Page 41 - 2025 May June Magazine

Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers is
a diverse, efficient team of 57+ attorneys
and staff, respected in Pierce County
for professional service, accessibility,
and connection to the community.
We provide free civil legal aid to low-
income individuals and families facing
eviction, domestic violence, and other
issues affecting basic human needs which
require resolution within our legal system.
Our work disrupts systemic inequity and
white supremacy by leveling the playing
field; we bridge the justice gap to empower
intentionally marginalized communities
without means to assert their rights when
faced with critical civil legal issues.
Recognizing that legal practice always
involves the exercise of power with
systemic consequences, we work
to develop new relationship-based
possibilities in the fight for justice, with
the goal of focusing our work most
effectively to empower client communities
through holistic advocacy, education, and
legal representation. We meet our clients
where they live, providing hundreds
of ‘outside-the-law-office’ points of
contact annually targeted at underserved
neighborhoods, as well as creating,
developing and maintaining effective
direct referral partnerships with other
community service providers serving
specific client communities.
Our board members are a vital part of
maintaining this critical access providing
strategic governance, mission-based
leadership, and fiduciary oversight, in
partnership with our Executive Director/
Chief Executive Officer (ED/CEO).We’re
looking for individuals with integrity,
credibility, and a passion for improving
the lives of our clients by fulfilling our
mission. We’re looking for a commitment
to and understanding of our client
population based on lived or professional
experience. We are also looking for a
person who can collaborate, respectfully
listen to opposing views, and nurture
trust and relationships within diverse
communities.
Skillsets: The
ideal board
structure
Contact information for
Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers:
Melisa Evangelos, Executive Director:
mevangelos@tacomaprobono.org
Laurie Davenport, Communications Director:
laurie@tacomaprobono.org
Melissa Wolkenhauer, Manager, Volunteer Legal Program:
melissaw@tacomaprobono.org
will have a
diverse range
of backgrounds and skillsets. According
to our bylaws, four board members
must be from the legal community,
while the remaining board may add
members with expertise in nonprofit
work, social services, government, or
business. Our strategic decisions would
be well informed by professionals in real
estate, finance, social services, housing,
nonprofit management, and project
management.
Backgrounds: Our goal is a board
composition representative of the
communities we serve. We provide aid
in multiple languages, reaching out to
underserved communities most critically
affected by our pay to play legal system.
Partnerships and programs allow us to
gain trust in the LGBTQ+ community,
BIPOC communities, remote rural
communities, and immigrant
communities throughout the Pacific
Northwest. We welcome board members
who understand what it means to walk in
the shoes of our clients, whether through
professional work or personal lived
experience.
Board Experience: This is a time
of turnover of our original board,
A candidate with previous board
experience who could step into an officer
role would be of great service.
Dedication: While the time
commitment required of our board is not
as demanding as some, we are looking
for members who will consistently attend
and actively participate throughout
the year. The ED/CEO requires active
partnership with the board to be able
to make timely strategic decisions and
ensure we meet all our fiduciary and
governance requirements. We do not
however, ask our board to engage in
fundraising.
PRO BONO NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22,
2025
5pm - 7pm
Tacoma Art Museum
Sponsorship opportunities are
available! Contact Communications
Director Laurie Davenport, laurie@
tacomaprobono.org, to get your name
on the event early for maximum
marketing effect.
LOOKING
FOR A WAY
TO HAVE AN
IMPACT?
Consider
becoming
a volunteer
and working
directly with
our clients!
You can
join others
in participating in existing clinics
or develop your own volunteer
opportunity – we will support you.
Contact Melissa Wolkenhauer,
Manager, Volunteer Legal Program:
melissaw@tacomaprobono.org.
Laurie Davenport
is the Director
of Development
& Outreach for
Tacomaprobono.
M a y /J u n e 2 0 2 5 | P I E R C E C O U N T Y L A W Y E R 4 1