RICHMOND, VA—
Imagine losing custody of a child or a dispute with your landlord, simply because you couldn't afford to pay a lawyer.Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court Leroy Hassell is issuing a call to action for attorneys across the state to perform more pro bono work.
Hassell held a summit Tuesday at the Supreme Court building. He says all citizens should be able to protect their interests and property rights, no matter how much money they make.
John Oakey is doing more than his fair share.
Oakey says, "I tell people that I represent, I say, "I don't charge people. If I represent you, I'm not going to charge you." I've been doing that for ten years now."
Oakey was a trial lawyer for 35 years. He retired back in 1999, but his colleagues at McquireWoods say you can still find him in his office or in court almost every day.
Oakey says, "People think I spend more than I do, to be honest with you. I play golf once a week."
He admits that when he was working full time, he always intended to do more pro bono work, but he never seemed to get around to it. Now, that's all he does.
Oakey says, "I'm not sure I would do it as much as I do, if I didn't like what I was doing. I enjoy being a lawyer and going to court and seeing people, and being able to help people. It's a good feeling."
John Oakey was honored at the Chief Justice's summit and awards line his office walls.
He says almost 80 percent of the people who need legal assistance receive no help. He's working every day to change that.
Oakey says, "I'm 75, and at a certain point, you get to the point where you probably shouldn't be going to court all the time. So far, I don't think I've reached that point yet." When asked about his more memorable cases, John mentioned a church secretary with three children who made $22,000 a year.
He helped her get $60,000 in back child support to send her kids to college.
If you need legal assistance, the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society is a good place to start. Call 804-648-1012 or click here.
