Page 6 - Pierce County Lawyer - July August 2025
P. 6
PRESIDENT'S PAGE
I want to gently
encourage you
to share your
experiences—not
for praise, but for
purpose. It can spark
connection, courage,
and community in
ways you may never
expect.
A Call to Action:
Share Your Time, Your Stories, and Your Heart
Summertime in Pierce County means
longer days, brighter evenings—and,
unfortunately, a seasonal dip in
volunteer engagement. It’s a trend we see
across many sectors, but it hits especially
hard in legal services. Across Washington,
volunteer legal providers report an
average of 7% attorney engagement per
county. In Pierce County, it’s currently
just 2%.
That number doesn’t sit right with me. It
doesn’t reflect the generous, thoughtful,
justice-driven attorneys I’ve met
throughout this community. I can’t help
but wonder if the issue is not a lack of
service—but a lack of storytelling.
Many of the attorneys who give the
most are the least likely to talk about it.
I respect that. We’re not in this for the
applause. I want to gently encourage you
to share your experiences—not for praise,
but for purpose. It can spark connection,
courage, and community in ways you
may never expect. Full disclosure: I will
probably applaud you anyway. I’ll do my
best to minimize the hugs and awkward
back pats—I respect personal space—but
please know how much I mean it when I
say "thank you."
When you talk about your volunteer
work—whether it’s helping at a
Family Law Clinic, offering advice at
a neighborhood legal night, or giving
someone a ride to court—you show
others what’s possible. You might inspire a
colleague. You might introduce someone
to a cause they didn’t know they cared
about. You might connect a fellow
attorney with a community they didn’t
realize needed them.
The good news? Tacomaprobono is
making it easier than ever to say yes.
Check out their website tacomaprobono.
org or their Facebook page for
information on Legal Aid Pop-Up Clinics.
They’re bringing clinics to neighborhoods
across Pierce County—including
Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor, Tillicum,
Lakewood… using libraries, community
centers, and civic centers. That means no
more battling downtown parking just to
do good. You might even help launch a
clinic in your own backyard.
You don’t need to volunteer weekly—or
even monthly. One annual event could be
the spark of hope your community needs.
2025 volunteer opportunities are
more flexible than ever. Here are some
options:
Offer advice in person, by phone,
or over video—on your schedule
Sign up for in-person clinics
(ask about Family Law Day and
Pop-Up Clinics!)
Shadow an experienced attorney
to try something new
Start a clinic or event in your area
You can even earn up to 24 CLE credits
per year through pro bono work!
Areas of need include: Family Law, name
changes, Guardianship, Estate Planning,
Probate, debt issues, Bankruptcy,
Protection Orders, Immigration,
Employment, Real Estate, Adoption,
Second Parent Adoptions, Landlord/
Tenant—and maybe even bird law. (Okay,
probably not bird law. But I can dream.)
If your area of expertise isn’t listed,
this could be your moment to shine.
Let Tacomaprobono know what you’re
passionate about—they’ll help you turn it
into a meaningful service event.
All pro bono work through
Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers
includes malpractice coverage, training,
mentorship, and client screening. You
focus on helping people—they’ll handle
the rest.
Questions?
Contact Melissa Wolkenhauer,
Volunteer Program Manager, at
melissaw@tacomaprobono.org.
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