WOMEN
IN THE
PROFESSION
Members of the Atlanta Bar Association’s
Women in the Profession Section (WIP) are
excited and honored to bestow this year’s
“Outstanding Woman in the Profession”
award to Michelle Jordan of Atlanta Legal
Aid Society, Inc. on June 6th at the Capital
City Club in Atlanta.
“Each year, the Women in the Profession
Section honors a woman lawyer who
has made significant contributions in
SECTION UPDATES
Bar Association, the Georgia Association of
Black Women Attorneys, and the Georgia
Bar Association’s Family Law section;
Jordan manages attorney consultations for
the Fulton County Family Law Information
Center, contributes to the family law bar
magazine on substantive issues, and regularly
speaks at continuing education seminars.
“The thing that sets Michelle apart,”
mentioned Vandenberg, “is her innate ability
to encourage those up around her in need of
help, including her clients (women dealing
with intimate partner violence and child
abuse), her colleagues, her fellow Atlanta
Bar members, or her community. Through
her actions and dedication, Michelle makes
in front of their children. Nevertheless, they
sit across from their abuser in court or in
mediation, they speak up for themselves,
and they get justice. This award is dedicated
to all of those who say ‘Enough!’ and have
the courage to seek justice. This award is
also dedicated to all of us, who fight for it
on their behalf.”
The award luncheon concluded with closing
remarks from current WIP Chair, Emily
Ward: “The Outstanding Woman in the
Profession Award speaks to the impact WIP
havs across the Atlanta Bar Association and
to our Section’s leadership. This award has
been given to some legal legends and adding
Jordan and her accomplishments to this list
makes the award all the more prestigious.”
Past Outstanding Woman in the Profession
Award Recipients
Left to right: Michelle Jordan and
Cathy Vandenberg
(Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.)
furthering the interests of women in the legal
profession,” commented Megan Hodgkiss,
2018-2019 Chair of the WIP Section. “This
award goes to a woman who empowers
others and is involved in activities which
assist women in the Atlanta community. We
are thrilled to recognize the efforts of this
year’s wonderful recipient, Michelle Jordan.”
Cathy Vandenberg, Deputy Director of
Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc., spoke to
the audience about Jordan’s vast list of
accomplishments and personal attributes. In
addition to being the Managing Attorney at
Atlanta Legal Aid Society’s Health Law Unit,
Jordan is an active member of the Atlanta us
Joyce Gist Lewis
Hon. Mary Grace Diehl
Jacquelyn Saylor
Sara Turnipseed
Paula J. Frederick
Jamala S. McFadden
Hon. Carol W. Hunstein
Jessica J. Wood
Anita Wallace Thomas
feel that she has our back, not because it will
further her career or gain recognition, but
because that’s just who she is – the epitome
of professionalism – positive, poised, and
balanced.”
Upon acceptance of the Woman of
Achievement Award, Michelle thanked
her colleagues, mentors, and family and
dedicated the award to her many inspiring
clients. Jordan explained in her acceptance,
“My clients have always amazed me with
their determination. Over the years, I have
worked with clients who have been chocked,
who have been suffocated, and who have
been dragged across the floor by their hair
Nancy J. Whaley
Hon. Anne Elizabeth Barnes
Elizabeth A. Price
Jill A. Pryor
Rita A. Sheffey
Elizabeth Appley
Aasia Mustakeem
Shayna M. Steinfeld
Linda A. Klein
The Women in the Profession Section is
dedicated to furthering the practice and
perception of law, with a focus on issues
unique to women in the practice. For more
information about our organization, please
visit the Women in the Profession Section
page at atlantabar.org or follow our Facebook
page @AtlantaBarWIP.
DR. MEGAN HODGKISS
Hodgkiss Consulting, LLC
[email protected]
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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