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  • September 01, 2004

    Inside the Bar 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.

    Inside the Bar
    September 2004

    Lawyer who helped establish free legal clinic, featured in TV spot

    Attorney Michael F. O'BrienThe 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.


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