Anita K. Bala

Anita K. Bala, a partner at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP in Atlanta, Georgia, brings knowledge to constitutional, employment and education law. With a rich tapestry of experience, she advocates for clients facing employment, civil rights and disability discrimination challenges. 

Ms. Bala’s portfolio includes cases centered around discrimination based on race, sex, age, national origin, religion and disability, affecting employees and students. Additionally, she has navigated complex cases of student sexual assault in educational institutions under federal Title IX, as well as civil suits related to police misconduct, often attracting media attention due to their high-profile nature.

As a member of Gregory Doyle's Education Law team, Ms. Bala is adept in civil litigation, special education and employment law. She has skillfully defended school districts in civil disputes, covering First Amendment issues, torts and Fair Dismissal Act cases. Her vibrant special education practice sees her guiding clients through Individualized Education Program meetings and due process hearings. She also lends her proficiency to transactional work, reviewing contracts for school district procurements, and regularly advising on governance and board policy matters.

Ms. Bala's academic path began with a B.A. in international studies from Emory University, following a J.D. cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law. Her studies took her across the pond to the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she delved into international history. 

During her law school years, Ms. Bala was actively involved in the Criminal Defense Clinic and the Educational Law and Policy Forum, contributing a scholarly article on alternative pathways to teacher certification. She also received a distinguished public interest law fellowship to pursue a criminal law internship in New York. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia and is authorized to practice in their state courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

Ms. Bala's career began in New York, where she prosecuted child abuse and neglect cases. Her decade-long defense of public entities nurtured a profound empathy for those needing services or justice but lacking the means to advocate for themselves. This calling led her to Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, where she is committed to helping individuals navigate and overcome legal hurdles.