Defense Attorneys Aren’t Just In it for the Money

by Roy Umlauf

This article originally appeared the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers’ Defense News.

Our organization includes many individuals who help others besides their clients, and who are dedicated to teaching and helping others. Community service is an important part of the WDTL's goals and mission. 

In 1996, Bruce Lamb started the WDTL's pro bono program. The pro bono program provides volunteer tort defense work through the Volunteer Legal Service (VLS) organization of the King County Bar Association. Bruce Lamb's vision continues today through the efforts of the WDTL pro bono panel which is headed up by my shareholder, Terry Cullen. Terry enjoys handling the pro bono cases and coordinating the program, but is not someone who seeks attention or thanks, although well deserved. The pro bono panel includes: Terry Cullen, Michelle Flanagan, Karen Bertram, Brad Davis, Gary Swearinger, Dave LeMaster, Steve Moriarty, Terry Hall, Andy Cooley and Robert Gellatly.

Tim Malarchick, a WDTL member from Gig Harbor, is also involved in a worthwhile yet dangerous program. Tim is a volunteer for the International Justice Mission (IJM). He recently returned from a 10-day trip to Thailand where he was performing undercover field operations for the organization. 

IJM focuses on helping to free minors (typically 12-15 years of age) who have been sold into prostitution in Thailand. Tim was involved in their first undercover field operation. One night, he was accompanied by two other volunteers to investigate a brothel out in the "middle of nowhere." Only one of the volunteers spoke Thai. Somehow the driver guessed that Tim and his cohorts were involved with the undercover operation. Tim, the driver and the other undercover members put their lives at risk. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The overall mission was a success. Tim reports the recent arrest of brothel operators and owners that resulted in freeing more than 30 girls age 15 or younger. Tim has taken the WDTL mission of seeking civil justice outside our borders.

My fellow shareholder and WDTL member Carl Forsberg has fostered his passion for teaching by coaching a high school competition trial team. Over the last year, Carl volunteered one night each week. This did not include the extra practice sessions and the competition itself. Carl’s team placed second in the state finals.

Mike Runyan, a Seattle WDTL member, instituted a program piloted by the Defense Research Institute (DRI) to provide presentations to high school students across the state on the dangers of drinking and driving. These presentations include use of videos, photos and literature from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Rich Relyea, of Spokane, put together handouts for other WDTL members to use and made many presentations in the Spokane area. Some members have included photos from their own cases showing the graphic consequences of not wearing a seatbelt and/or drinking and driving. The WDTL hopes to continue this program with more WDTL volunteers.

These are just a few examples of WDTL members volunteering in areas that do not benefit their pocketbooks. Our state bar president’s theme for this year is "Proud to Be a Lawyer." When hearing about the efforts of my fellow WDTL members, I think we should be proud to be civil defense trial lawyers.