Rita A. Sheffey joined the Atlanta Legal Aid Society on August 1,
2023. Prior to joining Legal Aid, Rita served for eight years as Emory University School of Law’s Assistant Dean for Public Service. In that role, she oversaw the law school’s Pro Bono Program, advised students interested in post-graduate federal and state court judicial clerkships, and employment with government and public interest organizations, and managed the Volunteer Clinic for Veterans and Emory Immigrant Legal Assistance. Prior to joining Emory in January 2015, Rita was a partner with Hunton & Williams LLP, where she focused on complex litigation and served as Hunton & Williams’ Southside Legal Center pro bono clinic director and Atlanta Pro Bono Committee Chair.

Rita has served in numerous leadership positions, including as President of the
Atlanta Bar Association, the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, and Emory’s Lamar Inn of Court, among others. She was a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2005 and has served on the Executive Council of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP), the Executive Committee of the Metropolitan Bar Caucus (affiliated with NCBP), and on the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the American Judicial System. Rita was a self-described “quasi-insider” with Legal Aid. Not only did she serve as Board President, but she also co-chaired the 90th Anniversary Planning Committee, served on the Strategic Planning Committee, mentored a number of staff attorneys, and supported the work of Legal Aid through her service to the Atlanta Bar and the State Bar of Georgia.

Rita has received numerous awards for her leadership and pro bono efforts, including the Atlanta Legal Aid Society’s Extraordinary Pro Bono Service Award in 2018, the Georgia State University College of Law’s Ben F. Johnson, Jr. Public Service Award in 2015, and the inaugural Rita A. Sheffey Public Interest Award from the Atlanta Bar’s Public Interest Law Section in 2012. Rita grew up in southwest Virginia and has degrees from the University of Virginia (B.A. in chemistry), Duke University (Ph.D. in chemistry), Boston College Law School (J.D.) and Emory’s Candler School of Theology (Master’s in Religion and Public Life).  She also did a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Biological Chemistry at Harvard Medical School.

Kimberly went to law school to represent tenants facing eviction and she has dedicated her entire career to civil legal services.  In her role as Deputy Director, Kimberly acts as a liaison between clients, staff, the Board of Directors and our justice partners.  Kimberly has worked with Atlanta Legal Aid for over sixteen years, and she previously served as the managing attorney of the Clayton / South Fulton Office for over seven years. Kimberly also serves as a Fulton County Magistrate Judge in a part-time capacity.  

James started his role of Operations & Facilities Manager in September 2018. In his role, he supports all affiliated Atlanta Legal Aid Society offices in Metro Atlanta.  Prior to joining Atlanta Legal Aid Society, James worked as the Facilities Coordinator for Web.com and as the Facilities Manager for the School of Mathematics on the campus of Georgia Institute of Technology. James is also an EPA certified HVAC(R) Universal Technician as of 2009 when he graduated with honors from Laurus Technical Institute.  He is the father of three daughters and a grandfather of two. Fun fact: James is internationally known and locally accepted for his lyrical contributions to Hip Hop culture ever since he started independently releasing his music starting in 1995.  James is originally from Memphis, Tennessee.