Editorial

Front Page - Friday, December 17, 2010

Pro Bono Star of the Month

Maeghan Jones

When it comes to pro bono service, Patrick Bobo is not afraid of a challenge. Bobo’s first pro bono case involved a victim of domestic violence who sought a divorce from her abusive husband. The fact that he had never handled a divorce before did not deter Bobo from taking the case.
Bobo explains, “When I took the case, it was with the expectation that we would reach a settlement quickly, and I thought I would be done in a few months. However, it became clear when we attempted to mediate the case that we were going to have to go to trial to resolve all of the issues.”
Ultimately, the case went to trial in Circuit Court and Bobo obtained a favorable judgment for his client which included alimony. As a result, his client was able to begin her new life free from abuse.
“Although it was a difficult case and I spent a great deal of time on it, it was very satisfying to help someone in need. In addition, I learned new skills as a litigator.”
A strong desire to help others and the belief that lawyers have a responsibility to increase access to justice are powerful motivators for Patrick Bobo.
“The Rules of Professional Conduct recommend that lawyers provide 50 hours of pro bono service every year. That is a great deal of time that a lawyer could spend working for paying clients.”
“However, it is important that we volunteer some of our time. If we do not provide pro bono service, many of the low income members of our community would have no access to the legal system. Lawyers are the only ones in our society who have the tools and means to help these people,” explains Bobo.
No one appreciates Bobo’s commitment to pro bono service more than his clients.
“Mr. Bobo is a very good person. He was patient and took the time to understand me and my situation. Then he helped me work out a solution. He went the extra mile for me. He even made phone calls on my behalf when I ran into problems getting certain agencies to help me,” explains Katherine McKenzie, one of Bobo’s many grateful clients.
Bobo works for the City of Chattanooga in the City Attorney’s Office. He grew up in Lynchburg, Tenn. and was the first in his family to graduate from college. His parents pushed him to achieve and helped him to realize that he could attain a career as a lawyer.
After graduating from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, he moved to Chattanooga and accepted a job with Nelson McMahan and Noblett. In December of 2009, Nelson McMahan and Noblett became the full-time municipal law department for the City of Chattanooga, and Bobo became an Assistant City Attorney.
Bobo credits his involvement with Legal Aid to City Attorney Mike McMahan who first encouraged him to get involved with the program. Bobo explained that “in addition to helping others, Mike knew that pro bono cases would be a great place to get valuable experience.
“He has supported me with his experience and expertise as I’ve encountered new legal problems in my pro bono cases. The majority of the lawyers in our office volunteer for Legal Aid or take on pro bono work.”
Volunteer lawyers who take cases through the Pro Bono Project are covered under Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s malpractice insurance and receive CLE ethics credits toward their license requirements. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Maeghan Jones at mjones@laet.org. IMPORTANT: Legal Aid of East Tennessee has relocated to 535 Chestnut Street, Ste 360, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

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