Volunteer options abound for attorneys

In his work with Habitat for Humanity's Law Panel, something he has done for about five years, Husch & Eppenberger associate Paul Link meets with home buyers to explain the necessary paperwork.

"I oftentimes attend the actual loan closing with the home buyers, and it's pretty rewarding to see the looks on their faces," he said. "Often this is the first home they've ever bought and they have small children who are very excited to have their own room and a yard to play in, that they've never had before."

Donna Jones, executive director of Habitat for Humanity's local office, said the Law Panel consists of eight lawyers who help with the closing process. She would like to provide another way for lawyers to give back to the community.

"I have a dream of getting lawyers to build a Habitat house," she said. "Many other affiliates across the country have a Lawyer Project house. The lawyers donate money and come out to build the house."

Husch & Eppenberger associate Ginger Gooch has been involved with Junior League for two years and Teen Court since last summer.

"I feel like I get so much more out of (volunteering) than I give," she said. Gooch spends about four hours each month volunteering with Teen Court, often serving as a consultant to the teen jury.

"I've gotten a lot better perspective on what some of these teen-agers are going through and the things that they have to deal with today," Gooch said. "It seems to make a big difference to them that I'm a lawyer taking time out of my schedule to do it."

Sarah Simpson, Teen Court coordinator, agrees. "The kids look up to them," she said. "Some of my teen court attorneys are interested in going into law, so they get to actually work with an attorney and talk to them about their experiences and get ideas and advice."

The program, started in 1996, serves about 140 kids each year.

"We have probably, at any given time, maybe four or five lawyers that are volunteering, and then we have a couple of judges that volunteer also," Simpson said.