WWHGD wins Temporary Protective Order for Client: Victim of Domestic Abuse

ATLANTA (July 11, 2016) --- Partner, Nick Panayotopoulos, was successful in a domestic violence case assigned by the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF), securing a protective order on behalf of his client.  “I wish we were able to provide the kind of focused, compassionate, and top notch representation provided by Nick, to every client who walks through our doors” stated Lilli Crowe, Program Coordinator, Safe and Stable Families Project.

In this contested hearing in Fulton County Superior Court, the Court found that the Respondent violated the Family Violence Act by committing violence and placing his spouse in reasonable fear of her safety.  Notably, as Respondent’s attorney emphasized, there was no corroborating photographic or other evidence as the abuse took place outside the presence of third parties.  In spite of the lack of corroborating evidence, the witnesses for the Respondent were impeached on cross examination undermining their credibility.  The Court awarded a Protective Order to WWHGD’s client enjoining her husband from 1) coming within 200 yards and, 2) further threatening or harming her.  The Court also ordered Respondent to pay child support.

Nick stated, “My wife, Katie Bates, who is on the Board of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and I, as well as our respective law firms, are committed to helping victims of domestic violence through programs like AVLF’s Safe and Stable Families Project.  We are very pleased with the Court’s ruling and urge other attorneys to get involved via AVLF or other worthwhile programs.”

For more information about AVLF (click here)

For more information about Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (click here)