“We all have a responsibility to create a just society.”

Every single time I appear in family court on a pro bono matter it makes me realize that I lead a very sheltered and comfortable life. The next thought that immediately follows that realization, though, strikes me as the most important to me personally: doing this pro bono work really makes me appreciate the family and support I have and have enjoyed throughout my life and it is good to be reminded of that from time to time. What better way to acknowledge that than to try to help others who have not been so fortunate. Providing meaningful financial support to the Combined Campaign is one of the ways we should all do that.

I give to the Combined Campaign for Justice because it ultimately enables our fellow human beings  who are far less fortunate than I am and cannot afford a lawyer to get their day in court and secure essential rights and protections that otherwise would likely be smashed along with their hopes and dreams for the semblance of a decent life.

I support the Combined Campaign for Justice because it validates our claim to justice for all. Justice for most is not the same and not adequate.

As Delaware attorneys, we are extremely lucky to be members of one of the top bars in the country and to practice before the nation’s finest judiciary. The Delaware bench and bar has a long tradition of providing access to justice for those less fortunate in our society. I am very proud to follow in the footsteps of the men and women who created CCJ and nurtured it over the years. As Delaware attorneys, we have an obligation under the Rules of Professional Responsibility to “render public interest legal service.” Support of the CCJ is one of the many ways we can fulfill that obligation.

It is my pleasure to serve as a Corporate Committee Chair and to donate to CCJ because it is the right thing to do.  I thank God that we have so many people who are passionate about and willing to give tirelessly of their time to this great cause. “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.

I donate to the Combined Campaign for Justice because I watch the volunteer legal services attorneys the CCJ supports in action in Family Court representing victims of domestic violence to obtain life-saving protection from abuse orders. These attorneys are professional, compassionate and perform invaluable legal services to people in our community who need help to protect themselves and their children but who cannot afford legal fees.

Parcels has been fortunate to play an important role in the Delaware legal process since 1980.  In that time, we’ve had the opportunity to serve the community in a variety of ways.  By donating our time, money and resources to the Combined Campaign for Justice, we have been able to help raise the much needed awareness and funding required to make the Campaign a success. Without the Campaign, those individuals who truly need legal assistance would be underserved and/or forgotten.  To us—that’s not an acceptable result.  That is why we’re happy to support the Campaign in any way we can.  

Both in my role as a court reporter and reporting firm owner dating back to the late 1970’s, I have been very fortunate to have the honor and privilege to serve and work with the Delaware legal community. My desire to give back and support the mission of the Delaware Bar lead me to get involved with the Combined Campaign of Justice many years ago.  I truly believe all citizens should have equal access to legal services and our judiciary to ensure all members of our society are treated fairly.   This belief and commitment is why I have given my time and financial resources to the Campaign over these many years and why I always urge other vendors to our legal community to give generously to support this important and worthy cause.

Many have said society is judged by how we treat the “least” among us.  I give to CCJ financially and with my time because the three agencies supported by CCJ help those who have less.  Delaware’s impoverished and disabled citizens have legal needs, often more so than citizens not in those categories, but have no means to obtain representation.  If we want these citizens to live full productive lives and be integral members of our society, we must help them meet their basic legal needs.  CCJ does that.

I support CCJ because together with the privilege we have in practicing in this great State comes the obligation to ensure that the neediest among us have access to justice, including in the form of pro bono legal representation. CCJ is unparalleled in its ability to efficiently and cooperatively funnel those resources to services for those who need them the most.

It was a privilege to serve as a Co-Chair of the Combined Campaign for Justice.  The Campaign is needed now more than ever, when so many poor Delawareans have unmet legal needs and the talented legal professionals of DVLS, CLASI, and Legal Services Corporation of Delaware face continued funding cuts.  Every dollar contributed makes a difference in the lives of our fellow citizens, to the benefit of us all.

I am committed to the Combined Campaign for Justice because I believe it is the duty of every citizen to assure that the most vulnerable members of our communities — children, veterans, the poor, the disabled, the elderly and victims of domestic violence– have access to justice, whether that is in the courts or dealing with administrative agencies or fellow citizens. I truly believe that our communities, and society as a whole, will grow stronger and more peaceful as the justice gap grows smaller.

DLS Discovery carries out our mission to support our communities where our employees live and work. By supporting the CCJ we are able to help those in need of legal representation that can’t afford an attorney. CCJ’s proven track record of preventing 97% of evictions they handled speaks for itself.  

I support the Combined Campaign for Justice because I believe that the provision of legal services for the poor is a unique professional obligation of members of the Bar. Moreover, CCJ, the special cooperative effort of the three Delaware organizations that provide indigent legal services, is a gem of an idea and the envy of bar associations around the country.

I started my legal career in public service. Although my practice no longer focuses in that area, and I love my private sector corporate litigation practice, I continue to believe it is important to remember those in our community in need of legal services. I feel that through my involvement with CCJ, I am able to give back to our community and to continue to help the public, particularly those who are most vulnerable. I think it is incumbent upon members of the Delaware bar – who benefit from being able to practice law at the highest levels before our nation’s very best courts – to help members of our community who might not otherwise be able to gain the representation they need to secure justice in their personal lives.