The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation established the Safe Families Office to provide legal assistance to victims of domestic violence. The Safe Families Office, located in the Fulton County Courthouse, gives victims a safe place to consult with an attorney. According to AVLF, 80 percent of visitors to the Safe Families Office leave with a 30-day protective order; all victims leave with a better understanding of their legal options. The Safe Families Office also helps victims serve process on their abusers and locate pro bono legal assistance for those who cannot afford an attorney to secure a yearlong protective order.

I have had the privilege of serving several victims of domestic violence through the Safe Families Office and continue to do so for many reasons. First, the Safe Families Office provides all the resources necessary for a successful representation. From the initial intake interview through post-hearing resources, the Safe Families Office allows pro bono attorneys to focus on providing quality representation to our clients. And because the Safe Families Office has already interviewed the client, I have confidence that the cause is worthwhile and my time is well-spent.

Second, on a practical level, these cases give me an opportunity to prosecute a full case in a matter of weeks. I am able to budget my time and know that once the hearing is over, I will only have a few tasks left to wrap up the matter. I have worked on other—equally fulfilling—pro bono matters with unpredictable time constraints.