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For over ten years, the Needs of the Elderly Committee has sponsored a very successful pro bono project. This project provides legal assistance to the patrons of Salt Lake
County senior centers. Volunteer attorneys have scheduled appointments to meet with elderly individuals at the senior centers to assess the individualsÕ need for legal and/or community
services. The volunteer attorneys may make referrals to other attorneys or to relevant community resources. They may decide to take a case. However, the volunteer attorneys cannot
represent the individual unless it is done on a pro bono basis.
Each appointment is scheduled for twenty minutes. The volunteer attorneys are generally scheduled to meet with the
seniors during the lunch hour, usually between 11 and 1. The Committee provides volunteers with a packet containing relevant brochures and referrals. Volunteers are also sent reminder
letters about the appointments.
The majority of the questions asked by the seniors are regarding wills and estate planning. However, the questions cover almost the entire spectrum
of legal problems people encounter. Volunteer attorneys may be asked about anything from dog bites to divorces.
The seniors are very grateful for and appreciative of the time
donated by the volunteer attorneys. They value the fact that someone has taken the time to listen to them and is trying to help solve their legal problems. The volunteer attorneys may be
able to provide answers to a problem that the senior may have been worrying about for months or even just provide confirmation or reassurance of what others have told them.
Over
the years, this project has continued to grow. As part of an ABA/Borchard mini-grant, the Committee has recently expanded our visitations to include subsidized senior housing units in
Salt Lake County. We are now providing “house calls” to seniors who may not be physically able to travel to a senior center.
We are currently providing visitations to all the
senior centers in Salt Lake County, with an average of three consultations per senior center visit. This total pro bono service amounts to approximately 57 consultations per month and 684
consultations per year.
This very successful program has been possible because lawyers (currently around 50) and law firms have donated both attorney and administrative time to
the program. Most attorneys who have volunteered continued to do so because they have found it to be a rewarding worthwhile endeavor.
If you are interested in volunteering or have questions regarding this project, please contact either:
Mary Jane Ciccarello Chair of the Needs of the Elderly Committee. She can be
reached at Henry and Ciccarello. The phone number is 272-3511. Her E-mail address is mjc@elderlawutah.com.
Ilona Kase Pro Bono Assistant at the Utah State Bar. Her hours are
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 5. Her phone number is 257-5516. Her e-mail is probonoasst@utahbar.org.
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