Page 23 - MGA Today - Fall 2016
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OUTSTANDING ALUMNA
Sheila Ogletree
Shelia Ogletree at the 2016 President’s Gala. JESSICA WHITLEY where she served to spearhead a number of
initiatives which have helped in countless ways to
In 1971, Shelia Ogletree enrolled at what was ensure that the courts of DeKalb County are
then known as Macon Junior College while she indeed providing equal protection to all. The
was still a student at Southwest High School in volunteer attorneys working within these
Macon. Taking advantage of the College’s honors programs have:
admission and dual enrollment programs,
Ogletree finished her associate’s degree in • Served as Guardian Ad Litem in contested
Sociology in 1973 and went on to a summa cum custody cases, working to safeguard the rights and
laude Political Science and Public Administration needs of the child in these difficult situations.
degree.
After completing her law degree, Ogletree • Assisted individuals with settling the estates
began the work that would define her career, of their loved ones through the Probate
taking a position as a staff attorney with the Information Center.
DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, where she
handled domestic relations cases as a volunteer • Educated residents as to their rights and
attorney for those who could not otherwise afford responsibilities when they find themselves party
legal counsel. to debt-collection lawsuits.
After 10 years as staff attorney, Ogletree was
named executive director of the Foundation, • Leveled the playing field in domestic abuse
cases by securing temporary protective orders and
seeing to it that the victim doesn’t start from a
disadvantage in the courtroom simply because
their abuser controls the household finances.
In her 30 years with the DeKalb
Volunteer Lawyers Foundation,
Shelia provided invaluable service
to the citizens and the courts of
DeKalb County, helped find justice
for those all-too-often ignored by
our legal system, and helped blaze
the trail for countless others to
follow in her footsteps of service.
Dr. Keith Moffett, president of the MGA
Alumni Association, said upon presenting the
award to Ogletree, “And to think that her
incredible journey began right here, at the College
she selected because she, as she said, ‘liked the feel
of the place. It was close to my home.”
Fall 2016 MGA TODAY 23
