Josh Swiger Named: "Judge Glenda Hatchett  - Volunteer of the Year 2012"

Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial attorney Josh Swiger received the distinction of being named the Judge Glenda Hatchett Volunteer of the Year for 2012 for his work with the Georgia Truancy Intervention Project. Each year, one supporter of the Truancy Intervention Project is selected as the Volunteer of the Year for advancing the group’s mission statement of providing advocacy and resources for Georgia’s children to prevent school failure.

The Truancy Intervention Project was founded in 1991 by former Fulton County Juvenile Court Judge Glenda Hatchett and Terry Walsh, Esq., then President of the Atlanta Bar Association. The Project strives to provide early intervention for children both in Atlanta and Fulton County Schools who are chronically absent and who become involved with the Fulton County Juvenile Court. Volunteers are paired with children and their families in an effort to reduce absenteeism rates and improve school performance. The organization touts an 88% success rate, and eleven other Georgia counties have modeled programs around the Truancy Intervention Project. Learn more at www.truancyproject.org

Mr. Swiger has represented more than 40 clients through the Project over the last five years, with the majority not having any further truancy or juvenile court issues. He is a regular at the Court and has shown steadfast commitment to each client. Recently, a Truancy Intervention Project client expressed an interest in becoming an attorney after watching one of Mr. Swiger’s courtroom performances.