Page 14 - September2019_BarJournal

COLUMN CMBF PRESIDENT

LAWYERS

GIVING BACK

Patrick J . Krebs

e have all heard the saying, nonprofits who are serving those in need in our a 3Rs volunteer since its inception in 2006, I can tell
“To whom much is given, neighborhoods in the Reach Out: Legal Assistance you that the lawyer volunteers get as much, if not
much is expected.” In my for Nonprofits Program. more, out of the program than the more than 34,000
mind, that means if you Our colleagues also invest thousands of hours students we have helped over the years.
W have been blessed in your each year in Cleveland’s youth by participating in In addition to volunteering their time and legal
life with gifts and good fortune, you should use law-related education programs. They volunteer their skills, our colleagues also support the Cleveland
those gifts and that good fortune to help others. time as part of The 3Rs ‒ Rights, Responsibilities, Metropolitan Bar Foundation through generous
That saying is the premise of the Cleveland Realities Program where they visit area high schools contributions. The Bar Foundation uses those
Metropolitan Bar Association’s “Lawyers Giving to help students learn about the U.S. Constitution and contributions to fund the programs listed above, and
Back” public outreach and pro many more. Last year, our programs
bono legal service programs. We connected with more than 4,900
as attorneys are extremely fortunate, individuals in our community. In
and I believe that it is our duty and making a donation, you can select
responsibility to help lift up the less the Annual Fund, which supports
fortunate in our community. the Justice For All and Diversity
At the Cleveland Metropolitan & Inclusion Pipeline programs, or
Bar Foundation, we make it easy you can choose to give to a specific
for lawyers to give back in concrete program. Gifts can be made in tribute
and meaningful ways. Each year, to an individual as well. You can also
more than 1,000 lawyers and choose to make a sustaining gift to the
legal professionals give back to Bar Foundation by becoming a Bar
our community by providing Foundation Fellow and supporting
volunteer service in our pro bono our Endowment.
or public outreach programs. So, if you are looking to give back
No matter what your level of to this great community where we
experience, schedule, or interest, live, work, and play, consider giving
we have volunteer opportunities your time, talent, and treasure to
for you to share your legal skills. Taft’s 3Rs Team: Matthew Barbara, Will Doyle, Katelyn Evans, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar
Each year our colleagues Foundation. Take it from me, you
volunteer their time and talents Adrian Thompson, Alanna Guy, and Pat Krebs will be glad you did!
to help indigent and low income
individuals in the Cleveland Homeless Legal develop career planning skills. They mentor students
Assistance Program, Pro Se Divorce Clinics, and in high school and college who are interested in Patrick Krebs is a partner in the Cleveland office
the Pro Bono Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy By- careers in the law through diversity pipeline programs of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and is a member
Pass Programs. They help Cleveland’s vibrant like the Summer Legal Academy and the Stokes of the Litigation, Public Law, and Sports Law
arts community through the Volunteer for the Scholars Programs. And they serve as team advisors practice groups. He is the 2019‒2020 President
Arts Program and pro bono referrals assisting and competition judges for the Cleveland Mock Trial of the CMBF, a Fellow of the Foundation, and
artists and arts organizations. And they contribute and the Ohio Mock Trial for high school students a CMBA member. He can be reached at (216)
their time and energy by helping small, grassroots in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio. As 706-3867 or pkrebs@taftlaw.com.

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