On Monday, Legal Services Alabama (LSA) issued a statement welcoming Donovan McGuire, a 2007 graduate of Southside High School, as the organization’s Rural Economic Improvement Project (REIP) Staff Attorney.

Donovan, who has worked for the Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless and Cahaba Center for Mental Health, stated that returning to the legal field, as well as his hometown, was always part of his plans for the future.

“My goal was to come back to Selma and support and serve my community,” McGuire said. “[LSA] gives me both components of being an attorney and serving my community here in Selma.”

McGuire’s current areas of practice include cases related to wage garnishment, domestic violence, evictions and social security insurance (SSI) cessation and collection.

“I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer,” McGuire said. “It’s been the only career path that I’ve wanted to pursue. My passion is wanting to serve the public. Public service is befitting for me and still allows me to fulfill my dream of being a lawyer. I live by the credo ‘service is the price you pay for the space you occupy.’”

McGuire was the second to youngest of eight children and stated that he drew his biggest inspiration from his mother.

“Just to see my mother battle adversity – growing up, she inspired me,” McGuire said. “She always had the motto of ‘pursuing education.’ My mother has always supported me in that. My mother knew I wanted to be a lawyer at a young age, so she always supported me, pushing me in that direction.”

McGuire earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, with an emphasis in legal studies, from Auburn University in 2013 and a law degree from the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2019.

Beyond practicing law, McGuire is deeply involved in the community as a member of the Delta Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, which sponsors a number of community service projects throughout the area.

As LSA’s REIP Staff Attorney, McGuire will be helping to improve legal services for more than 50 rural counties across the state – the program is designed to address legal economic issues throughout the Black Belt by providing collaboration with community and statewide partners, financial institutions and volunteer lawyers.

LSA also welcomed new Managing Attorney Elizabeth Hollie to its Selma office.

Hollie, who began with LSA in March 2017, worked as REIP Project Staff Attorney before being named to her new position earlier this month.

Hollie’s specialty areas include Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosure, repossession, housing, divorces, SSI cessation and other public benefits and she already has an eye toward expanding the organization’s work in the area.

“My plans are to build long-term relationships with groups and organizations in our area,” Hollie said. “Legal Services handles the legal needs while others handle specialty areas. Our goal is to reach as many individuals as possible through our service and the services of others, including private attorneys who would volunteer to represent individuals. I believe all of us working together will create a positive change in the minds, hearts and lives of people, creating a long-lasting ripple effect.”

Hollie also offer praise for McGuire, who she says has proven himself to be dedicated to Selma and the entire Black Belt.

“[McGuire] made it clear that he always wanted to return to Selma,” Hollie said. “He brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to the program on how to reach the counties our office serves. He has proven himself to be a hardworking attorney in the short time he has been with our office I am looking forward to what I know will be a successful journey for Attorney McGuire with our office.”