Pro bono pros: Montana attorneys honored for giving back
Thursday, March 16, 2006
- Organization: Helena Independent Record
Helena attorney Sara Berg feels right at home in a courtroom pleading the cases of her high-power, corporate clients.
And lawyer Holly Franz is in her comfort zone arguing the finer points of water law in briefs and at hearings.
While the women pursue different specialties in their legal careers, their priorities converge when it comes to using their skills to give back to the community.
Tonight, they will be honored for that commitment by the members of the First Judicial District's Pro Bono Program, who have selected the women as the 2005 Pro Bono Award winners.
Chief Justice Karla Gray will be on hand at a gathering at Miller's Crossing to present Berg and Franz with their awards.
Beth Baker, chairwoman of the State Bar's Access to Justice Committee, and a local pro bono program participant, explains that this year marks the ninth occasion that the group has recognized its exemplary members in such a way.
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According to Baker, all area lawyers are encouraged to donate some of their time throughout the course of the year to assist low-income clients in need.
What form that involvement takes varies among attorneys, and can range from direct representation in court to sharing their expertise in some other manner, such as teaching bankruptcy or divorce clinics.
"There is a tremendous need in the community for these kinds of services," said Baker. "As lawyers, we have special training…to go into a courtroom. If I can help someone get access to the courts who otherwise wouldn't have it, I think that's important."
Berg, who is employed by Browning, Kalecyzc, Berry and Hoven, says she believes taking such an interest in the community is important also.
In addition to spending 86 billable hours working on pro bono cases in 2005, Berg serves as board president of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
According to Berg, handling pro bono cases provides her with a change of pace - she said she spends so much time working with large companies in her practice that it's nice to have the opportunity to work one-on-one with her pro bono clients.
"It gives me real people to talk to," she said, adding that the pro bono work allows her to keep a wider variety of her legal skills honed than she would be able to under normal circumstances.
Franz, who has handled pro bono cases throughout her 20-year law career, agrees that her commitment to pro bono work is largely motivated by the people she can help.
While many of the pro bono cases she takes involve family issues - often unhappy ones such as divorce and parenting plans - she believes her work is important.
"When you have a law degree, you can really make a difference in people's lives," Franz said.
Both attorneys said Wednesday that they are honored by the recognition they are receiving from the members of the pro bono program, but both emphasized that they couldn't volunteer their time without the support of their co-workers.
Berg said her firm's commitment to the community allows her to reach out through pro bono work.
Franz, who is now her own boss at Franz and Driscoll, said the firm she used to work at also strongly supported the cause and helped to instill that priority in her.
According to Baker, about a quarter of Lewis and Clark County's roughly 400 attorneys actively pursue pro bono work.
"We have pretty good representation," she said. "But it could be better."
What form that involvement takes varies among attorneys, and can range from direct representation in court to sharing their expertise in some other manner, such as teaching bankruptcy or divorce clinics.
"There is a tremendous need in the community for these kinds of services," said Baker. "As lawyers, we have special training…to go into a courtroom. If I can help someone get access to the courts who otherwise wouldn't have it, I think that's important."
Berg, who is employed by Browning, Kalecyzc, Berry and Hoven, says she believes taking such an interest in the community is important also.
In addition to spending 86 billable hours working on pro bono cases in 2005, Berg serves as board president of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
According to Berg, handling pro bono cases provides her with a change of pace - she said she spends so much time working with large companies in her practice that it's nice to have the opportunity to work one-on-one with her pro bono clients.
"It gives me real people to talk to," she said, adding that the pro bono work allows her to keep a wider variety of her legal skills honed than she would be able to under normal circumstances.
Franz, who has handled pro bono cases throughout her 20-year law career, agrees that her commitment to pro bono work is largely motivated by the people she can help.
While many of the pro bono cases she takes involve family issues - often unhappy ones such as divorce and parenting plans - she believes her work is important.
"When you have a law degree, you can really make a difference in people's lives," Franz said.
Both attorneys said Wednesday that they are honored by the recognition they are receiving from the members of the pro bono program, but both emphasized that they couldn't volunteer their time without the support of their co-workers.
Berg said her firm's commitment to the community allows her to reach out through pro bono work.
Franz, who is now her own boss at Franz and Driscoll, said the firm she used to work at also strongly supported the cause and helped to instill that priority in her.
According to Baker, about a quarter of Lewis and Clark County's roughly 400 attorneys actively pursue pro bono work.
"We have pretty good representation," she said. "But it could be better."
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