"Whenever I am asked to take on a pro bono case by Prairie State Legal Services, I almost always agree to take the case. I also take part in any charity event designed to advance the legal service organizations. I believe in giving of my time so that the underprivileged can also have legal representation. I have seen too many examples of the pro se litigants/defendants getting the shaft, simply because they did not have counsel-from the prosecutor who makes the pro se defendant believe he is getting a good deal (when in fact the prosecutor may be simply following the law, and the deal is not so great after all), to the pro se litigant attempting to have his criminal record expunged and cannot because no one bothered to inform him that Illinois statutes allow for the indigent to ask the court to waive the filing fee associated with the expungement/sealing request. I believe in fighting for the person who needs someone to fight for them...because someone has to.
I volunteer my time and work hard as a volunteer because I get so much out of volunteering. The clients who benefit are very likeable, and very appreciative. I enjoy helping them. I also volunteer at a local hospital, and I am often thanked for my time. I always respond, 'I am the one who should thank you for this opportunity." Again, I get as much out of the experience as the person I am helping."
