Filipovits honored with Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
September 17, 2010
ATLANTA -- Jeff Filipovits had no idea that a bright, purple flier would launch his legal career.
Stuffed in his Decatur mailbox, the flier highlighted neighborhood concerns with a mental health center on Sycamore Street. Armed with curiosity and his Georgia State College of Law education, Filipovits went to the meeting.
There he met a group of concerned residents, who questioned the zoning standards and wanted the center to find a new home. He also met Sharon Jenkins Tucker, executive director of the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, who spoke on behalf of the center.
The debate grew contentious.
After learning that Filipovits was a law school graduate and newly minted attorney, Tucker slipped him her card. On the back she wrote, "Please help us."
At the time, Filipovits was spending his post-graduate days working in the College of Law library. Instead of wallowing in the obvious reality - a practicing attorney with no paying legal gig - he funneled his energies into researching and preparing to represent the center against high-powered attorneys hired by the neighbors.
And, he did it for free.
"The education I got at Georgia State certainly prepared me to go into a trial and to litigate against an established law firm," said Filipovits, 30. "I knew I could research as well as any lawyer out there."
Together with the assistance of Talley Wells, an attorney with Atlanta Legal Aid, and Georgia State student Zawn Villines, 26, his girlfriend, Filipovits pulled together a strong case in support of the center.
"Nothing is more rewarding than having our alumni put their legal education to good use," said one of Filipovits’ former professors, Anne Emanuel. "I am very proud of Jeff - of his ability and of his generosity of spirit. His work honors our commitment to public service."
In April, after months of uncertainty, local government officials decided the center could stay. The final decision came to rest on two federal laws that Filipovits researched extensively for the appeal hearing: the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act.
For their good will and support, Filipovits and Wells received the 2010 Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network.
Tucker was proud to honor the two men she calls humble giants.
"Jeff and Talley, they literally saved the day, and we now have no further problems with the neighborhood," Tucker said. "It’s even greater than what I can give words to."
In July, Filipovits left his job at the College of Law library for the position he hoped for since graduating a year ago. He is an associate at Magarahan, Villines & Honis, a general practice Atlanta firm that specializes in criminal defense, police brutality, and civil rights.
It was the win before the zoning board of appeals that drew the firm’s interest, Filipovits said.
"I think the best lesson is that if you can’t find work, to start working for free for something you care about," he added. "If you’re sitting around looking for a job, you might as well start doing it."
By Joy Woodson