HomeMy WebLinkAbout102521cbs JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Mark McCauley, Interim County Administrator
FROM: Kate Dean, Chair, District No. 1 Commissioner
DATE: October 25, 2021
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION re: Recognizing the Week of October 24, 2021 as Pro
Bono Law Week to Honor and Thank Attorneys who Volunteer Time and
Expertise to Provide Legal Services to Those in Need
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The proposed proclamation recognizes the important pro bono work that lawyers provide, enabling
individuals access to legal representation regardless of their means, ensuring that our justice system
continues to uphold the fundamental principles of equity and fairness for all.
ANALYSIS:
Pro Bono Law Week highlights the over 243,691 hours of volunteer legal help given to individual and
families throughout the state of Washington, with Jefferson and Clallam County Pro Bono Lawyers
contributing over 850 hours annually, protecting civil liberties and representing low income residents with
issues related to health care, consumer and financial services, domestic violence, child custody, foreclosure
and eviction. Three in four state residents face urgent civil legal issues but less than 25 percent receive legal
assistance that can improve economic security and personal safety. Today's proclamation presents a public
opportunity to honor and thank the attorneys who volunteer their time and expertise to provide legal services
to those in need.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Today's proclamation has no direct fiscal cost; however, the legal services provided pro bono have
inestimable worth both to the judicial system and the citizens that are guaranteed access to the courts
through the volunteer hours donated by attorneys.
RECOMMENDATION:
That BoCC approve the attached Proclamation.
REVIEWED BY:
7,".
Mark Orauley, Interim Count ministrator Date
20 � 21
PROCLAMATION
Recognizing the week of October 24th - October 30th as Pro Bono Law Week
WHEREAS, our justice system is founded on the fundamental principles of equity and fairness
for all, and pro bono services grant individuals access to legal representation regardless of their
means; and
WHEREAS, nearly three in four Washington residents face urgent civil legal issues each year,
including issues related to health care, consumer and financial services, domestic violence,
divorce, child custody, foreclosure, eviction, and abuse; but less than 25 percent receive legal
assistance; and
WHEREAS, access to legal assistance can improve economic security and personal safety,
protect civil liberties, and lead to a more just society; and
WHEREAS, legal services agencies, pro bono service programs, law-schools, the American Bar
Association, the Washington State Bar Association, the Jefferson County Bar Association, and
private firms throughout the state have enlisted the services of volunteer attorneys to address
the legal needs of low-income people; and
WHEREAS, all attorneys licensed in Washington State are encouraged to provide at least 30
hours of free legal services annually to those unable to obtain legal counsel; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, pro bono attorneys in Washington State provided 20,000 families with
over 19,125 hours of free legal services and help with urgent legal issues, in Jefferson County
and Clallam County volunteer attorneys provided over 450 hours of service through Clallam-
Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyers; and
NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE BOARD OF JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS hereby
proclaim the week of October 24th -30th, 2021, as
PRO BONO WEEK
in Jefferson County to honor and thank the attorneys who volunteer their time and expertise to
provide legal services to those in need.
Signed this twenty-fifth of October 2021
JEFFERSON COUNTY
SEAL: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kate Dean, Chair
Heidi Eisenhour, Member
ATTEST: Greg Brotherton, Member
Carolyn Gallaway, Clerk of the Board