Troutman Strategies’ Pro Bono Work Helps Secure Passage of Rio’s Law in Georgia

June 16, 2026
By Eric Maxwell

ATLANTA – Troutman Strategies Manager Nicole Goshorn partnered with Just Bee, an organization working to make the world autism-friendly, and Connor Tomlinson, known from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, to support the development and passage of Rio’s Law, a new Georgia law designed to promote safer, more informed interactions between individuals with autism and law enforcement officers.

On May 6, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed Rio’s Law, which was advanced during the most recent session of the Georgia General Assembly. The impactful legislation introduces an optional specialty license plate for individuals with autism or their caregivers, providing a voluntary way to indicate that a vehicle occupant may have autism, and establishes mandatory training for law enforcement officers to help them better understand and safely interact with individuals on the autism spectrum.

Goshorn supported the effort throughout the legislative process, including drafting the legislation, identifying and engaging bill sponsors in the Georgia General Assembly, working with legislative leadership and stakeholders to build support, and assisting with efforts leading to the bill’s signing into law. Troutman Strategies chair Robert Willis and principal Ragen Marsh also worked with Goshorn to help secure passage of the law.

Each year, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys dedicate thousands of pro bono hours in support of nonprofits, military veterans, children, the wrongfully convicted, civil rights and social justice initiatives, and many other causes. Learn more at troutman.com/pro-bono.

Troutman Strategies is a professional government affairs firm committed to providing solutions for business in the complex legislative and regulatory arenas. Troutman Strategies is a subsidiary of Troutman Pepper Locke, a law firm with more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices in the U.S. and UK, including the 10 largest U.S. legal markets. Learn more at troutmanstrategies.com.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.