Spotlight on pro bono

As I reflect on my first 10 years as an attorney, I am humbled by the experiences I have had in representing indigent clients, and I am genuinely satisfied with the choices I have made.

Every single day, I have made a positive difference in the lives of my clients. I can't imagine a better feeling than that.

By the time a legal aid attorney gets involved, the situation has usually reached a crisis level. We meet people on some of the very worst days of their lives as they face the potential loss of children, homes, possessions or freedom.

Our efforts often dramatically improve the situation. When legally possible, we really do ride in on our white horses and save the day.

But even when we can't fix the problems, we are there with our clients to protect their rights, to help them understand what's happening, and to give them the comfort of knowing that they have done all they could do.

As a law student when I volunteered at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, I was able to help people get utilities back on after they had been turned off illegally. I helped people get critical benefits, like Medicaid and food stamps.

I helped resolve disputes with landlords, debt collectors and government agencies. As an attorney at Land of Lincoln, there were years when I exclusively represented victims of domestic abuse who needed protective orders, child custody and support orders.

At the public defender's office, there were years when I exclusively represented parents as they tried to improve their lives so their children could come home from foster care. More recently, I have represented defendants charged with criminal conduct in juvenile and adult court.

While my work has frequently been painful and frustrating, I would not trade these experiences. Since I was licensed in 1996, I have represented and advised thousands of people who would never have been able to afford to hire private attorneys.

I have helped clients achieve happy endings that could not have been achieved without legal representation. I have learned something new every single day. I honestly don't believe there have been any dull moments.

Throughout my career, I have worked closely with some of the most brilliant and compassionate attorneys in the state, including Joe Bartylak, George Bell, Valerie McWilliams and the late Russel Hoerbert -- all legal aid attorneys.

It seems impossible to measure or comprehend the good that a few determined people can make in the world.

I have also worked closely with private attorneys, particularly in the Decatur Bar Association and Champaign County Bar Association, who volunteer time and money to provide legal services for the poor.

I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of many members of the private bar, including Jeff Richardson in Macon County and Holly Jordan in Champaign County, who participated in pro bono programs consistently for several years before being asked to report it.

I believe that legal aid is probably the most important thing we can do as lawyers, but I don't believe that we all have to do it full-time. Private attorneys are critical in the mission, as well.

Legal aid attorneys could never come close to meeting the needs of the poor without the support of the private bar, and I thank all of you who have helped me achieve so much over the past 10 years.

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