I recently joined the Leadership Council for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and wanted to take the opportunity to highlight its important mission in these trying times. As most of Atlanta has been quarantining and social distancing to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, AVLF has continued its work of protecting those who cannot afford legal services.

AVLF is a nonprofit organization and the largest provider of pro bono legal services in Atlanta. Every year, over 5,000 Atlantans receive free world-class legal support to help address housing, income, and domestic violence issues.

Many do not know, however, that AVLF provides significant support beyond legal assistance, including directing those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to programs offering free food, discounted mental health services and employment opportunities.

"Standing with Our Neighbors," is one of its signature and most successful programs. AVLF partners with schools and other community allies to improve living conditions and housing stability in low-income neighborhoods, which helps improve residents' health, reduce school enrollment turnover and enhance student performance.

Many of the cases AVLF volunteer attorneys take come through the Saturday Lawyer Program. Attorneys devote their Saturday to meeting one-on-one with low-income Atlantans to discuss their legal needs and help assess how they should be handled.

Many of the lawyer volunteers end up taking the cases right away, and it is a truly rewarding experience to help that person from start to finish. Like many organizations and companies, AVLF has had to modify its procedures in light of COVID-19 and its Saturday Lawyer Program has gone virtual, for now. Volunteer attorneys are paired with potential clients via video conferencing. The quick transition to virtual assistance is a testament to the dedication and passion of the AVLF team.

The importance of helping my neighbors was instilled in me in high school, where every student had a required number of community service hours to complete as part of the curriculum. Now, through my profession, I can give back by representing clients who have nowhere else to turn.

I am fortunate that the law firm where I work, Barnes & Thornburg, supports pro bono efforts by encouraging its attorneys to volunteer 50 hours per year.

It is an honor to be a part of AVLF's Leadership Council, which was designed to bring fresh ideas and energy to the organization's mission. Now, more than ever, our low-income neighbors need help, so I am using this platform to spread awareness and work on some exciting upcoming fundraising events.

If you would like to help, either through providing legal services or a tax-deductible monetary contribution, please contact AVLF. Thank you in advance for your support.

Adam Gajadharsingh is a commercial litigation associate in the Atlanta office of Barnes & Thornburg.