Lawyers participate in Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org workshop

Over 30 Missouri lawyers with the firm Husch Blackwell, LLP, participated in a hands-on workshop October 23, 2019, where they learned how to get involved with Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org.

Brett Rowles, legal and community services coordinator with The Missouri Bar, explained to these potential volunteers the mechanics of the online system and how to register and assist individuals with legal questions. Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org provides pro bono services to low-income Missourians via a virtual legal advice clinic. Qualifying users post their question to the website and, volunteer lawyers authorized to provide pro bono assistance in their state log in to the website, select questions to answer and provide the needed legal advice.

Although the workshop took place in Jefferson City, additional individuals were able to participate remotely in the session from Kansas City, Springfield and St. Louis.

“As attorneys, we have an ethical and professional obligation to bridge the access to justice gap in our communities through pro bono legal services,” said Margaret Richards, director of pro bono services for Husch Blackwell, LLP. “[This] allows even our busiest attorneys a chance to help someone in need.”

For information on how to get involved, go to Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org.