Follow these six easy steps to prepare for your Saturday Lawyer Day appointment:
LOCATION AND PARKING
In-person Saturday Lawyer Day is held in AVLF’s downtown Atlanta office at Peachtree Center. The address is 235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1750, Atlanta 30303. The best landmark for our building is the CVS Pharmacy located on the ground floor of our building.
You may park in any one of the variety of paid parking lots and garages near our building. The most convenient parking lot is the paid lot behind a restaurant called Cuts, at the corner of Andrew Young International Blvd and Peachtree Center Ave. Cuts’ address is 60 Andrew Young International Blvd. The cost is usually a $10 flat fee on the weekends, but may be more if there is a special event. Remember that International Blvd is one-way going West, and Peachtree Center Ave. is one-way going North. If you park behind Cuts or across the street at the Peachtree Center garage, just walk up to Peachtree St., turn right and then turn right again just before the CVS. Go to the first set of double doors on your left, and someone will be waiting to let you in.
Attorneys may park for free at the State Bar building, but it is a bit of a walk to get to our office. If you choose to park at the State Bar, the easiest way to find us is to walk along Marietta St. until you get to Peachtree St., turn left on Peachtree, and continue for several blocks until you get to Peachtree Center. You will know you are there when you see a large CVS. CVS is at the base of the North Tower, so turn right into Peachtree Center just before the CVS and go to the first set of double doors on your left. Someone will be there to let you in and help you find our office!
If you plan to park at the State Bar Building—which is free and a manageable walk from 235 Peachtree —you should know that it might appear to be closed at that hour. It is not closed for members of the Bar, but if the gate is down you simply need to press the intercom button and tell security that you are a member of the Bar. They may ask for your name and Bar number; then they will buzz you in.
MARTA
MARTA is also an option. Take the North/South train to the Peachtree Center Station and exit where it says John Portman Blvd. Do not exit where it says Ellis Street. Go up the Peachtree Center East escalators. Go all the way up to the street and you will see CVS. Turn into the courtyard after CVS and someone will be waiting for you at the first set of double doors on your left.
Am I allowed to give advice?
Yes! The Saturday Lawyer Program is a Nonprofit Limited Legal Services Program covered by Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 6.5. That rule allows lawyers to provide short-term limited legal services, including advice, to a client without having to check conflicts first. However, if you recognize a known conflict of interest, simply notify AVLF so that we can reassign you.
What should I expect in my interview with the potential client?
AVLF clients are in crisis and may naturally express frustration, sadness, anger, or anxiety during your interview with them. Be patient and offer some validation or sympathy. They may also want to discuss other legal issues with you, so you may need to refocus them on the legal issue they’re here to discuss. You may also need to manage expectations by reminding the potential client that we are still gathering information and assessing their case, and have not yet agreed to provide extended representation.