We’ve been very fortunate to be part of the dedicated free Neighborhood Legal Clinics volunteer pro bono legal team, provided by the King County Neighborhood Legal Clinics, for over two decades. We are committed to providing free civil legal services to those with difficulty obtaining or paying for civil legal assistance. While there is a constitutional right for criminal defense, civil legal services are far more frequently needed but can be expensive and difficult for folks to obtain. Our state truly needs more legal volunteers! And yes, our community and society also need more volunteers in non-legal areas as well. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to take stock of the blessings we have and decide to give back to others less fortunate.
According to the Washington Legislature “civil legal aid services to indigent persons [are] an important component of the state’s responsibility to provide for the proper and effective administration of civil and criminal justice.” RCW 2.53.005. “Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to assist the provision of legal services to those unable to pay.” RPC 6.1. It is time to rededicate ourselves to service to our communities. Each of us should dedicate at least thirty hours to pro bono per year.
The impact pro bono Civil Legal Aid has on our communities cannot be understated. Volunteer attorneys and legal aid offices help people with basic human needs: shelter, sustenance, safety, health, education, employment, finances and child custody. The Civil Legal Aid study (from 2014) found 70% of low-income households in Washington State face at least one significant civil legal problem each year. While the average number of legal problems per household increased from 3.3 in 2003 to 9.3 in the 2014 survey.
“Every year Washington’s lowest income residents experience an onslaught of civil legal problems. A mother and her kids are evicted from their apartment following a domestic violence dispute. A family drowning in medical bills sees no other choice but bankruptcy. Low-wage workers do not get paid, or they have wages improperly withheld. Families are harassed by debt collection companies, often for non-existent debts. Children do not get the special educational services that they need and fall behind in school. Couples divorce and fight over child custody and family matters.”1
Why do we bother? If we can connect with, help and provide hope to those who often share with us just the tip of their personal iceberg, it’s a blessing. To watch someone, we helped leave with just a bit more spring in their step because they were heard, valued, empowered and given options when they didn’t think they had any, then we as volunteers are grateful.
Remember: “You make a living by what you get. But you make a life by what you give.”
Volunteering may not make you a better attorney, but it will help make you a better person.
And if you’re an attorney reading this, but would like to volunteer in non-legal ways, we encourage you to contact venues like United Way, nonprofits, schools, hospitals and libraries where your efforts will make a difference.
For attorneys looking to help with pro bono endeavors: King County Bar Association Pro Bono opportunities can be found on KCBA’s website at https://www.kcba.org/?pg=Pro-Bono-Services.
Wishing you a meaningful Thanksgiving and we look forward to your letters letting us know how you stepped up to help!
Russell Odell is currently an Administrative Law Judge; he is the 2013 KCBA Pro Bono Award recipient; former chair of the King County Bar’s Neighborhood Legal Clinics’ subcommittee and a former Pro Bono Committee Member. Russell also coached the Jefferson Community Club High School Mock Court Team for years and has volunteered with King County Bar Association’s Neighborhood Legal Clinics since 1998.
Michael Goldenkranz is retired and is the current King County Bar Association as well as Washington State Bar Association 2023 Pro Bono Award recipient. He has served as a co-coach for the Franklin High School Mock Court team; and served on KCBA’s Neighborhood Legal Clinics and Pro Bono Committees. Michael has volunteered for the Neighborhood Legal Clinics since 2004 and was previously a library homework helper as well as Powerful Schools and Mount Baker Community Club Board Member.
1 2015 Washinton State Civil Legal Needs Study Update: https://ocla.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/
2015/10/CivilLegalNeedsStudy_October2015_V21_Final10_14_15.pdf
