“The First Duty of Society is Justice.”
– Alexander Hamilton

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 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.

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.

No group benefits as much as lawyers from the centrality of law to American life, so we are all obligated to make the benefits of law available to people who cannot otherwise afford them. There is no easier way to do that than through a check to the Combined Campaign.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to practice corporate law in Delaware—the practice is unmatched elsewhere.  While I have devoted time to pro bono causes and clients, I have this nagging feeling that I could have and should have done more.  By giving time and money to CCJ, I know that I am, in fact, doing more.  By supporting CCJ, I am helping those far less fortunate than members of the corporate bar like me, and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to do so.

Giving to the Combined Campaign is, simply put, what we do in Delaware. It’s the right thing to do.