Four HeplerBroom (HB) attorneys ventured out on a cold, rainy afternoon recently to help staff a clinic that assisted local veterans in obtaining military and medical records. The free legal clinic, sponsored by Legal Help Within Reach, was held at the Madison County Administration Building on February 12. Tom Haine, an Army vet and HB attorney, spearheaded the firm’s volunteer efforts. Other HB attorney volunteers were Anne Schmidt, Alex Belotserkovsky, and Audra Zobrist. In addition, Judges Martin Mengarelli and Sarah Smith, both vets themselves, also volunteered at the clinic.

Through Legal Help Within Reach, the Public Interest Law Initiative works with lawyers, law students, and legal professionals across Illinois who provide in-person and virtual pro bono legal aid services and education to thousands of Illinois residents who struggle to navigate the legal system due to a lack of financial resources. Support for these activities comes from law firms, corporations, foundations, and universities, as well as individual donors. To learn more about PILI’s mission and how you might help, click here.