Vol. 32, No. 4, 4. Lending a Helping "Hand".

• Author: By Mary Angell

Wyoming Bar Journal

2009.

Vol. 32, No. 4, 4.

Lending a Helping "Hand"

Wyoming LawyerIssue: August, 2009Lending a Helping "Hand" By Mary Angell There's a saying that old attorneys never die; they just lose their appeal. The Wyoming State Bar doesn't agree.

"I don't think they lose their appeal," said Pat Hand, retired Douglas attorney. "They just have to volunteer."

Hand, 73, graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1963 and practiced law in Douglas for 40 years, handling mostly contracts and ranching and mineral cases. He served as legal counsel for the Converse County School District for 27 years, and his clients included generations of families.

He retired in 2003 and he and Karen, his wife of 52 years, moved to Cheyenne two years ago to be closer to family.

A 46-year member of the Wyoming State Bar, Hand now volunteers at the Bar office.

"There are a lot of seniors who are not dottering," he said. "You have to retire in your 70s, but a lot of people still have a lot to share and give."

Though Hand helps out in the office as needed, even filling in for the receptionist occasionally, his primary focus is on recruiting other retired attorneys to assist with the provision of legal services in the state. The new approach will not only give retired lawyers an opportunity to continue their contributions to the legal profession, but also bolster the quality of legal services available to Wyoming residents.

Hand and Bar Executive Director Sleeter Dover are forming an ad hoc task force to brainstorm ways to enlist retired lawyers to improve the state's pro bono and pro se services. The task force will make its recommendations to the Wyoming Access to Justice Commission.

Dover said it became clear to him right away that the need for legal services for low income and indigent residents far exceeds the availability of attorneys who are able to provide them.

"Retired attorneys still have skills and knowledge of the law. What if we were able to enlist attorneys to act as initial screeners for folks who come in need of assistance?" he said. "If retired volunteer attorneys can prepare the case so it's ready to go to court, and then get active attorneys to actually make the court appearance, it would save time."

Because many rural areas of Wyoming don't have legal services, the Bar offers a referral program. Hand has fielded many referral calls...