Foster
Madison County attorneys who volunteer their time were recognized Oct. 25 during a luncheon sponsored by Heyl Royster, the Simmons Firm and the Madison County Bar Association.
The luncheon, held at the Edwardsville campus of Lewis & Clark Community College, coincided with National Pro Bono Week, Oct. 24-29.
Madison County Bar Association President Ron Foster said that more than 150 Madison County lawyers provide hundreds of hours of free legal help each year to those unable to afford an attorney.
In an effort to provide a coordinated community response to the demand for pro bono legal assistance, the Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee has been created and will pull together judges and lawyers to address a growing demand.
In announcing the new committee, Chief Judge Ann Callis noted there is an unmet need for legal assistance.
"With the increasing number of home foreclosures and job losses, the need for legal assistance continues to grow and the importance of attorney involvement in providing pro bono legal assistance becomes more critical," Callis said.