According to something called the World Giving Index, Americans are the most generous people in the world. No surprise to most, since everywhere you turn these days you hear of examples of philanthropy – whether its Bill Gates, Warren Buffet or just the rest of us who find our own charities and support them year…
“I have someone in my corner.” At a recent Board of Trustees meeting, an attorney for Legal Aid shared her experience with a client. As she was telling her client’s story, the attorney explained how her client felt like she finally had someone in her corner as the client navigated through the legal system. Based…
We feel safer when we think domestic violence happens somewhere else to someone else. In reality domestic violence affects millions, both women and men, of every race, religion, culture and status. IT’S NOT JUST PUNCHES & BLACK EYES Domestic violence is best understood as a pattern of abusive behaviors – including physical, sexual, and psychological…
Are you trying to find topics and a compelling speaker for your next meeting? Are you interested in learning more about what how and why Legal Aid matters to someone, somewhere on any given day in our region? We are excited to announce a new way for your business, organization, or faith community to learn…
The Missouri Lawyers Weekly Unsung Hero recognition program recognizes the employees attorneys rely on, day in and day out, to consistently help in the climb. The ones who rise to the occasion repeatedly despite a level of anonymity. Years ago, Karen Karnes took in a documentary about homelessness and poverty in America. She knew then…
The Robert C. Welch Volunteer Attorney Project Award was created in partnership with the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association to recognize attorneys who, through their participation in the Volunteer Attorney Project (VAP), have demonstrated exemplary commitment to the delivery of pro bono services in our community. The 2019 recipients are: Teresa L. Anderson, Polsinelli,…
Access to legal representation and a fair shot at justice shouldn’t depend on where you live, the color of your skin or how much money you have. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality. That’s why we’re proud to support Legal Aid of Western Missouri as monthly donors. Legal Aid levels the playing field, giving our neighbors a basic right to which they are entitled:…
Contesting evictions. Preventing foreclosures. Representing victims of domestic violence. Obtaining health care benefits. Pursuing Medicaid appeals. Assisting immigrants. All these and many more are the services Legal Aid lawyers and staff provide to the low-income residents of western Missouri. And these are the reasons Cassy and I are enthusiastic supporters of Legal Aid. It is…
Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Zel Fischer announced during the 2019 State of Judiciary address that the Supreme Court adopted a Pro Bono Waiver of Annual Enrollment Fee rule. Effective January 1, 2020, retired and other inactive Missouri lawyers in good standing will be able to request a waiver of the Missouri annual enrollment fee…
I am a Jesuit Volunteer serving as a Domestic Violence Intervention Paralegal for Legal Aid’s Domestic Unit this year. I interview clients who need representation for orders of protection, divorce, and custody cases. When I am not directly interacting with clients, I draft pleadings for attorneys, present cases to attorneys, help organize the pro se…