DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis will be named the 2009 Champion for Change at the May 7 Champions for Change luncheon at Twelve Hotel and Residence in Atlantic Station in Atlanta.

Ellis will be recognized for his long-standing support of the Decatur-based Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, which hosts the annual luncheon.

Jean Douglas, the WRC’s executive director, said that Ellis has been supportive of the center’s work with victims of domestic violence ever since he joined the DeKalb Board of Commissioners.

“He fought for our funding every year and he made domestic violence one of his campaign platforms when he was running for CEO,” she said.

King and Spalding attorneys Joy White, Michael Weiss and Bill Hoffman will also receive the first-ever Clarence Seeliger Local Justice Award at the event, which starts at 11 a.m.

The three lawyers helped a Women’s Resource Center client, who fled violence in her African homeland, receive asylum in the United States.

There will also be a silent auction that includes an original invitation to President Barack Obama’s Inauguration signed by Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, domestic and international vacations, airline tickets, event tickets, jewelry, gift cards and autographed sports memorabilia.

The Twelve Hotel is at 361 Seventh St. N.W. in Atlanta.

For more information or ticket prices, visit www.wrcd.org or call 404-370-7670.