‘Tis the Season for Giving of Yourself

Yesterday was Giving Tuesday. I hope all of you reached deep into your pockets for causes important to you. Today, let’s talk about also reaching deep into your hearts to give of yourselves. As attorneys, and family law professionals, the opportunities are so abundant!

You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

I am so grateful to my colleagues and the legal community for the many opportunities I have had throughout my career to give of myself. This year, I want to thank Toni Roberts, Annie Jordan (pictured with me) and the DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation for the opportunity to assist two days per month in the Domestic Violence Court program representing victims in need of legal assitance. I have also provided pro bono services for the DVLF (and the AVLF) as a guardian ad litem, a mentor to other GALs, and a trainer at GAL seminars. And, I have been honored to give back to my colleagues as a founding Board member of the DeKalb Bar Association Family Law Section, a regular contributor over the years to the State Bar of Georgia Family Law Review , and an organizer and presenter for continuing legal education programs. I get such personal fulfillment from all of these activities, and I feel so very fortunate.

PLEASE JOIN ME in giving of yourself and your time. Make a difference in your legal community. And, make a difference for youself! If for no other reason, let’s remember Rule 6.1 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorneys should aspire to give at least 50 hours of pro bono services per year. Legal aid and volunteer lawyer organizations need your help. Court programs, such as family law information centers, workshops and parenting/divorce seminars can benefit from your expertise. Your local Bar association wants your participation. There are so many ways to give of yourself in your local legal community. So, please, accept this as my challenge to each and every one of you during this season of giving.

Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have. 

― Jim Rohn