are also recognized in the bar newsletter, the Annual Report, and can receive further recognition from the State Bar of Georgia.

Please let me know you can help! My office number is (678) 514-4818. I look forward to working with you.

To join, simply click here .