Wisconsin lawyers help hurricane evacuees in Milwaukee, volunteers
needed for legal services desk
On Sept. 19, the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic opened a legal
services desk at the State Fair Park shelter for hurricane evacuees.
Volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and
5:30 to 7 p.m.
More than 500 Hurricane Katrina evacuees have found shelter in
Wisconsin, and many of them are staying at the State Fair Park in
Milwaukee. Milwaukee attorneys Tanner Kilander and Julie Darnieder
visited the shelter last week and after talking with the Red Cross they
quickly realized that some evacuees need legal assistance on matters
that could be best handled by Wisconsin attorneys.
"More than 20 lawyers have volunteered for 90-minute shifts to answer
questions at the legal services desk," says Kilander. "Some lawyers have
volunteered for more than one shift to help us meet our commitment. We
don't know how long we will be there, but we plan to stay as long as we
are needed. Staffing the shifts is critical to this effort."
"Many evacuees aren't even thinking of legal questions they may have
until they see our table at the shelter," says Kilander. "Every area of
law is affected. When volunteers receive questions that they cannot
answer, other Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic volunteers are available
to help."
The State Bar is providing free professional liability coverage and
LexisNexis research for the volunteer attorneys.
To volunteer for a time slot in the clinic, contact Tanner Kilander at (414)
640-8824. Attorneys willing to help in this and future disaster
situations can contact Jeff
Brown, State Bar Pro Bono Coordinator, at (608) 250-6177.
