January 27, 2016
Next Tuesday, February 2, the State Bar and 12News are co-sponsoring a lawyer call-in program that may benefit someone you know—or it may even benefit you!
The topic for Lawyers on Call that night will be estate planning, wills and trusts. It runs from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. that evening, and the call-in number is 602-258-1212. More detail is here.
After the event, I’ll share the names of the lawyers who generously gave of their time at the event.
Follow @azattyNovember 17, 2015
State Bar of Arizona lawyers answer family-law questions, Nov. 10, 2015.
On Tuesday, November 10, the State Bar of Arizona and 12 News hosted the Lawyers on Call public service program. There, eight attorneys volunteered their time and expertise to answer viewers’ questions on family law issues.
The following update comes from my colleague Alberto Rodriguez:
Eight attorneys volunteered their time:
The lawyers answered 156 calls during the two-hour phone bank.
Sample consumer questions:
Four of the eight attorneys were first-time volunteers. Congratulations and thanks to all who participated.
Follow @azattyJune 3, 2015
On Tuesday, May 19, the State Bar of Arizona and 12 News hosted the Lawyers on Call public service program. There, four attorneys volunteered their time and expertise to answer viewers’ questions on landlord/tenant issues.
The following update comes from my colleague Alberto Rodriguez:
Four attorneys volunteered their time:
The attorneys answered an impressive 84 calls during the two-hour phone bank.
Sample consumer questions:
Two of the four attorneys were first-time volunteers. All volunteers were extremely satisfied with the quality of the questions overall and were excited to have participated in the Lawyers on Call public service program.
Click here for a brief news story (video) leading up to the phone bank.
Follow @azattyApril 6, 2015
I regularly report on the activities of Lawyers on Call, a State Bar public service program hosted at the ofices of 12 News, the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. At the events, volunteer lawyers answer consumer questions on various topics. On Tuesday, March 31, the event focused on tax laws. In a moment, I’ll share the names of the generous volunteer attorneys. But first, it’s worth noting that this version of Lawyers on Call included a new development: the use of a streaming video app, Periscope, to better address some consumer questions. To add to the functionality, this past month’s event also includes a video recap (see it at the end of this post). I am very impressed by the video’s quality, achieved via free apps. That makes me think I should try my hand at some videos myself! The Lawyers on Call news comes, as always, from my innovative colleague Alberto Rodriguez: Five attorneys volunteered their time and expertise on March 31, 2015, to offer legal advice on tax law. The attorneys were:
The lawyers answered 118 calls, 23 questions via Facbook, and a handful on Periscope, a streaming video app that had 55 participants. Sample consumer questions:
Several callers reported scam activity—receiving phone calls from individuals claiming to be an “IRS” representative who request personal information and payments. Facebook continues to be a successful component of Lawyers on Call, as attorney Derek Kaczmarek answered 23 questions posted on the 12 News fan page. In addition, the 12 News social media team launched the use of Periscope, an interactive streaming video app where participants could ask their questions live. Four out of the five attorneys were first-time volunteers. All volunteers were extremely satisfied with the quality of the questions overall and were excited to have participated in the Lawyers on Call public service program. Here is a terrific video recap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n83m1ZbclBs&feature=youtu.be Follow @azatty
November 17, 2014
Volunteer lawyers answer consumer questions on landlord-tenant issues at the Lawyers on Call public service program, Nov. 11, 2014.
Today I share some news from my colleague Alberto Rodriguez:
The State Bar of Arizona, 12 News, and azcentral.com hosted the Lawyers on Call public service program on Tuesday, November 11. Volunteers answered viewers’ calls regarding their landlord/tenant issues.
Five volunteer attorneys assisted with the program: Clare Abel (Burch & Cracchiolo PA); Kristen Coyne (CKGH Law); Clint Dunaway (Dunaway Law Group PLC); Mark Heldenbrand (J. Mark Heldenbrand PC); and Nick Wood (Snell & Wilmer).
The lawyers answered 28 calls on landlord/tenant issues. Compared to previous phone banks, there was a substantial decrease in calls.
Sample consumer questions:
One out of the five attorneys was a first-time volunteer. Returning volunteers were surprised at the low call volume, but were hopeful that consumers are experiencing fewer issues with their landlords/tenants.
Next month, volunteer lawyers will answer consumers’ mental health, disability, and elder law questions on Tuesday, December 2, the final Lawyers on Call public service program of 2014.
Follow @azattySeptember 5, 2014
Arizona family law attorneys answer consumer questions during Lawyers on Call, September 2, 2014.
Some news from my State Bar colleague Alberto Rodriguez:
On Tuesday, September 2, volunteer lawyers offered their time to answer family law questions as part of the State Bar’s successful Lawyers on Call program.
Those volunteer attorneys answered 96 calls on family law issues—66 of which were addressed via social media. That resulted in a total of 162 people who were helped.
The volunteer attorneys were: Steven Clark, Cody L. Hayes, Heidi Lukacsik, Kelly Mendoza, Jennifer Moshier, Felicia Schumacher, Mike Skupin and Margo A. Shorr.
Two of the eight attorneys were first-time volunteers.
Attorneys received a wide variety of consumer questions. Among them:
Social media has increased in popularity during the years Lawyers on Call has been in place. On September 2, 75 consumers asked their questions via the 12 News Facebook page, 66 of which attorneys Heidi Lukacsik and Margo Shorr responded to with their recommendations/advice.
Next month, volunteer lawyers will answer consumers’ bankruptcy and foreclosure questions on Tuesday, October 7.
Follow @azattyJune 30, 2014
I often communicate the results of the State Bar’s Lawyers on Call events after they occur. But as I looked at the topic for tomorrow’s pro bono lawyer event, I thought that many of us may have family or friends who could benefit from calling in. Please feel free to share this with them.
Tomorrow’s topic is estate planning (wills, trusts, more). The number to call is (602) 258-1212 (note: lawyers are only available at that phone number from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the days when Lawyers on Call is featured). Here is Bar news about the upcoming Lawyers on Call.
“If you should pass away unexpectedly, will your children be cared for by someone you love and trust? If you become incapacitated, will your business continue to thrive and grow? Will your family have to deal with bureaucracy during a time of sadness? Ease the stress associated with untimely death or accidents by seeking advice from an estate planning attorney for free on Tuesday, July 1.”
“Volunteer estate planning attorneys will answer your questions on the State Bar of Arizona, 12 News, and azcentral.com’s Lawyers on Call public service program. You can discuss your wills, trust, and estate planning issues with them for free from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.”
Follow @azattyMay 21, 2014
Volunteer attorneys participate in the Lawyers on Call phone program, May 13, 2014, on the topic of bankruptcy and foreclosure.
Here is a follow-up to a State Bar event, by my colleague Alberto Rodriguez:
The State Bar of Arizona, azcentral.com and 12 News hosted the Lawyers on Call public service program on Tuesday, May 13.
The following is a recap of the program, which focused on bankruptcy and foreclosure issues.
The volunteer attorneys were: Anthony Clark, Diane L. Drain, Richard A. Drake, Tracy Essig, Margaret A. Gillespie, Peter Gustafson, Jeff Katz, Steven Keist, Vincent R. Mayr and Jim L. Webster.
Volunteer attorneys answered 76 calls on bankruptcy and foreclosure issues. An additional 25 consumers were assisted via social media, which gave us a total of 101 people who were helped. Although calls were plentiful, phone lines weren’t as busy as in the past. Volunteers thought it was a good indicator that bankruptcies and foreclosures are on the decline.
Here is a sample of consumer questions:
Social media continues to be a successful element of Lawyers on Call. 25 consumers asked their questions via the 12 News Facebook page, and attorney Diane L. Drain responded with her recommendations/advice.
Eight of the 11 attorneys were first-time volunteers.
Next month, volunteer lawyers will answer consumers’ landlord and tenant questions on Tuesday, June 3.
Follow @azattyApril 18, 2014
Volunteer attorneys participate in the Lawyers on Call phone program, April 8, 2014, on the topic of family law.
Here is a follow-up to a State Bar event, by my colleague Alberto Rodriguez:
The State Bar of Arizona, azcentral.com and 12 News hosted the Lawyers on Call public service program on Tuesday, April 8.
The following is a recap of the program, which focused on family law—divorce, child support, and paternity issues
The volunteer attorneys were: Christa Banfield, Michael Clancy, Tali Collins, Michael Cordrey, DeeAn Gillespie Strub, Wendy Hernandez, Kris Leonhardt, Nancy Khiel, Londa Rivera and Patrick Sampair
Volunteer attorneys answered 148 calls on family law issues. An additional 41 consumers were assisted via social media, which gave us an impressive total of 189 people who were helped.
Here is a sample of consumer questions:
Social media continues to be a successful element of Lawyers on Call. 41 consumers asked their questions via the 12 News Facebook page and attorney Kris Leonhardt responded with her recommendations/advice.
All 10 attorneys were first-time volunteers.
Next month, volunteer lawyers will answer consumers’ bankruptcy and foreclosure questions on Tuesday, May 6.
Follow @azattyFebruary 17, 2014
Here is a follow-up to a State Bar event, by my colleague Alberto Rodriguez:
The State Bar of Arizona, azcentral.com and 12 News hosted the Lawyers on Call public service program on Tuesday, February 4. Results were phenomenal, considering the smaller than normal volunteer base.
The following is a recap of the program, which focused on tax law.
The volunteer attorneys were: James E. Bielenberg, Jr., Nathan Carr, Joseph Lunsky, Lawrence “D” Pew and Kathryne Ward.
Phone lines were busy, and volunteers answered an impressive 110 calls on tax law. An additional 18 consumers were assisted via social media, which gave us a total of 128 people who were helped.
Here are a sample of consumer questions:
Eighteen consumers asked their questions via the 12 News Facebook page, and attorney Nathan Carr responded with his recommendations and advice.
Four of the five attorneys were first-time volunteers. James Bielenberg of Prescott made the two-hour drive to Phoenix so he could volunteer.
Next month, Lawyers on Call volunteers will answer employment and labor law questions.
Follow @azatty
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