September 2004
Lawyer helped establish free legal clinic, featured in TV 'Wisconsin
Lawyers Make A Difference' spot
The State Bar is featuring Eau Claire attorney Michael F. O'Brien in
its sixth 30-second television spot, airing in August and September,
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 the public
free advice on a variety of legal issues. The clinic is offered monthly
for one and one-half hours at the public library. Volunteers from the
Eau Claire County Bar provide general advice to help people resolve
their legal issues free of charge.
"The idea to create the clinic evolved when a local doctor opened a
free medical clinic," says O'Brien. "Evening hours are 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 with the local bar's
support we don't have difficulty finding volunteers. 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. Equally important, Mike
continues to be an active volunteer, frequently attending both clinics
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
clinics offer Eau Claire and Chippewa area 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 Eau Claire and Chippewa County Bar associations each received
$2,000 from the State Bar's Local Bar Grant Competition program, which
awards funds to local and specialty bar associations that develop and
produce public service projects.
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 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 to poor families
who cannot afford to hire a lawyer; John Mitby, Madison, for helping to
make Reddan Soccer Park in Verona a reality for thousands of children;
and Dan Wood, Friendship, for helping his neighbors with their legal
needs in the aftermath of a devastating tornado.
For more information about the Branding the Profession initiative and
to view the TV spots, visit www.wisbar.org/branding.
Inside the Bar
