"Proud to Be a Lawyer"

Week of May 17, 2004

Chelan County attorney Charles Steinberg is handling a probate matter on a pro bono basis.  The remarkable part of the story is as follows:

The deceased was, up until two years ago, homeless and living on the streets of Wenatchee.  He was befriended by members of a local church, who took him food once a week at a local park.  Eventually, the church members helped him get disability benefits and arrange housing.  For the past two years, he has been living in low-income housing locally and became a member of the particular church.

The gentleman passed away last Saturday.  Attorney Charles Steinberg, who is a member of the church and had hosted the deceased for dinner after his baptism, has started a probate action to administer the deceased's meager estate.  In so doing, he made somewhat extraordinary efforts to contact the deceased's son and brother, whom the deceased had not seen for approximately 22 and 32 years, respectively.  Mr. Steinberg obtained a court order for access to the deceased's apartment to secure his belongings for his family members and to obtain suitable burial clothing.  The church is advancing the costs for the funeral. 

Mr. Steinberg modestly commented that it was his "pro bono case for the month."  However, he has stepped in to quickly, efficiently and competently take care of a matter that would likely otherwise flounder. 

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