Dozens of Lafayette lawyers took time Wednesday morning to remember why they entered the profession during the annual Champions of Justice breakfast celebration.
The event honors attorneys who have performed pro bono work for underprivileged clients.

This year, 18 lawyers met the award criteria, with five other attorneys receiving special recognition.

"As lawyers and judges, we are all united by our common core values. We all believe in the justice system and recognize that the judicial system works best when all parties are represented by counsel," said Jack McElligott, president of the Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation. "Working together through our Lafayette Volunteer Lawyer Program, we can increase access to justice for the underprivileged in our community."
Last year, Lafayette volunteer lawyers helped 603 clients, said Marianna Broussard, chairperson of the Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers Program.

The Protective Order Panel, which takes direct referrals from Faith House, helped 115 domestic violence victims obtain protective orders, and the Help Program served 328 homeless citizens by answering common legal questions and helping them obtain identification documents.

Elwood Cahill, president of the Louisiana Bar Foundation, reminded those gathered that the pro bono work they do is "truly God's work."

"I think lawyers have long enjoyed a privilege, and with that privilege comes a responsibility to make those skills available to everyone," Cahill said.

McElligott noted that of the 18 attorneys honored, nearly all of them were members of the Young Lawyers Association.

"This is great for our legal community and a great start to their profession," McElligott said. "You are indeed the champions of justice in our legal community."