.png)
In 1991, Cobb Legal Aid partnered with the Cobb Bar Association and, along with the local judiciary and leaders within the community, created a strategic initiative to increase volunteer and financial support for Legal Aid. Through that collaboration, the Cobb Justice Foundation (CJF) was born in 1993. This special project provides opportunities for pro bono attorneys to be involved with Cobb Legal Aid while also providing legal education opportunities to potential clients as well as pro bono attorneys.
Educating clients on their legal rights has become especially significant in the last several years. Since 2000, the number of indigent individuals eligible for Cobb Legal Aid services has increased by almost 150%. With this increased demand for services, educating clients to avoid legal problems is now an important focus. The increase in the number of clients has also led to an increase in the need for Legal Aid attorneys. Due to a lack of sufficient funding to hire enough attorneys to meet this demand, recruiting and training pro bono attorneys to help with this caseload is vital to the mission of Legal Aid. JOIN CJF or make a Donation today. We appreciate your support!
Cobb Justice Foundation Staff
Cathy Waddell, Cobb Pro Bono Project Director
Cathy is the Pro Bono Project Director for the Cobb Justice Foundation. She enjoys working with the private bar to place pro bono Legal Aid cases with private attorneys, including cases in family law, housing, consumer law and estate planning and probate. Prior to joining Legal Aid, Cathy was a solo attorney in Cobb, focusing on estate planning, probate, consumer bankruptcy and small business. Cathy has an undergraduate degree and J.D. from the University of Georgia.
Jo Nelson, TPO Project Coordinator
Jo is the coordinator of the program's largest project, the Temporary Protective Order (TPO) Project. Jo not only represents victims of domestic violence in TPO actions each week, she also screens and places those cases with volunteer attorneys.
Mary Carson, Paralegal
Mary joined Cobb Legal Aid in 2019 as the pro bono paralegal. She assists the TPO Project Coordinator in all areas of the TPO Project and works with the CJF Director on pro bono matters and events.
Special Projects and Clinics
Cobb Justice Foundation
CJF works to ensure clients have access to volunteer attorneys in family law, estate planning and housing matters, in addition to the projects and clinics below. We welcome volunteers with relevant experience and periodically offer trainings in these areas. Please contact CJF Pro Bono Project Director Cathy Waddell for more information.
Cobb TPO Project
In partnership with LiveSafe, this highly impactful project trains volunteer attorneys to represent survivors of family violence, stalking and elder abuse in Temporary Protective Order hearings in Cobb County Superior Court. If you are interested in representing victims of domestic violence in temporary protective order hearings, contact TPO Project Coordinator Jo Nelson.
Cobb Probate Information Clinic
Held on the second Thursday and fourth Friday of each month, volunteer attorneys at the Cobb County Probate Clinic advise about decedent’s estate cases and adult guardianship cases. Clients can meet with a private attorney for FREE for 30 minutes. Volunteer attorneys review each particular situation and advise clients about which action to file and which forms to use in Cobb Probate Court. The Clinic offers client appointments via an online registration service. Clients are seen from 9:30am to 11:30am. Are you an attorney interested in assisting clients at the Probate Information Clinic? Contact CJF Pro Bono Project Director Cathy Waddell.
Cobb Eviction Information Clinic
Although this project is not currently seeking volunteers, anyone is welcome to attend our Cobb County Eviction Information Clinic to observe and learn about the eviction process, including an overview of Georgia law, court procedures, and other tips. The presentation will be followed by a chance for tenants who qualify for Legal Aid’s services to meet with an attorney for a short consultation, including how to file an answer, on a first come, first served basis. If you are an attorney interested in assisting tenants with housing matters, please contact CJF Pro Bono Project Director Cathy Waddell.
Special Events
Justice Jam
Justice Jam is a rockin' annual event that raises money and awareness for Cobb Legal Aid and the Cobb Justice Foundation. Click here for the event website with more information.
Pro Bono Awards Breakfast
Our annual breakfast recognizing our dedicated volunteers. This breakfast is held in our downtown headquarters and features special pro bono achievement awards, project awards and 50 hour volunteer recognition. Watch for details in our newsletter, Summary Justice.
Celebrating Women in Service Luncheon
Held each year in December as a co-sponsored event with the Cobb Women of the Bar Section, the Celebrating Women in Service Luncheon recognizes the achievements and dedication of women in public service. Registration and details are published each Fall.
