Atlanta Falcons Honor Hughes
Dec. 12, 2011
ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons gave Randall L. Hughes a 2011 Community Quarterback Award during an on-field presentation at the November 13, 2011 game against the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons honored four volunteers in Georgia who exemplify leadership and dedication to bettering their communities. The winners were selected by a panel of civic and community leaders. The award includes a $2,000 grant for the non-profit organization each winner serves.
Hughes, a Faculty Fellow with the Center for Law, Health & Society and a prominent health law attorney in Atlanta, received the award for the work he does at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, which provides civil legal services to low-income people residing in metropolitan Atlanta. "Randy's long, generous history of volunteer work has had an impact on many," said Steve Gottlieb, the executive director of Atlanta Legal Aid. "Most importantly, he has helped a full roster of clients get answers to their problems, large and small, but all problems that are significant to the person who faces them."
Hughes began volunteering at Atlanta Legal Aid as a "Saturday lawyer" nearly 40 years ago, while he was in private practice in the law firm of Powell Goldstein (now Bryan Cave). Throughout that time, Hughes volunteered in a number of leadership roles with Atlanta Legal Aid. Upon his retirement from the law firm in 2008, he began spending one day per week with Atlanta Legal Aid's Senior Hotline, a state wide service for senior citizens with legal problems. Having focused his private practice in the health law field, Hughes also now volunteers to work on issues faced by patients with AIDS and cancer.
In addition, Hughes volunteers with the HeLP Legal Services Clinic at the College of Law, which partners with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Atlanta Legal Aid to provide legal services to low-income children and families served by Children's hospitals. "Randy is a role model for law students," said Gottlieb. "He's a successful, respected senior lawyer who found time to volunteer while active in his career and who has made almost a second career of volunteering in his so-called retirement."
Hughes' contributions have long been well recognized by his peers in the legal profession, with repeated recognition as a "Best Lawyer" in Georgia and through awards for his pro bono work. "It's time for the wider community to salute this unassuming man who has for so long used his talents in the service of others," said Gottlieb. "Randy embodies the All-American spirit. He not only believes in helping one's neighbor; he rolls up his sleeves and does it."
Contact:
Amy Grover
Senior Administrative Coordinator
Center for Law, Health & Society