Kimberly-Clark’s Legal Team in Neenah, from left: Joe Foster, Ray VanEperen, Lanette Burton, Atty. Joe Cabelka, Kenzie Kolb, Atty. Mary Jo Schmidt, LEAVEN Client Services Director Liz Schneider, Carolee Baumgart, LEAVEN Executive Director Mary Parsons, Atty. Mike Kubicki, Cindy Trudell, Atty. Juan Ramirez, Atty. Lillie Conrad, Atty. Jeff Curtin, Kim Hofacker, and Atty. Luke Kohtala.
April 19, 2017 – When Kimberly-Clark’s Legal Team in Neenah was looking for ways to get more involved in their community, a local charity called LEAVEN (Limited Emergency Assistance Valley Ecumenical Network) seemed liked the perfect fit.
LEAVEN provides emergency financial assistance to individuals struggling to meet their basic needs who have nowhere else to turn to for help. The staff at LEAVEN consists primarily of volunteers who help these clients manage through situational crises such as job loss, health issues, and divorce, along with the unexpected expenses associated with these crises.
Helping With Legal Issues
Many concerns facing LEAVEN clients often carry over to legal issues. LEAVEN was not set up to serve its clients in this area and usually referred them to other resources within the community. When the Kimberly-Clark Legal Team discovered the lack of legal resources, it was a perfect opportunity for team members to use their skill sets and backgrounds to help these clients.
Jeff Brown, Harvard 1989, is manager of the State Bar Pro Bono Program, liaison to the Legal Assistance Committee, and staff for the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission. He can be reached by email or by phone at (608) 250-6177.
In February 2016, Kimberly-Clark’s Neenah Legal Team of attorneys and paralegals began staffing a Legal Clinic at LEAVEN one afternoon a week. Typically, two volunteers meet with three to five clients per week to assist with legal questions relating to landlord/tenant, divorce, bankruptcy, and employment.
“Caring is part of our culture at Kimberly-Clark and we extend that care to our employees, customers, consumers, and community,” said Jeff Curtin, Kimberly-Clark vice president and deputy general counsel. “I am proud that our team has helped expand the services that LEAVEN is able to offer by providing legal advice on matters that are so critical to its clients.”
More than 20 Volunteers
Since the LEAVEN Legal Clinic was established last year, the team has helped more than 150 clients. In addition to the effect of the team’s pro bono work on their community, the number of volunteers has grown to more than 20. While sometimes difficult to counsel clients on different legal areas, group members are gratified to have helped LEAVEN clients move forward in a positive direction.
Find Pro Bono Opportunities in Your Area
To find a pro bono opportunity in your area, visit the Pro Bono: A Call to Serve page on WisBar.org, where you can search the directory for volunteer opportunities by county, by keyword, by the type of service or clients involved, and the program's name. Email the State Bar's pro bono coordinator, Jeff Brown, if you need help finding a project that fits your interests, or if you have any additions or corrections for the directory.
For a pro bono opportunity you can do at home, read more about Wisconsin Legal Advice Online.
