University Attorney Wins Bar Award

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University Attorney Laverne L. Gaskins was recognized at a reception for the 10th Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service held Tuesday, March 10, in Atlanta.

Gaskins (Judicial District 2), along with nine other award winners, were honored for serving a wide range of community organizations, government-sponsored activities and humanitarian efforts outside of their professional practices.

The VSU attorney is active with various entities including on Florida State University’s College of Law Alumni Board of Directors, the Board of Governors of the State Bar, the American Bar Association Foundation, the Georgia Bar Foundation, the Valdosta Bar Association and the Valdosta Rotary. She also serves as the secretary of the Georgia Alliance of African American Attorneys.

Locally, the Leadership Lowndes Class of 2003 graduate has been involved with the Valdosta State University Alumni Board, American Red Cross Board-Valdosta Chapter and the Hospice of South Georgia Board-Valdosta Chapter.

“The State Bar of Georgia encourages volunteerism, and in recognizing my community service, the Georgia Bar is focusing on my work with the American Association of University Women-Valdosta Branch where I have served as President and I am currently serving on the state level as its parliamentarian,” Gaskins said. “AAUW seeks to educate and empower girls, and women through various activities designed to enhance knowledge.”

Gaskins award letter explained: “These awards recognize the commitment of Georgia Lawyers to volunteerism, encourage all lawyers to become involved in community service, improve the quality of lawyers’ lives through the satisfaction they derive from helping others, and raise the public image of lawyers.”

Contact Nneka Daniel, Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism at (404) 225-5040 for more information.