By Joan Tierney

On April 21, approximately 150 volunteer attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and law students of the Neighborhood Legal Clinics (NLC), their guests and its supporters gathered at The Seattle Rep’s Bagley Wright Theatre to be honored and thanked for their contributions to the now 30 year old tradition of providing advice and consultation at its 25 legal clinics. To commemorate this special 30th Anniversary, honorees were treated to a lively reception of great food and music followed by an exquisite performance of the play, It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues, outlining the story of the evolution of the Blues.

Welcomed by long-time volunteer attorneys Don Heyrich, Greenwood Clinic Coordinator, and John Widell, Southeast Clinic Coordinator and KCB Foundation member, guests were reminded of the beginning of NLC 30 years ago with the creation of the Country Doctor Clinic founded in 1974 by volunteer attorneys Joseph Gaffney, Phillip Cutler, and Joseph Murphy. Joe Gaffney, who is still a volunteer at that first clinic, was given special recognition as the program’s co-founder and for providing 30 years of services to NLC as a volunteer.

To honor and celebrate Joe Gaffney’s 30 year commitment to NLC, he was presented with a plaque in acknowledgement of his vision for justice within the neighborhood setting. In recognition of his role an award in his name, The Joseph Gaffney Outstanding Volunteer Award, was created to honor future volunteers.

The event continued with the Honorable Gregory Canova, King County Superior Court Judge, thanking the volunteers for their contributions, stressing the importance of pro bono work, and addressing the barriers and limited access to justice that exists today.

After 30 years, the 25 clinics are going strong with 415 volunteer attorneys and 130 non-attorney volunteers. In 2003, they provided over 6,000 hours of service, at an approximate value of $940,500. Of the 6,735 clients assisted in 2003, 50% were people of color and 57% were women a tribute to the dedication to diversity by the KCBA/NLC.

Thanks to all the volunteers, with special thanks to Clinic Coordinators, NLC Committee, community agency partners, YLD, KCB Foundation, City of Seattle, IOLTA, and to the event sponsors, the Seattle Rep, Hale’s Brewery, Magnolia Thriftway and Sound Legal & Copy, Inc. for making this event and the NLC a success for 30 years! n