MBA program will target clients of modest means

Listen to this article

“It’s kind of the middle ground. There is a huge need for a program like this to benefit both lawyers and the community.” Britt Bellinger, Director MBA Lawyer Referral & Information Service

Finding a lawyer can be a headache. Finding the right lawyer on a limited budget can be downright painful.

The Milwaukee Bar Association is hoping to provide a remedy.

A new initiative called Modest Means is scheduled to launch Aug. 1 with the purpose of providing affordable legal assistance to people of moderate and lower incomes.

Much like the MBA’s established Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) and organizations like Legal Aid and Legal Action, the new program will filter assistance from a pool of attorneys in a variety of fields to qualified candidates.

Modest Means will also help fill the financial gap between conventional legal rates and full public assistance initiatives.

"It’s kind of the middle ground," stated Britt Bellinger, Lawyer Referral & Information Service Director for the MBA. "There is a huge need for a program like this to benefit both lawyers and the community."

The mutually beneficial project is structured around flexibility and convenience according to Bellinger.

Attorneys will be able to regulate their referrals to coincide with their regular practice, while potential clients can enjoy expert representation in a variety of fields.

"There are occasionally open houses for lower income people to find a lawyer, but often times it’s a grab bag of problems and the specialized attention isn’t always there," said Andrew Frank, one of the first attorneys to join Modest Means. "This program will provide a more direct route to personalized assistance."

Significant reductions in retainer fees, litigation surcharges and other legal costs highlight benefits for the community.

Attorneys will find extensive rewards through Modest Means as well, according to Bellinger.

"It’s an opportunity for lawyers to get some experience in other areas of law, expand their practice, fill free time or transition into retirement," said Bellinger. "Plus, it’s a chance to feel good about helping the community."

At least 10 attorneys have already committed to the panel, which is free to join, with more expected to enlist in the future depending on the success rate of the program.

MBA Executive Director Jim Temmer has little doubt Modest Means will flourish from the start because of the tangible market.

	Related Links Milwaukee Bar Association

"In the past, people would call or stop in seeking help and now instead of saying sorry and hanging up, we can say, ‘Here’s an option that may work,’" said Temmer.

"This is something our board of directors has fully supported because of its positive impact on the public and the local legal community."

Temmer also hopes the results would help unclog the court system by way of better representation and smoother case resolutions.

Already a member of the LRIS and an attorney at Quale, Feldbruegge, Calvelli, Thom & Croke S.C., Frank hopes to handle a client a month for Modest Means.

"I think word of mouth will really help and expand membership," said Frank. "Personally, this is something I wanted to get involved in."

For more information on the Modest Means program, contact Britt Bellinger at 414-276-5931.

Jack Zemlicka can be reached by email.