May 15, 2024 – Philomena Kebec’s legal practice philosophy reflects the traditions in her community of caring for the most vulnerable and living a life of service.

“Come to Bad River any day of the week and you’ll see folks pulling extra hours to make things better for the kids and protect water for the whole wide world. It’s our way of life.”

Kebec of Odanah is the recipient of this year’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award. The award, presented by the State Bar’s Legal Assistance Committee, recognizes dedication to the development and delivery of legal services to low-income individuals or those who develop innovative ways to deliver volunteer legal services.

Kebec is the economic development coordinator for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior-Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Odanah, serving her tribe and community in legal and nonlegal capacities.

She is also an associate justice for the Leech Lake Tribal Appellate Court, and an instructor in Indian law at the University of Minnesota at Duluth.

“For me, this award recognizes my community – the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.”

Kebec is a leader with the Gwayakobimaadiziwin Bad River Harm Reduction Program, which supports members of the community who are struggling with addiction. She worked with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) to create a national standard Harm Reduction Framework.

In addition to her existing tribal law work with Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Wisconsin and Leech Lake in Minnesota, Kebec has joined multiple tribal bars in Wisconsin in order to represent clients across jurisdictions. She also sits on many boards related to her local community, Native American issues, and harm reduction.

Work with Judicare Legal Aid

Kebec has worked with Judicare Legal Aid (formerly Wisconsin Judicare) for more than seven years, taking pro bono cases on a wide range of family and housing issues.

“Judicare is an outstanding organization that provides low-income individuals with access to high-quality representation on critical civil cases: domestic violence, disability rights, housing, public benefits and others,” Kebec said.

Her cultural background, coming from “a tribal nation that has been sabotaged by colonial and genocidal tactics meant to undermine our people, culturally and economically, informs my perspective on the value of Legal Service Corporations, and especially Judicare,” Kebec said.

Her dedication is apparent. “Philomena takes some of Judicare’s strangest cases with the most desperate clients and far-flung jurisdictions,” said Paige Juel, private attorney involvement director for Judicare Legal Aid. “From consultations to full representation in state and tribal courts, she treats her clients with care, compassion, and respect.”

Kebec said she is grateful for the partnership Judicare has fostered with tribal nations in Wisconsin, including “representing countless tribal members on cases involving their children, their homes and their safety. Judicare and other legal service corporations have been involved in the fight for justice for tribal causes as well – treaty rights and taxation issues. I am proud to be a small part of the Judicare story.”

Kebec has a special gift of meeting her clients “where they are at,” and helping them 110% with all of her expertise, said Juel.

“Judicare is grateful to every private attorney who works with our clients. Philomena is a shining example that Wisconsin attorneys can have more than one passion, use more than one skillset, and serve more than one commitment, including impactful pro bono work,” said Juel.

“With her duties serving her tribe and community in legal and non-legal capacities, she is truly going out of her way to serve her pro bono clients throughout northern Wisconsin, several tribes, and even across the country,” Juel said.

Celebrate these 15 Leaders in the Law

They are members of the legal community who make a difference – by living a lifetime of service, mentoring others, offering their pro bono services, and going the extra mile. Congratulations to these 15 award recipients, all leaders in the law.

Join Us at the Annual Meeting & Conference in June in Milwaukee

Want to celebrate a friend, family member, or colleague being honored at the Member Recognition Celebration? Join us for this free event 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, at the KI Center in Green Bay.

The celebration takes place at the State Bar Annual Meeting & Conference, June 19-21. Register now to choose from more than 26 CLE sessions covering top trends, hot topics, and enduring advice for today’s lawyers.

In addition, featured plenary speakers, the Legal Expo, networking luncheons, the Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, and the Lawyers at Lambeau All-Conference Bash will help you connect, learn, and relax.

Reserve your spot today!

A Long History of Pro Bono Service

Kebec started working on pro bono cases while in law school. She learned how to take on tough cases working with her mentor and former employer, Minnesota attorney Mark Gardner. He took the most challenging cases in his work with the Volunteer Lawyers Network in Minneapolis, including an international child kidnapping case.

In 2023, Kebec took the most pro bono cases of any Judicare attorney, including a challenging and urgent family case that spanned multiple states involving two children abducted from their home state outside Wisconsin.

“My client was frantic when we first talked,” Kebec said. “I was able to press the right levers of public safety and justice for their safe return home.”

“I might be a bit of an adrenaline junkie because the cases always start out seemingly impossible and it’s stressful to take on the responsibility. But they’re like any other case: you need to be familiar with the facts and the law, create a plan of attack, assemble allies, and execute your plan. Facilitating a good outcome for a vulnerable client is the sweetest reward,” she said.

Kebec ensured the children were safe in Wisconsin and returned to their mom as soon as possible. Her advocacy led to criminal charges against the abductor, said Juel.

“Philomena is a shining example that Wisconsin attorneys can have more than one passion, use more than one skillset, and serve more than one commitment, including impactful pro bono work,” said Juel.

Pro Bono Honor Society: 280 Lawyers x 50 Hours or More = 14,000+ Hours

Kebec is one of 280 extraordinary Wisconsin lawyers who made a real commitment to pro bono service and who make a difference in their communities. In turn, they are recognized and honored through the State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society.

The Pro Bono Honor Society recognizes Wisconsin lawyers who volunteer at least 50 hours of their time annually to help expand access to justice for low-income Wisconsin residents.

If you will donate more than 50 hours of pro bono services in 2024, the State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society would like to recognize your service and inspire more lawyers to follow your example.

Join the Honor Society by completing the certification form on the Pro Bono Honor Society webpage at the end of the year, and sending it to the State Bar no later than March 1, 2025.

Eligible pro bono legal services for this program means the direct provision of legal services without fee or expectation of fee, or at a substantially reduced fee, to:

• persons of limited means;

• organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means; or

• charitable, religious, civic, community governmental and educational organizations to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights so long as a substantial majority of such services benefit persons of limited means or organizations that serve persons of limited means.

2023 Pro Bono Honor Society

Congratulations to these 280 Wisconsin lawyers recognized as 2023 Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society members: