Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation In

Atlanta, GA · Founded 1979

Provides free civil legal services to low-income families in Atlanta through volunteer attorneys

Primary audience
Low-income families
Work area
Legal services
Topic
Civil legal aid
Contact
Michael Lucas
Website Contact

About Organization

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation provides free legal assistance to low-income families facing civil legal issues related to housing stability and family safety. Based in Atlanta, GA, the organization was founded in 1979 and operates with 77 staff members and 414 volunteer attorneys. In 2024, the organization reported revenue of $5.6 million.

What They Focus On

Housing Stability

Legal assistance preventing evictions and displacement, ensuring families maintain safe and stable housing in Atlanta

Family Legal Support

Civil legal representation addressing issues affecting family safety, stability, and access to equal justice

Pro Bono Coordination

Mobilizing volunteer attorney network to provide free legal services for low-income families facing civil justice barriers

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$5.6M

-12% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$7.7M

+13.6% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$2.6M

-48.2% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

77

+22.2% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $5,589,048 $7,699,743 $2,555,402 77
2023 $6,354,408 $6,778,618 $4,928,603 63
2022 $7,125,803 $5,789,222 $5,341,008 66
2020 $6,321,949 $6,317,232 $2,935,492 48
2019 $4,684,511 $4,058,923 $2,530,302 44
2018 $3,428,011 $3,299,960 $1,840,780 41

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

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Client Intake

    Screen potential clients for income eligibility and assess legal needs related to housing and family stability

  • 02

    Attorney Matching

    Connect eligible clients with qualified volunteer attorneys from network of over 400 legal professionals

  • 03

    Legal Representation

    Provide free civil legal services through volunteer attorneys supported by staff legal experts

  • 04

    Case Resolution

    Achieve outcomes that create safe homes and stable families through effective legal advocacy

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation In

Family Stability Services

Legal representation for families facing housing displacement, eviction prevention, and maintaining safe living conditions

Volunteer Attorney Network

Coordinates over 400 volunteer lawyers to provide pro bono representation for qualifying low-income clients

Equal Justice Advocacy

Legal support addressing civil justice issues affecting family safety and stability in underserved communities

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation In.

Michael Lucas

Michael Lucas

Executive Director
Full-time
Compensation: $197,429
Jason Levister

Jason Levister

Controller
Full-time
Compensation: $125,122
Crystal Redd

Crystal Redd

Sr. Director of Programs + Advocacy
Full-time
Compensation: $104,921
Alexandria Arnold

Alexandria Arnold

Staff Attorney, Safe & Stable Homes Project
Amber Shannon

Amber Shannon

Client Coordinator, MLP+
Angel Caldwell

Angel Caldwell

Paralegal, Safe & Stable Homes Project
Angela Skeete

Angela Skeete

Paralegal, Housing Court Assistance Center
Brooke Askew

Brooke Askew

Community Advocate, Standing with Our Neighbors®
Cassandre Damas

Cassandre Damas

Managing Attorney, Housing Court Assistance Center
Chris Portuallo

Chris Portuallo

Staff Attorney, SLED
Christan Rozzell

Christan Rozzell

Paralegal, Access to Counsel Pilot
Courtney Shelley

Courtney Shelley

Program Manager, MLP+
Ethan Grossman

Ethan Grossman

Staff Attorney, Access to Counsel Pilot
Gino Turner

Gino Turner

Community Advocate, Standing with Our Neighbors®
Jessica Bareis

Jessica Bareis

Staff Attorney, Standing With Our Neighbors®
Katie Herring

Katie Herring

Managing Attorney, Access to Counsel PILOT
Kelsie Matthews

Kelsie Matthews

Eviction Navigator, Access to Counsel PILOT
Kenisha Carson

Kenisha Carson

Senior Paralegal, Safe & Stable Homes Project
LeRoya Scott

LeRoya Scott

Program Assistant, Safe & Stable Homes Project
Quentin Page

Quentin Page

Community Advocate, Standing with Our Neighbors®
Sarah Babcock

Sarah Babcock

Director, SLED / Managing Attorney, Saturday Lawyer Program
Shameka Love

Shameka Love

Intake Coordinator, Standing with Our Neighbors®
Shane Mendez

Shane Mendez

Staff Attorney, Standing with Our Neighbors®
Susan Leonard

Susan Leonard

Volunteer Engagement Manager, Safe and Stable Homes Project
Anajah McNish

Anajah McNish

Staff Attorney, Safe Families Office
Courtney Johnson

Courtney Johnson

Interim Legal Director, Safe & Stable Families Project
Grace Power

Grace Power

Managing Attorney, Intimate Partner Abuse Program
Jennifer Leaks

Jennifer Leaks

Program Manager, Standing with Survivors
Kayla Thompson

Kayla Thompson

Administrator, Intimate Partner Abuse Program
Kenya Gould

Kenya Gould

Director, Social Services
Lilli Crowe

Lilli Crowe

Volunteer Engagement Manager, Safe & Stable Families Project
Madison Taylor

Madison Taylor

Legal Assistant, Family Law Program
Melissa Olive

Melissa Olive

Social Worker, Standing with Survivors Program
Mia Smith

Mia Smith

Social Worker, Standing with Survivors Program
La'Nette Holloman

La'Nette Holloman

Program Manager - Community Support and Partnerships
Sonya Humphries

Sonya Humphries

Director of Community Support and Partnerships
Doni Johnson

Doni Johnson

Annual Campaign Coordinator
Karen Frazier

Karen Frazier

Finance Manager
Kimberly Duncan

Kimberly Duncan

Sr. Marketing Manager
Kizzy Lewis

Kizzy Lewis

Director of Human Resources
Kyle Newman

Kyle Newman

Sr. Manager of Donor Relations & Annual Giving
Libby Rother

Libby Rother

Development Director
Matthew Goeke

Matthew Goeke

Information Technology Manager
Melissa Moody

Melissa Moody

Sr. Program Data & Evaluation Manager
Nicole Irvine

Nicole Irvine

Executive Assistant
Sarah Brown

Sarah Brown

Digital Communications Coordinator
Terri Valentine

Terri Valentine

Office Manager
JF

Juan Figueroa

Deputy Director
Full-time
Compensation: $172,460
ER

Elizabeth Rother

Development Director
Full-time
Compensation: $129,822
AP

Andria Perez

Immediate Past-President
2 hrs/week
LB

Lawrence Bracken II

President
4 hrs/week
PJ

Paul J Murphy

Vice President
4 hrs/week
AD

Araba Dowell

Dir. Of Marketing & Communications
Full-time
Compensation: $113,321
AR

Andrew Rosenzweig

Director
AH

Ashley Heintz

Director
BH

Ben Hunter

Director
BW

Brian Watt

Director
CH

Cameron Hawkins

Director
CD

Chelton D Tanger

Director
CF

Christa Freeman

Director
DS

Dave Stainback

Director
EF

Elizabeth Finn Johnson

Director
IM

Irvin Marchand

Director
JE

Jason Esteves

Director
JO

Jason Outlaw

Director
JN

Jeff Nix

Director
JF

Jennifer Fease

Director
JM

Jim McGinni

Director
JH

John Horn

Director
JO

Jonathan Olinger

Director
KG

Kamal Ghali

Director
KL

Kathryn Lawler

Director
KW

Kristy Weathers

Director
LH

Lennon Haas

Director
MB

Matt Bozzelli

Director
PA

Petrina Ann McDaniel

Director
RK

Rebecca Kaj

Director
SW

Steven Wolfe

Director
TB

Tom Best

Director

Milestones

1979

Organization Founded

1979

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation established to provide free legal services to low-income families

1980

IRS Tax-Exempt Status

1980

Received federal recognition as tax-exempt charitable organization

2022

Peak Revenue Year

2022

Achieved highest annual revenue of $7.1 million serving Atlanta families

2024

Expanded Staff Capacity

2024

Grew to 77 employees supporting network of 414 volunteer attorneys

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AR
Andrew Rosenzweig Director 2.00 hrs/week
AH
Ashley Heintz Director 2.00 hrs/week
BH
Ben Hunter Director 2.00 hrs/week
BW
Brian Watt Director 2.00 hrs/week
CH
Cameron Hawkins Director 2.00 hrs/week
CD
Chelton D Tanger Director 2.00 hrs/week
CF
Christa Freeman Director 2.00 hrs/week
DS
Dave Stainback Director 2.00 hrs/week
EF
Elizabeth Finn Johnson Director 2.00 hrs/week
EJ
Emily Johnson Secretary 4.00 hrs/week
IM
Irvin Marchand Director 2.00 hrs/week
JE
Jason Esteves Director 2.00 hrs/week
JO
Jason Outlaw Director 2.00 hrs/week
JN
Jeff Nix Director 2.00 hrs/week
JF
Jennifer Fease Director 2.00 hrs/week
JM
Jim McGinni Director 2.00 hrs/week
JH
John Horn Director 2.00 hrs/week
JO
Jonathan Olinger Director 2.00 hrs/week
KG
Kamal Ghali Director 2.00 hrs/week
KL
Kathryn Lawler Director 2.00 hrs/week
KW
Kristy Weathers Director 2.00 hrs/week
LH
Lennon Haas Director 2.00 hrs/week
MB
Matt Bozzelli Director 2.00 hrs/week
PA
Petrina Ann McDaniel Director 2.00 hrs/week
RK
Rebecca Kaj Director 2.00 hrs/week
SW
Steven Wolfe Director 2.00 hrs/week
TB
Tom Best Director 2.00 hrs/week
VA
Virginia Adams Treasurer 4.00 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)

$923K

Highest Paid

$216K

Michael Lucas

Compensated Officers

6

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Michael Lucas Executive Director $197,429 $18,919 $216,348 40
Juan Figueroa Deputy Director $172,460 $9,955 $182,415 40
Elizabeth Rother Development Director $129,822 $14,132 $143,954 40
Jason Levister Controller $125,122 $13,517 $138,639 40
Araba Dowell DIR. Of Marketing & Communications $113,321 $9,794 $123,115 40
Crystal Redd Co-DIR.,Safe & Stable Homes Project $104,921 $13,990 $118,911 40

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

$1.2M

Total Forgiven

$1.2M

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

89

Loan Details 2 loans

$610,238
Forgiven
Forgiven: $614,730 100%
Approved Mar 12, 2021
Lender Truist Bank
Jobs Reported 46
Forgiven On Dec 14, 2021
$549,800
Forgiven
Forgiven: $555,313 100%
Approved Apr 28, 2020
Lender Truist Bank
Jobs Reported 43
Forgiven On May 4, 2021

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

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$406K Grants Received
9 Organizations

Top Funders

9 total
JD
Jones Day Foundation
$100K
KF
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Of Georgiainc
$99K
AL
Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc.
$89K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$57K
TW
The Waterfall Foundation Inc.
$25K
TI
THDF II Inc DBA
$13K
CF
C F Foundation Inc.
$9K
UW
United Way Miami Inc.
$9K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$6K
Jones Day Foundation Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Of Georgiainc Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc. Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund The Waterfall Foundation Inc. THDF II Inc DBA C F Foundation Inc. United Way Miami Inc. American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
Jones Day Foundation Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Of Georgiainc Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc. Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund The Waterfall Foundation Inc. THDF II Inc DBA C F Foundation Inc. United Way Miami Inc. American Online Giving Foundation Inc.

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

Contact

Get in touch with Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation In

Phone

(404) 521-0790

Social

Visit Website
352 University Ave SW N-118 Atlanta, GA 30310