February 2, 2005
David Becker recognized for pro bono work
Local lawyer lauded for his decades-long commitment to provide legal services
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
David Becker was pronounced lawyer extraordinaire and lauded for his many hours of work for the poor Thursday evening during the Pro Bono Service Recognition reception.
Held at the Haggerty Center of Northwestern Michigan College, Mary Kavanaugh-Gahn, deputy director of Legal Services of Northwest Michigan, bestowed the first annual Pro Bono Award on Becker. She noted his decades-long commitment to providing legal services to those who could otherwise afford it.
"He is one of the Founding Fathers of the free legal clinic at Third Level and has provided 20 years of consistent help to those in need," she said. "I'm so glad we're honoring him tonight because he's this guy who never wants to admit he's a nice guy - I think it's more than fitting that Dave be the inaugural candidate."
The Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, Legal Services of Northwest Michigan, Third Level Crisis Center and the Women's Resource Center - Grand Traverse Area sponsored the event.
Becker, a modest person who would prefer to avoid the spotlight, has assisted these agencies and their clients over the years. He has contributed his time and legal expertise out of a sense of duty.
"I guess I feel it is my responsibility as a lawyer," Becker said.
He compared the nature of his pro bono work to his regular practice: "[It is] kind of the same, most of the time, lesser dollars but quite often a lot more emotion."
Since last April when a United Way grant began, area agencies have been able to coordinate and increase their pro bono offerings. The Law Enhanced Access Partnership program, LEAP for short, provides legal help to people who have too much income to qualify for Legal Services of Northwest Michigan's indigent services. However, they can still not afford to pay a private lawyer.
LEAP's goal is to promote pro bono contributions from the more than 400 lawyers in the Grant Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association. These attorneys could help at the Free Legal Aid Clinic at Third Level, which has brought lawyers to their Eighth Street facility every Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. since 1976.
Other opportunities to provide free legal services include the Pro Se Divorce Clinic, the Women Lawyers Clinic and the Pro Bono Panel. The panel provides pro bono referrals to Legal Aid Clinic participants if they are eligible.
"It is the same 40-60 people who provide the nice legal service," said Kavanaugh-Gahn. "It is nice to have them, but it would be nice to have more."
"So many good attorneys show in their work ethic how they can incorporate pro bono into their bottom line," she added.
Kavanaugh-Gahn said that Legal Services, the Women's Resource Center and Third Level decided to collaborate last year, hoping a coordinated promotion and recognition of pro bono work would encourage more lawyers to participate. Jo Bullis, program director of the Women's Resource Center wrote the successful grant.
The United Way of Northwest Michigan funded the LEAP program out of their Innovation Solutions Incentive Fund, which encourages collaborative and unusual ways of meeting needs in the community. The one-year grant will run from April 1, 2004 until March 31, 2005.
"What attracted us about this was the opportunity to involve many professionals who may not currently be involved by sharing some of their professional expertise to help out people in some pretty serious situations," noted Becky Beauchamp, executive director of the United Way of Northwest Michigan. "This proposal formed some uncommon partnerships, got community professionals involved and ultimately will get better legal representation to more people."