Pro bono attorneys provided free legal advice to 26 in first quarter of '15

In the first three months of 2015, volunteer attorneys with the Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee have provided free legal assistance to 26 people with limited income.

“We are so proud of the attorneys who regularly donate their time to help low-income individuals understand their legal rights and the court system,” Judge Barbara Crowder stated in a press release. Crowder is chair of the circuit’s pro bono committee.

Pro bono attorneys this year have advised litigants on subjects ranging from family law to small claims cases. Those who provided free appointments so far in 2015 include: Brad Allen, Rob Bas, Beth Bauer, Andrew Caruthers, Jack Cranley, Tanja Cook, Joe Hill, Derek Filcoff, Chris Kovach, Caroline Karsten, Amy Meyer, Bryant Michael, Ian Murphy, Rob Priztker, Jeremy Sackett, Maureen Schuette, Marleen Suarez, Chris Threlkeld, Mary Beth Williams, Ron Williams and Audra Zobrist.

A number of attorneys also volunteered to teach one-hour sessions on changes in the law to other lawyers offering free legal information and volunteering as mediators and guardians ad litem for the Family Division.

In January, Leonard Berg explained the new power of attorney legislation. In February, Judge Elizabeth Levy discussed the changes in the law on maintenance. In March, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Smith taught others about veteran’s legal needs.

The one-hour sessions are sponsored by the pro bono committee, the Madison County Bar Association and the Public Interest Law Initiative, or PILI.

The pro bono committee offers free 30-minute appointments at the Legal Advice Center of the Madison County Law Library for family law or general civil topics including collection, landlord tenant, small claims and any other civil area of law. No criminal law appointments are handled at the clinic.

Free appointments are only offered for those of limited incomes and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.