Lawyers with heart? It could be a rule
Justices may prod more attorneys to offer free legal help
By KATHY GEORGE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
Some lawyers say they can't spare the time or money to help poor clients for free.
Others would like to help, but know little about housing, domestic violence or other laws most affecting the poor.
Seattle lawyer William Broberg spends much of his time working pro bono cases, some of them in Judge Judith Hightower's courtroom. Such public service may be encouraged by the state Supreme Court.
Then there are lawyers like Bro.
As the Washington Supreme Court considers a proposed rule to encourage more free legal services, William Broberg stands out as a guy who needs no inducement.
Bro, as he is known, could double his income if he wanted to. He could buy art for the bare white walls of his Pioneer Square office.
But, in a profession that prizes deep-pocketed clients and billable hours, this young solo practitioner seems to prefer working for free.
The Supreme Court is expected to decide soon, possibly today, on a rule proposed by the Washington State Bar Association that would spell out for the first time how much public-interest service a lawyer should donate.
While the proposed rule recommends that every lawyer devote at least 30 hours a year to helping poor people otherwise shut out of the justice system, Broberg already has racked up about 100 hours of unpaid service this year.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/...probono14.html
