BMR was happy to attend the State Bar Reception for the ‘Diversity Clerkship Program’ for 2022. This was BMR’s 4th year participating in this important clerkship program. We have been lucky to work this summer (2022) with our fabulous law clerk, Alex Gordon, a student at the University of Wisconsin Law School going into his second year. (Photo #2 - Courtesy of the State Bar of Wisconsin)
In July, Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. partnered with some other area law firms to collect gently used professional clothing for University of Wisconsin Law Students to help them build their professional wardrobes. BMR is happy to help support our future attorneys.
Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C.’s Attorney Will Bolte and Kelly Kiorpes (paralegal) participated in the summer Basic Wills and Estate Planning Clinic held from 9 a.m. - noon on June 24th, 2023. Sponsored by Community Justice, Inc and held at St. Luke’s Church in Madison, Wisconsin, Attorney Bolte and Ms. Kiorpes spent the morning working with low-income individuals seeking basic estate planning documents, including wills, durable powers of attorney and health care powers of attorney – all provided at no cost. The clinic pre-registers individuals and provides them with a questionnaire to complete prior to their appointment so that they arrive prepared with the basic information necessary to complete the estate plan documents. The volunteer professionals sit down with the individuals to go through the questionnaire, answer any questions they may have, and prepare and execute the estate planning documents. Attorney Bolte worked with a veteran making his first will and durable power of attorney, while Ms. Kiorpes completed their documents based upon the client’s questionnaire and his conversation with Attorney Bolte. Both also served as witnesses and notaries as needed. It was a small but mighty operation, with a team of about 10 volunteers lead by Jennifer Binkley of Community Justice, Inc. and Norma Kropp, Instructor and Legal Services Chair at Madison College. The team worked efficiently and effectively to ensure that every client walked away with their finalized and free estate plan documents. The complimentary coffee also helped! The next estate plan clinic is tentatively slated for some time in Fall 2023, and volunteer opportunities are open to attorneys, paralegals, and legal studies students. Anyone interested in volunteering their time may reach out to Jennifer Binkley at jenniferb@communityjusticeinc.org.
The event held on May 4, 2023, featured a silent auction and a raffle with donations from local Dane County businesses, live music, refreshments, and an opportunity to socialize and network. Members of the DAIS Legal Advocacy Team also shared a series of inspiring client stories highlighting the positive, far-reaching impact of their work.