Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org volunteer spotlight: Michael E. Jones
Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org is a free virtual legal advice clinic where qualifying users post civil legal questions that volunteer lawyers can answer on their own schedules.
Michael E. Jones did not take a traditional path to law. He spent more than 30 years working in construction before graduating from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2019.
He has been dedicated to pro bono service since law school, where he spent countless hours in clinics helping underserved clients. This experience taught him to be compassionate and open-minded to the challenges others face.
“When someone has made a mistake or has life problems, the best remedy is an understanding, compassionate friend that can provide legal support and resources provided by our communities,” Jones said.
He has applied his pro bono experiences from law school to his work with Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org.
The free legal advice clinic provides Jones with an opportunity to research new areas of law. He said he has found unique legal questions similar to those posed in law school or on the bar exam. The difference with these questions is they are not exaggerated hypotheticals, but real problems people are facing.
“I find these types of questions or problems in unfamiliar fields of law engaging. It allows for legal research to find a competent and reliable solution that conforms with the law while solving a unique problem or learning about an unfamiliar field of law,” Jones said. “In these scenarios, the client and I benefit, we both win.”
Jones encouraged other lawyers to participate in Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org, citing how the program allows you to control how much time you spend answering questions.
“You can answer a question in 10 minutes at the airport waiting for your flight or take more extensive time to research a new legal field and provide a competent answer,” Jones said. “It is up to your liking and commitment.”
He also said the support he has received from Missouri Bar staff made it easier to volunteer with the program.
“Take the opportunity and pay it forward to another by becoming a volunteer lawyer,” Jones said. “I believe it will change you as it has done so for myself.”
Click here to learn more about Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org and volunteer today!