Law groups partner to raise $500K for legal services

Last edited 12:58 p.m., May 28, 2014

Legal Services of Southern Missouri and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation are partnering to raise $500,000 to meet a growing need for free legal services in the area.

Attorney and businessman Sam Hamra set the pace for the campaign, promising $30,000 toward the goal and challenging others to meet his donation. That challenge was accepted by law firms Polsinelli PC - which matched the $30,000 and added another $20,000 - and Strong-Garner-Bauer PC, which matched the $30,000 pledge, according to a news release.

“We in the legal community recognize the important role Legal Services of Southern Missouri and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation play in giving access to the judicial system,” said Thomas O’Neal, managing partner of Polsinelli’s  Springfield office, in the release. “Public service is a core value of our firm and its lawyers. And it translates into hundreds of hours of volunteer legal service, as well as financial support."

Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal assistance to those living at or below the poverty level in 43 counties. It operates offices in Springfield, Rolla, Charleston, Cape Girardeau and Farmington.