Mayor Appoints Tenant-Rights Lawyer to Atlanta Judgeship
Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta has selected former tenant-rights attorney Pierce Hand Seitz for a city judge position, as reported by the mayor’s office on Tuesday. In his previous service, Seitz lent his expertise to the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation’s (AVLF) Safe and Stable Homes Project as a co-director. The project offers free representation to low-income tenants, allowing them to contest unlawful evictions and demand necessary home maintenance from landlords.
A Strategic Appointment for Tenants’ Safety
Courtney English, the principal policy advisor of Mayor Dickens, opined that city judges remain instrumental in holding landlords accountable. He views this appointment as a reflection of the mayor’s dedication to ensuring secure living conditions for Atlanta residents.
Seitz is expected to preside over code enforcement cases within the Atlanta Municipal Court’s spectrum, including adjudicating on instances of property owners disregarding necessary maintenance standards.
Seitz’s Legal Experience and Contributions
Prior to this appointment, Seitz’s legal career involves various key roles such as a senior assistant district attorney for Fulton County, a housing staff attorney at AVLF, a business litigation associate at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, a corporate law firm, and as a teacher in Atlanta Public Schools. Seitz graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University and acquired his law degree from Georgia State University.
Mayor Dickens’ office acknowledged the vast experience Seitz brings to the bench, particularly evident from his extensive civil housing litigation practice. Moreover, as a supervisor and manager, he offered free legal representation to hundreds of Atlantans unable to afford an attorney.
As a resident of Peoplestown and Spanish speaker, Seitz is uniquely positioned to understand and represent a diverse range of constituents. Additionally, he makes history as the first openly LGBTQ judge on the Atlanta Municipal Court bench.
A Champion for Low-Income Families
Michael Lucas, AVLF’s executive director, lauds Seitz’s appointment, highlighting his steadfast commitment to Atlanta families, and more specifically to low-income tenants. Lucas expressed confidence that Judge Seitz will vigilantly enforce housing code standards to combat the adverse effects of substandard living conditions on students, families, and communities.
Leading the Safe and Secure Housing Initiative
The city’s Safe and Secure Housing initiative, launched a year ago to address properties with high numbers of code violations or violent crime, may find a powerful ally in Seitz. As part of this initiative, the city added more staff and increased funding for code enforcement, litigation related to it, and case management.
As a presiding judge in code enforcement cases, Seitz may order the condemnation and demolition of properties failing to meet the necessary codes, as Chief Judge Christopher Portis did with the problematic Forest Cove Apartments last year.
The appointment is seen as a significant step towards improving housing conditions in Atlanta and ensuring the rights of tenants are protected in the city’s court system. Pier Hand Seitz is set to take a lead role in creating safe, affordable housing for Atlanta’s residents.
