Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc

Atlanta, GA · Founded 1924

Provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents in metropolitan Atlanta

Primary audience
Low-income individuals
Work area
Legal services
Topic
Civil legal aid
Contact
Rita Sheffey
Website Contact

About Organization

Atlanta Legal Aid Society provides civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, helping them meet basic needs and removing barriers to justice. Based in Atlanta, GA, the organization operates with 184 employees and 500 volunteers, managing an annual budget of $15.6 million. Founded in 1924, it has nearly a century of experience serving the community.

What They Focus On

Access to Justice

Removes legal barriers preventing low-income individuals from accessing courts and resolving civil legal problems affecting their basic needs.

Elder Law Services

Provides specialized legal assistance to elderly citizens facing issues with housing, healthcare, benefits, and protection from exploitation.

Civil Legal Assistance

Delivers comprehensive legal representation across multiple civil practice areas including housing, family law, consumer rights, and public benefits.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$15.6M

-0.5% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$15.9M

+11.5% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$19.0M

+8.1% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

184

-3.2% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $15,596,750 $15,864,358 $19,003,089 184
2023 $15,673,819 $14,224,873 $17,572,442 190
2022 $14,314,283 $13,855,570 $14,138,373 148
2020 $12,832,203 $12,587,452 $15,784,737 166
2019 $12,481,311 $12,453,864 $13,159,994 160
2018 $11,924,233 $11,905,343 $13,199,534 165

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Client Intake

    Low-income and elderly residents contact Atlanta Legal Aid to request free civil legal assistance for their cases.

  • 02

    Case Assessment

    Staff attorneys and advocates evaluate each case to determine eligibility and identify the most effective legal strategies.

  • 03

    Legal Representation

    Attorneys provide direct representation, advice, and advocacy to help clients resolve legal issues affecting their basic needs.

  • 04

    Barrier Removal

    Through successful legal outcomes, the organization removes barriers to justice and helps clients achieve stability and security.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc

Legal Services for Elderly

Provides civil legal assistance to elderly citizens in metropolitan Atlanta facing legal challenges related to housing, benefits, and healthcare.

Indigent Legal Representation

Offers free legal services to low-income individuals and families addressing issues that affect their basic needs and access to justice.

Civil Legal Aid

Delivers comprehensive civil legal assistance across multiple practice areas to help clients resolve legal problems affecting their stability.

Fellowship Program

Supports legal fellows and advocates through education, development, and fellowship opportunities to expand access to justice.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc.

RS

Rita Sheffey

Executive Director
Full-time
Compensation: $194,891
CB

Charles Bliss

Director Of Advocacy
Full-time
Compensation: $148,639
EL

Elaine Landry

Director Of Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $116,867
CR

Cristiane R Wolfe

Vice President
2 hrs/week
LA

Luke A Lantta

President
4 hrs/week
YH

Yendelela Holston

Immediate Past President
2 hrs/week
JP

Jacqueline Payne

Managing Attorney
Full-time
Compensation: $156,488
DC

Donald Coleman

Managing Attorney
Full-time
Compensation: $151,480
SK

Steve Krumm

Managing Attorney
Full-time
Compensation: $143,649
AJ

Andrew J Tuck

Director
AC

Annie Cook

Director
AF

Annisa Floyd

Director
BC

Barbara Carrington

Director
CA

Chad Allan Shultz

Director
CM

Christine M Arrington

Director
CG

Craig Goodmark

Director
ES

Elisa Smith Kodish

Director
GW

G Wayne Hillis Jr

Director
JB

Jacqueline Boatwright-Daus

Director
JI

Jacqueline Isaac

Director
JW

Jennifer Whitton

Director
JF

John Fleming

Director/Executive Committ
JP

John Patterson Brumbaugh

Director
JS

Julie S Elgar

Director
KH

Kathryn Hecker

Director/Executive Committ
KP

Katrina Patterson

Director
LW

Laura Wagner

Director/Executive Committ
MT

Michael T Nations

Director
RW

Raniece White

Director
RH

Risa Hill

Director
RT

Robert Taylor

Director/Executive Committ
TT

Talis Travino

Director
TC

Teresa Coleman

Director/Executive Committ
VL

Virgina Leslie

Director
WR

Willie Ray

Director

Milestones

1924

Organization Founded

1924

Atlanta Legal Aid Society established to provide legal services to those unable to afford representation.

1942

Federal Tax Exemption

1942

Received IRS tax-exempt status recognition, enabling expanded fundraising and operations for legal aid services.

2020

Reached $12.8M Budget

2020

Achieved significant operational scale with 166 employees and $12.8 million budget serving metropolitan Atlanta residents.

2024

Century of Service

2024

Celebrating 100 years of providing free civil legal services with 184 employees and 500 volunteers.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AJ
Andrew J Tuck Director 0.50 hrs/week
AC
Annie Cook Director 0.50 hrs/week
AF
Annisa Floyd Director 0.50 hrs/week
BC
Barbara Carrington Director 0.50 hrs/week
CA
Chad Allan Shultz Director 0.50 hrs/week
CM
Christine M Arrington Director 0.50 hrs/week
CG
Craig Goodmark Director 0.50 hrs/week
ES
Elisa Smith Kodish Director 0.50 hrs/week
GW
G Wayne Hillis Jr Director 0.50 hrs/week
JB
Jacqueline Boatwright-Daus Director 0.50 hrs/week
JI
Jacqueline Isaac Director 0.50 hrs/week
JW
Jennifer Whitton Director 0.50 hrs/week
JF
John Fleming Director/Executive Committ 1.50 hrs/week
JP
John Patterson Brumbaugh Director 0.50 hrs/week
JS
Julie S Elgar Director 0.50 hrs/week
KG
Kacy Goebel Treasurer 1.50 hrs/week
KH
Kathryn Hecker Director/Executive Committ 1.50 hrs/week
KP
Katrina Patterson Director 0.50 hrs/week
LW
Laura Wagner Director/Executive Committ 1.50 hrs/week
MT
Michael T Nations Director 0.50 hrs/week
PS
Parker Sanders Secretary 1.50 hrs/week
RW
Raniece White Director 0.50 hrs/week
RH
Risa Hill Director 0.50 hrs/week
RT
Robert Taylor Director/Executive Committ 1.50 hrs/week
TT
Talis Travino Director 0.50 hrs/week
TC
Teresa Coleman Director/Executive Committ 1.50 hrs/week
VL
Virgina Leslie Director 0.50 hrs/week
WR
Willie Ray Director 0.50 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.0M

Highest Paid

$212K

Rita Sheffey

Compensated Officers

6

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Rita Sheffey Executive Director $194,891 $17,234 $212,125 37.5
Jacqueline Payne Managing Attorney $156,488 $16,212 $172,700 37.5
Donald Coleman Managing Attorney $151,480 $15,496 $166,976 37.5
Charles Bliss Director Of Advocacy $148,639 $15,513 $164,152 37.5
Steve Krumm Managing Attorney $143,649 $15,391 $159,040 37.5
Elaine Landry Director Of Finance $116,867 $20,520 $137,387 37.5

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$1.6M

Total Forgiven

$1.6M

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

136

Loan Details 1 loan

$1,616,415
Forgiven
Forgiven: $1,626,653 100%
Approved Apr 16, 2020
Lender Cadence Bank
Jobs Reported 136
Forgiven On Dec 21, 2020

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$5.2M Grants Received
$426K Grants Given
9 Organizations

Top Funders

7 total
LS
Legal Services Corporation
$5.0M
EJ
Equal Justice Works
$63K
TT
The Tahirih Justice Center
$59K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$39K
GA
Georgia Alliance For Breast Cancer
$25K
AD
American Diabetes Association
$10K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$7K

Top Grantees

2 total
GL
Georgia Legal Services ATLANTA, GA
$337K
AV
Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers ATLANTA, GA
$89K
Legal Services Corporation Equal Justice Works The Tahirih Justice Center American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Georgia Alliance For Breast Cancer American Diabetes Association Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Georgia Legal Services Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers
Legal Services Corporation Equal Justice Works The Tahirih Justice Center American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Georgia Alliance For Breast Cancer American Diabetes Association Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Georgia Legal Services Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc

Phone

(404) 524-5811

Social

Visit Website
54 Ellis Street NE Atlanta, GA 30303