Michael Waller
Executive Director
Michael Waller leads the Georgia Appleseed team in the development of innovative policy solutions and tools to keep Georgia’s children safe at home and in school, and out of the criminal justice system.
Michael is a frequent speaker on the devastating consequences of exclusionary school discipline, poor school climate, and unhealthy housing on marginalized children, particularly children in poverty, children of color, and children and youth in foster care.
Prior to starting with Appleseed as Director of Projects in 2018, Michael was a prosecuting attorney at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for eight years, leading investigations and lawsuits across the country to stop companies and individuals from defrauding economically vulnerable consumers. Before the FTC, Michael was a staff attorney at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, representing indigent clients in housing, domestic violence, and consumer rights cases. He came to Legal Aid from WilmerHale, an international law firm based in Washington, DC.
Michael graduated with a B.A. from University of the South (Sewanee), an M.A. in international affairs from Syracuse University (Maxwell School), an M.T.S. in theological studies from Vanderbilt University Divinity School, and a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law.
