This series is aimed at bringing attention to Nelson Mullins attorneys who are committed to pro bono work as a part of their legal practice.

We are pleased to shine a light on Atlanta senior associate Kristen Mella for her pro bono work with the City of Refuge in Atlanta’s Westside neighborhood.

Kristen is a commercial real estate attorney who concentrates in the areas of real estate acquisitions and dispositions, financing, development, and leasing. She has extensive experience in joint ventures and corporate matters pertaining to real estate. Additionally, Kristen has worked on numerous high-end residential transactions, including acquisitions and financing involving privacy trusts.

Describe a compelling pro bono matter in which you are involved.

A recent significant pro bono matter that I am working on involves a completed real estate transaction and a future lease-back option of the same real estate between two great Atlanta initiatives – the City of Refuge and the Atlanta Beltline. The City of Refuge is a longtime firm client, and it has been a joy to be involved with the nonprofit’s massive community revitalization effort to develop affordable housing and provide services and support to improve the lives of residents in the heart of Atlanta’s most struggling neighborhood.

What is most meaningful to you about your engagement? 

The most meaningful part of this engagement was working on a transaction to benefit both our client, the City of Refuge, and the Atlanta Beltline, two major city-enhancing nonprofits with overlapping missions to invest in and develop infrastructure aimed at spurring economic growth, supporting minority enterprises, and providing wealth building and affordable housing for communities. It was particularly gratifying for the leadership on the other side of the transaction to describe the deal we completed as “one of the least frenetic multimillion dollar transactions” in their career.

What impact has this work had on you personally?

This pro bono matter has provided me with the opportunity to build relationships with organizations and attorneys in Atlanta who are passionate about helping those in the community. I look forward to the growth of these relationships and future opportunities to provide beneficial assistance to those in need and the nonprofit organizations that do amazing work to revitalize our communities.