Attorneys Volunteer to Help Others in Need

In keeping with the theme of this issue, the Access to Justice Committee is pleased to recognize the pro bono efforts of the bankruptcy bar. One example of where they make a difference is in the area served by the Norman office of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma.

Because of the dire poverty in which most LASO clients live, the lack of attachable income or assets mean that bankruptcy is not usually needed to convince creditors that collection efforts would be futile. However, low-income people need the skills of a trained bankruptcy attorney in those cases where bankruptcy can save a person’s home or the client is emotionally fragile and on limited income.

With these limitations, the Norman office of legal aid refers approximately 13-17 eligible pro bono clients annually. Three local attorneys handle legal aid’s bankruptcy efforts in Norman. Paul Austin, managing attorney of the Norman office comments, “Without the efforts of these attorneys, it would be impractical for our office to assist to any great extent in this much needed area.”

Joe Farber has donated his expertise in the field of bankruptcy for numerous years to the Norman legal aid office. “However, in the past decade we began to see more and more ‘working class’ poor. This group consisted of young couples, most of whom were both working, who had the icons of the young urban life: a new car, a new home and a new baby. In almost all of the cases we have seen, some unforeseen major illness or an extended loss of job has caused them to be in fear of losing their car and then their homes and therefore, their ability to work or get back to work. Joe has stepped in to help whenever he can,” Mr. Austin says.

The Norman office also has had other pro bono help come forward. “We have been lucky to have two more recently sworn in attorneys begin to donate their time,” Mr. Austin explains. “Todd Nalagan is a past employee of Legal Aid Services. When he went into private practice, he took numerous cases with him and has continued to handle up to three pro bono cases at any time.

However, the true relief pitcher for legal aid came in the form of Ginger Goddard. Ms. Goddard was the recent recipient of the Cleveland County Bar Association’s outstanding pro bono award. The major reason for this award was her unflagging efforts to ensure that young people maintain their homes and their ability to work. Ms. Goddard accepts between 10-15 bankruptcy cases from Legal Aid Services each year. “Her clients report enormous satisfaction with her work and her dedication and drive are inspiring to my staff,” Mr. Austin says.