September 2004
Lawyer who helped establish free legal clinic, featured in TV
spot
The State Bar is featuring Eau Claire attorney Michael F.
O'Brien in its sixth 30-second television spot, airing in August,
highlighting lawyers who demonstrate exemplary commitment to community
or pro bono service.
O'Brien personifies the "Wisconsin Lawyers Make a Difference" TV
series through his long-time commitment to the citizens of Eau Claire
County. Concerned that area residents lacked access to basic legal
information, O'Brien and other area lawyers created the Eau Claire
County Bar Association Free Legal Clinic in 1997.
O'Brien led the effort to create the clinic, which offers advice and
consultation on a variety of issues providing general legal information
to members of the community. The clinic is offered monthly for one and
one-half hours at the public library. Volunteer attorneys provide
general advice in the following areas: divorce; family law; landlord/
tenant; small claims; civil litigation; real estate; wills and estates;
employment; contracts; consumer rights; and traffic and criminal issues.
The clinic does not represent anyone; it provides information, helps
with legal paperwork and provides guidance so people can represent
themselves in court. The clinic will not offer assistance if the clinic
attendee is represented by counsel.
"The idea to create the clinic evolved when a local doctor opened a
free medical clinic," says O'Brien. "Evening hours were important to
provide maximum accessibility for the public and since the courthouse is
often closed at night, the library was a logical location. Once the
library signed on, all we needed was lawyers and lawyers we have.
Approximately 50 volunteer lawyers provide services throughout the year
serving approximately 350 people. We help people from Eau Claire,
Chippewa Falls, and nearby rural communities."
"Mike was instrumental in the creation of Eau Claire's Free Legal
Clinic," says local attorney Peter E. Grosskopf. "Since its inception,
the clinic has been emulated by the Chippewa County Bar Association,
which now provides its own monthly clinic on an alternate night. Equally
important, Mike continues to be an active volunteer, frequently
attending the clinic as one of the volunteer attorneys."
"Mike O'Brien's actions are the essence of the State Bar's branding
initiative," says Public Image Committee Chair Kevin Palmersheim. "The
Free Legal Clinic offers Eau Claire lawyers the opportunity to get out
in the community and directly deliver the three key qualities the public
values most about lawyers - expert advice, problem-solving skills, and
community service. This is a perfect example of an outreach effort that
truly educates the public about the value lawyers bring to their
communities and even goes a step further by inspiring a sister bar
association to emulate the clinic."
The TV program, which kicked off in the spring, began airing in April
on WISC-TV3 and UPN-14 reaching 23 Wisconsin counties. Past TV spots
highlighted Dan Wood, Friendship, for offering his expertise to help his
neighbors with their legal needs in the aftermath of a devastating
tornado; Troy Mayne, Madison, for his work with Habitat for Humanity;
Lance Grady, Waukesha, and Dean Richards, Delafield, for their efforts
on their local fire department and a search and rescue dive team; Beth
Roney Drennan, Baraboo, for providing legal assistance in family law,
child support, and domestic abuse matters to poor families who cannot
afford to hire a lawyer; and John Mitby, Madison, for volunteering his
time and his knowledge to make the Reddan Soccer Park in Verona, Wis. a
reality for thousands of children.
Inside the Bar
