Montana Lawyer February/March 2024

PRO BONO CHRONICLES MLSA, group of lawyers team up for revival of in-person Helena Family Law Clinic

By Ellie Webster Montana Legal Services Association

Kenzie Heimbach from Jackson Murdo & Grant, along with support from Justice for Montanans AmeriCorps member, Michael Gray. The necessity of establishing the clinic was evident, addressing a need not only in Helena but across Montana. While vol unteer phone advice programs offering legal advice exist, the unique aspect of the clinic lies in providing in-person assistance, recognizing the significance of personal interaction. Clinics are scheduled on the first Tuesday of each month, creating a regular and accessible avenue for those seeking legal assistance. Clinics are held in the evening, to provide both clients and volunteers with time outside of regular working hours to participate. MLSA screens clients for finan cial eligibility, ensuring that those approved are matched with a pro bono attorney for one hour of free legal assistance.

I reflect on how enriching it is to witness clients who are confidently able to proceed pro se after having an hour to review their legal questions with an attorney. In addition to in-person clinic oppor tunities, MLSA offers statewide pro bono opportunities, training, and mentorship. Volunteers can participate in options that work with their schedules, varying from providing clients with full representation to limited scope assistance. MLSA offers volunteers free CLE training, malpractice insurance, and mentorship upon request. Anticipating further development, the program aims to garner increased participa tion from fellow attorneys in Helena, show casing the growing impact and importance of this vital community service. If you are interested in volunteering at the Helena Family Law Clinic or otherwise, please reach out to Ellie Webster, Pro Bono Coordinator at MLSA. Ellie Webster is the pro bono coor dinator at Montana Legal Services Association. You can reach her at eweb ster@mtlsa.org or 406-442-9830 ext.151

The Helena Family Law Clinic has a successful history of providing in-person family law legal assistance to Lewis and Clark County residents. After pausing the in-person clinic in 2020, Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) received inter est from the community, prompting the clinics’ revival in September of 2023. During this time, MLSA continued to serve clients statewide through the Pro Bono Connect phone advice project. The return of the in-person clinic is a joint project between MLSA, Erin Lyndes from Jackson Murdo & Grant, and Trish Klanke from Drake Law Firm. Their col laboration consists of monthly volunteer ing at the clinics and extends to recruiting local volunteer attorneys. As a result, there has been strong engagement of dedicated Helena area family law attorneys participat ing in the project. In addition to pro bono attorney participation, the clinic benefits from the assistance of volunteer paralegal,

BETTR SECTION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM BETTR SECTION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM BETTR SECTION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM Volunteerism plays a central role in the clinic’s operation. Volunteers go above and beyond, working to provide essential legal aid to those in need. During each clinic, BETTR SECTION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

WWW.MONTANABAR.ORG Providing limited-scope input within the mentor’s discretion, a mentor from the Business, Estates, Trusts, Tax and Real Property Section may be able to help. To learn more, or to find a mentor, email Brand Boyar, Mentor Program Chair of the BETTR Section, at bboyar@wordenthane.com . NEW TO TRANSACTIONAL PRACTICE? DON’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ANSWERS? Providing limited-scope input within the mentor’s discretion, a mentor from the Business, Estates, Trusts, Tax and Real Property Section may be able to help. To learn more, or to find a mentor, email Providing limited-scope input within the mentor’s discretion, a mentor from the Business, Estates, Trusts, Tax and Real Property Section may be able to help. To learn more, or to find a mentor, email Brand Boyar, Mentor Program Chair of the BETTR Section, at bboyar@wordenthane.com . NEW TO TRANSACTIONAL PRACTICE? DON’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ANSWERS? NEW TO TRANSACTIONAL PRACTICE? DON’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ANSWERS?

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