Georgia Online Justice Community

(MACON, GA, December 13, 2007) - Judy Davenport, pro bono coordinator for the Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP), is retiring after 37 years of service. As a pro bono coordinator, Davenport recruited private lawyers in 23 counties in Central Georgia to provide services free-of-charge as pro bono volunteers or on a reduced fee basis for low-income residents with critical civil legal needs. A hallmark of Davenport's career has been establishing one of the most successful pro bono programs in Georgia. "Judy has touched the lives of so many clients, lawyers, and judges over the years; she is the original, the model, pro bono coordinator," said Mike Monahan, director of the Pro Bono Project of the State Bar of Georgia.

From 1970 until her retirement, Davenport dedicated her career to serving needy Georgians. She moved to Macon from Sylacauga, Alabama in 1970, and was hired as the office manager/executive secretary of the Macon Legal Aid Society. Davenport worked with ten law students from Mercer University and members of the Macon Bar Association to handle cases for indigent clients. Davenport interviewed clients, typed and filed pleadings, and matched law students with private attorneys. Davenport continued working in this capacity in 1971, when the Macon Legal Aid Society became Georgia Indigent Legal Services. In 1974, Davenport became the domestic relations coordinator for Georgia Indigent Legal Services.

GLSP was officially incorporated in 1971 by members of the Younger Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Davenport was hired by GLSP in 1975 to serve as the domestic relations/pro bono coordinator for the Macon Office. Davenport has been a pioneer in the pro bono community, creating lasting relationships between legal services and the private bar and recruiting lawyers to handle cases for clients. "Judy's leadership, her loyalty to GLSP, and her tireless energy will be missed by everyone," said executive director Phyllis J. Holmen. "Perhaps Judy's most important legacy is the client advocacy perspective she has brought to GLSP. She has such compassion for our clients, and we have learned so much from her."

Davenport's awards and honors include:
· 1987 recipient of the Macon Bar Association Pro Bono Coordinator of the Year award
· 1989 recipient of the State Bar of Georgia Pro Bono Coordinator of the Year award
· 1992 recipient of the Women Reaching Out to Women YWCA award
· 1999 recipient of the Macon Bar Association Liberty Bell award
· 2004 recipient of the American Bar Association National Pro Bono Coordinator of the Year award

In 2004, the Macon Bar Association and GLSP honored Davenport with the creation of the Judy Davenport Pro Bono Partner award to be given annually to outstanding pro bono lawyers. The award plaque hangs in the Bibb County courthouse. Davenport has served on several committees throughout her career, including the Executive Committee of the Central Georgia Council on Family Violence, the Executive Committee of the National Association of Pro Bono Coordinators, and the Unmet Needs/Underutilized Attorney Committee of the State Bar of Georgia.

Davenport plans to relocate back to Alabama and volunteer her time and service to the elderly. "I love working with the elderly. They need people who will talk to them and listen to them," she said. Davenport will be sorely missed by everyone whose life she has touched over the years. "I enjoyed working with the clients and the private bar. I have made wonderful friends," she said.

GLSP provides critical civil legal services free-of-charge to eligible low-income residents in 154 counties outside metro-Atlanta. Incorporated in 1971 by members of the Younger Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Georgia, GLSP's mission is to provide access to justice and opportunities out of poverty for low-income Georgians. Since its founding in 1971, GLSP has helped an estimated 500,000 families and individuals.

"Our work changes lives and impacts our communities. Our attorneys reach out to serve people in the dozens of rural counties in Georgia that have no or very few lawyers. Many of our clients can't access our legal system because they are isolated, elderly, or new residents who don't understand our language or our ways. We give a voice to Georgia residents who are not heard by the legal system. We help our clients, most of whom are women with children, become self-sufficient and able to take care of themselves and their children," said GLSP Executive Director Phyllis Holmen.

As the largest civil legal aid organization in the state, GLSP delivers on our nation's promise of equal justice for all and provides the fairness promised by our Constitution. Its staff attorneys in 11 regional offices, including the Macon Office, offer free legal services to residents whose incomes are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

"GLSP has become an integral part of the legal profession in our state, meeting critical needs that would not otherwise be addressed," said Phil Bond, managing attorney for the Macon Office. Here in Macon we have a special focus on preserving housing for families and senior citizens. We also secure access to health care, protect people from domestic violence and abuse, and represent people with limited English language ability to ensure protection of their rights."

GLSP offers legal help for non-criminal problems involving family/domestic violence; housing; public benefits; consumer; healthcare; education; and employment. Services include advice and counsel; brief service; representation in administrative hearings and court; educational programs; and referrals to private attorneys and to other services. Callers are also referred to www.legalaid-GA.org for information and other resources dealing with legal problems. Special projects include a Kinship Care project; a Housing Helpline; a Farmworker Project; the State Bar Pro Bono Project; Elder Legal Assistance and Elder Abuse Prevention; Legal Assistance for People with HIV/AIDS; and Long-Term Care Ombudsmen projects. Almost 1,000 lawyers across the state are enrolled on panels to accept referrals of low-income clients with critical problems at reduced rates or at no charge.

The GLSP Macon Office succeeded the Macon Legal Aid Society, which was started by the Macon Bar Association in 1955, in response to the need for a systemic approach to providing civil legal representation to indigent clients. The GLSP Macon Office provides services in the counties of Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Crawford, Dodge, Hancock, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Telfair, Treutlen, Twiggs, Wheeler, and Wilkinson.


For further information on the GLSP Macon Office, call 1-800-560-2855 or 478-751-6261 or log onto www.glsp.org.