ATLANTA — Nelson Mullins is proud to announce that Atlanta partner Stan Jones was named the Community Partner of the Year by the Georgia Justice Project (GJP) at its annual Grass Roots Justice Awards on May 1. The Georgia Justice Project is a statewide, pro bono legal services program that represents residents on a range of legal issues, including criminal defense, reentry representation, and early termination of probation.

For over a decade, Jones and the firm’s Georgia-based Government Relations team have collaborated closely with GJP to advance meaningful criminal justice police reform across the state. Their efforts have focused on decreasing the number of Georgians involved in the criminal justice system and removing obstacles that hinder individuals with criminal records from successfully reintegrating into society.

“Stan has a thorough understanding of Georgia’s justice system,” said policy advisor Helen Sloat, who serves as the firm’s Director of Georgia State Policy and Government Relations. “He has a keen eye for the way it works for people who are marginalized, and how the system could work better.”

Among the team’s most recent accomplishments is their instrumental advocacy for the Survivor Justice Act—a landmark law, signed on May 12 of this year, that protects domestic violence survivors from serving lengthy prison sentences. They also played a key role in the passage of the 2015 “Ban the Box” executive order, which removed questions about criminal history from the initial application for state employment.

“Stan is always thinking and always listening, and those qualities have rubbed off on me,” Atlanta partner George Ray said. “He’s thoughtful and curious, always interested in the story behind things and a true policy wonk. He’s been a great mentor throughout my career.”

In 2023, Jones received the firm’s George B. Cauthen Lifetime Pro Bono Service Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate a lifelong commitment to community-focused pro bono service. Throughout his 30-year tenure at Nelson Mullins, Jones has contributed more than 5,000 hours to pro bono work, concentrating on driving legislative reform efforts aimed at strengthening communities across Georgia.

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is a full-service Am Law 100 firm of more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals with offices across the United States. The firm’s pro bono program focuses on addressing critical issues including children’s rights, community revitalization, affordable housing, protection against discrimination and violence, criminal justice, and the advancement of civil and human rights. Through its pro bono initiatives and public policy advocacy, Nelson Mullins is dedicated to fostering a more equitable and just society. For more information, visit www.nelsonmullins.com.