Savannah's legal professionals honored its Pro Bono attorneys at reception on Thursday evening, February 22. The Savannah Chapter of the Southeastern Association of Legal Assistants (SEALA) sponsored the event to honor attorneys in the area who have volunteered their services to provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals in civil cases. During the past year, Savannah area attorneys have handled 367 cases in cooperation with the Savannah Regional Office of Georgia Legal Services' Pro Bono Program. Among those honored at the reception were Karen Dove Barr, Dolly Chisholm, Kelly Miller, Solomon Amusan, Charles Bell, Raymond Dickey, Charles Grile, Stephen Harris, John Pirkle and Daniel Snipes. 49 other attorneys received certificates recognizing their work. A special award was presented to Carl L. Pedigo, Jr. for 24 years of service to the Pro Bono Project and to the clients with whom he has worked.

The Pro Bono Project at Georgia Legal Services seeks to make opportunities for Pro Bono service available to attorneys. The office conducts the intake for those needing assistance and locates local attorneys willing to help. Those honored at the event were among the 284 local attorneys who have indicated their willingness to help. Not only do private attorneys working in their own offices help, seven attorneys currently are coming into the office and working on cases as part of Savannah's Senior Volunteer Attorney Project. The office also hosts the Hospice Pro Bono Project which provides legal assistance to the terminally ill and their families.

According to Bill Broker, Managing Attorney of GLSP, "Without the work of our Pro Bono attorneys, many of the legal needs of the poor would go unmet. Pro Bono attorneys are now handling 10 to 15% of the cases coming into GLSP in Savannah. So often we hear criticism of lawyers, and don't hear about the good, behind the scenes work of these men and women who take their professional responsibilities seriously."

SEALA sought to partner with GLSP and local attorneys to encourage their work to make the legal system work for everyone. The organization sponsored this event, with the support of the Savannah Bar Association, in order to bring attention to the good work being done by attorneys on behalf of those unable to afford attorneys. SEALA encourages professionalism among its members and provides educational and other professional activities for those working in the legal profession. All proceeds from the event will support the work of Savannah GLSP.