''A (client’s) relationship with the Georgia Justice Project is a relationship for life. You are like one big family. You are creating pockets of... the Beloved Community.''

Congressman John Lewis, Georgia’s 5th District, March 21, 2003

Founded by Atlanta lawyer John Pickens in 1986, GJP is an unlikely mix of lawyers, social workers and a landscaping company. GJP defends people accused of crimes and, win or lose, stands with its clients while they rebuild their lives. GJP believes that this is the only way to break the cycle of crime and poverty. GJP’s mission from the outset has been to ensure justice for the indigent criminally accused by providing them with the same quality of legal representation usually only afforded those who can hire their own lawyers.

GJP carefully selects which clients and cases it takes on, and agrees to represent indigent individuals accused of crimes only if those individuals are willing to work, accept counseling or treatment, and pursue job training or educational opportunities so that they will be better equipped to live more productive lives once their legal problems are behind them. This holistic approach to assisting clients and GJP's commitment to stand with those clients while they work to rebuild their lives are the primary reasons that the recidivism rate for GJP clients is less than one-third the national average (18.8% compared to the national average of over 60%).

GJP has received recognition for its outstanding work at the local, state and national level. Awards in the last several years include the Annie E. Casey Foundation 2006 Families Count: The National Honors Program, the 11Alive Community Service Award, and the Chief Justice’s Award for Community Service. This recognition has also resulted in GJP receiving critical acclaim and favorable press coverage from a wide-range of newspapers and publications.

Click to learn more about GJP's legal, social and landscaping programs.