Learn more about Althea’s impact on affordable housing in Atlanta as we celebrate Women’s History Month.
What inspired you to practice law?
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since elementary school, but not in the Perry Mason way. My childhood sheroes were lawyers like Barbara Jordan, Patricia Roberts Harris and Constance Baker Motley. Inspired by these exemplary women, I learned that the law could be a powerful tool for creating a better community.
Why did you choose to focus on Atlanta’s affordable housing industry?
I’m fortunate to be a member of the affordable housing practice at Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP (AGG). I know that housing stability is the basis from which everything important in our lives stems — and that is a driving force for me.
While I work on transactions all over the United States, Atlanta’s affordable housing matters are very special to me because I grew up in Southwest Atlanta, or SWATS. Even in the midst of some very complicated transactions, I’m empowered to find solutions that ultimately help my hometown live up to its full potential.
And the opportunity to support a meaningful mission is important to me as well; it’s my way of giving back to a city I love.
How did you first become aware of Habitat for Humanity?
I first became aware of Habitat for Humanity through home builds that were sponsored by my church, Cascade United Methodist Church. Early in my career, I also helped by volunteering legal services to new homeowners as part of their closings.
How do you hope to positively impact the Atlanta Habitat mission as General Counsel?
Although this is a volunteer board position, I will treat this opportunity no differently than any other client. I’ll bring my best critical thinking, analysis, advocacy and counselor skills to the role, ensuring that Atlanta Habitat is poised to achieve its mission of helping families achieve their homeownership dreams.
What other causes and organizations do you support?
From a board service perspective, I tend to gravitate to organizations that address the basics of humanity — food, housing and education. As such, I also serve on the boards for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Drew Charter School and National Church Residences.
I’m grateful to see the increased recognition these kinds of issues are now receiving. In so many ways, the strategic conversations these organizations are having are similar, and I believe we can all be part of a winning formula with a holistic approach.
More About Althea
A graduate of Emory University and the University of Virginia Law School, Althea was recently named to The Atlanta 500 for the fifth time. As a partner in AGG’s real estate practice, she represents developers, government agencies and tax credit investors in a variety of affordable housing, mixed-income, mixed-use and urban development transactions.
Learn more about Althea’s impact on affordable housing in Atlanta.
