Nov. 18, 2009  – Axley Brynelson has been making Lawyer Hotline calls more than 20 years. Axley attorneys volunteer five times per year to respond to area residents’ legal questions through the State Bar's Lawyer Hotline, a service of the Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS). Axley received the State Bar's Hotline Firm of the Year Award in 2000.

Lawyer hotlines are a community service and team-building opportunity for local bar associations and law firms. Volunteer attorneys gather at a venue to return telephone calls during a prearranged time. The LRIS provides questions submitted by the public and a light dinner for the volunteer attorneys.

Attorneys volunteering their expertise at the October Lawyer Hotline include: Standing from left: Saul Glazer, Paul Curtis, Ena Seiler, Melissa Warner, Dan Hardy, Leslie Sammon, and Jodi Yin. Seated from left: Brian Hough and Mike Modl. Not pictured: Andrew Clarkowski, Steve Brezinski, Steve Streck, Dan Mc Alvanah, Carol Chapman, and Laura Peck.

“Attorneys can choose from several hotline options to participate in the program,” says Hotline Coordinator Pat Ruppert. “All hotlines are for a two-hour time commitment, but time and location vary to provide options that can work for everyone.”

There are three ways to participate as a hotline volunteer:

• Evening Hotline  – Volunteers meet at the Bar Center in Madison, usually on Wednesdays, to return calls to the public.

• Hometown Hotline  – A host attorney, law firm, or organization donates office space and area volunteers meet to return calls.

• Law Firm Hotline  – Firms with two or more volunteer attorneys can receive a list of callers and questions from the State Bar.

The State Bar will create and distribute press releases to local media announcing the program. For more information, contact Ruppert at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6131, or (608) 250-6131.

Related: More about the State Bar’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service