Barnes to work pro bono pro
Duane D. Stanford
Wednesday, December 18, 2002
Steven Gottlieb thought it was a joke when he checked his
voicemail and heard Gov. Roy Barnes saying he wanted to come to
work for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society.
"How would you like to have a lawyer for six months?" Barnes
asked the executive director. At least, it sounded like Barnes.
Gottlieb, who was vacationing in New Zealand, asked his
secretary to check it out. She confirmed the unbelievable --- it
was Barnes, and the offer was legit.
"I've never heard of a former governor going to work for a legal
aid program," said Gottlieb. "I take that as an incredible
compliment."
Two days after the news leaked out, Barnes confirmed Tuesday he
will go to work for the nonprofit group for six months, donating
his time to handle cases on behalf of lowincome Georgians. Barnes,
speaking at a press conference attended by Gottlieb, said his first
priority has always been to look out for Georgians' interests.
"Holding elective office is not the only way to help others,"
said Barnes, an attorney who helped found a high-profile law firm
in Marietta before winning the governor's race in 1998.
The move could also help Barnes clean up the "King Roy" image
that dogged him during his re-election campaign and contributed to
his surprise loss to Sonny Perdue on Nov. 5. Asked about his legacy
Tuesday, Barnes was cautious: "I'm not a big one on legacy; that's
up to others to determine."
Political consultant Rick Dent said it is unlikely that Barnes
is attempting to remake his image, especially since it could be
construed as a negative by those who believe Barnes is liberal.
"I think it's refreshing to see someone leave public office and
not cash in, and do something he really does care about," said
Dent, who served as spokesman for Democratic Gov. Zell Miller in
the 1990s.
Legal aid's volunteer lawyers work on behalf of low-income
clients who often don't have access to the legal system. The
group's lawyers handle only civil cases.
Barnes first got to know the organization while working to
protect borrowers from socalled "predatory lenders." Legal aid
lawyers helped Barnes write and pass legislation this year
regulating certain high-cost loans.
