Local attorney's efforts aid children

For some attorneys, volunteering is a way of life.

Carl Lippelman of Mann Walter Bishop & Lippelman PC recruited members of his staff when he and his family recently helped with an adoption fair through the Greene County Division of Family Services. Lippelman, his family and his staff helped set up and play games in which children interacted with prospective adoptive parents.

In addition, Lippelman serves on the board at Central Christian Church. He and his wife, Kimberley, also co-chair Caring Hearts, a support group through Cox Hospitals for parents of children with heart defects. Caring Hearts helped the family when daughter Marissa, now 11, had open-heart surgery at the age of 2 days and then again at the age of 2 years.

He also serves as Guardian Ad Litem in cases for juvenile court, representing minors who have been abused or neglected by their parents.

While volunteering can be a way to attract new clients, Lippelman doesn't see it as the goal. "You could volunteer for things you have no interest in just to be out there and get business. I don't know if that works because I don't do it. I like working with kids, so that's how I volunteer."

However, Lippelman said hard work always pays off. "If they know you work hard volunteering, there's a good chance you're going to work hard representing them."

Lippelman's decision to give up so much of his personal time is reaffirmed when he runs into clients later on, after their legal issues have been resolved.

"I've had kids who have had a rough situation come up to me out in public just to say, I never had a chance to thank you for what you did for me'" he said.