On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I am writing to extend condolences to the family, colleagues and many friends of attorney Marissa McCall Dodson, public policy director for the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, after her very untimely passing on May 21.

A Georgia Bar member since 2008, Ms. Dodson started her legal career with the Georgia Justice Project before joining the Southern Center in 2016. She was a force in criminal justice reform advocacy in our state. Her tireless efforts won the respect of Georgia lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle as well as leaders of the judiciary involved in the reform process. During this year’s session of the General Assembly, Ms. Dodson was instrumental in drafting and advocating for legislation to repeal the citizen’s arrest law in our state.