Bouhan Falligant’s appellate practice was honored to file a pro bono brief on behalf of a victim of family violence on Monday, asking the Court of Appeals to honor the plain-text meaning of a Georgia law allowing family-violence victims to seek protective orders against their alleged abusers.  Lucas Bradley, a partner with the firm’s appellate practice, had primary responsibility for the brief and was assisted by Logan Lineberry, an associate in the practice group.  

Georgia Legal Services brought the matter to Bouhan Falligant’s attention as part of its broad-based work on behalf of victims of family violence.  As Vicky Kimbrell, Director of the GLSP Family Violence Project, noted, its services are all the more important during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Kimbrell stated that “the stress, the danger, the losses of income and resources has led to a 46% increase in crisis calls to Domestic Violence programs.  Survivors are turning to the courts for the safety they need during this time, and they need our support.” 

Bouhan Falligant has a robust pro bono appellate practice, and its work in this case follows its two appellate wins last year on behalf of a historical African-American church in a dispute involving that church’s property rights.  “Appellate practice is where the rubber hits the road—not just for individual cases, but vindicating the rights of all future litigants relying on Georgia precedent,” said Lucas Bradley.  “We are honored to lend the firm’s resources and expertise to members of our community who need help navigating Georgia’s appellate courts.”