Lawyers volunteer at Self-Help Center

Photo courtesy Communications & Community Relations Office Hawaii State Judiciary

Kauai attorneys were recognized for their volunteer service to the community Wednesday at the Kauai County Bar Association meeting. They provided free legal information to more than 450 people in 2017. First row from left: Mai Shiraishi, Sonia Song (AmeriCorps Advocate), Sherman Shiraishi, Katherine Caswell, Nancy Budd, Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald. Second row from left: Kai Lawrence, Allison Lee, Judge Kathleen Watanabe. Third row: Brandon Kimura, Deputy Administrative Director of the Courts.

LIHUE — Nine attorneys were recognized for their volunteer service to the residents of Kauai during the Kauai County Bar Association meeting in Lihue on Wednesday.

These attorneys provided free legal information to more than 450 people who visited the Self-Help Center at the Kauai Courthouse in 2017.

The courthouse Self-Help Center was established in October 2011 as part of the Hawaii State Judiciary’s commitment to help people who must represent themselves in civil cases because they cannot afford an attorney.

Since opening, more than 2,600 people have received assistance, with volunteer attorneys providing legal information on civil matters, such as landlord-tenant cases, temporary restraining orders and divorce.

“I am grateful to the attorneys who volunteer their time at our Self-Help Center, assisting individuals who are representing themselves in court,” said Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. “The generous donation of legal expertise by these attorneys has been essential to advancing our goal of ensuring that all Hawaii residents have equal access to justice.”

The attorneys who were honored are: Nancy Budd, Katherine Caswell, Kai Lawrence, Allison Lee, Shoshana O’Brien, Adam Roversi, Mia Shiraishi, Sherman Shiraishi, and Aaron Kakinami, who passed away earlier this year.

AmeriCorps Advocate Sonia Song who, through the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, runs the Kauai Courthouse Self-Help Center, was also acknowledged.

“I am so pleased by the support the Kauai County Bar Association and our local attorneys have given to this effort,” said Linda Vass, Managing Attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii on Kauai.

At the Kauai Courthouse Self-Help Center, volunteer Attorneys and an Americorps Advocate provide limited legal information on District and Family Court civil matters, including landlord-tenant cases, collection cases, District and Family Court temporary restraining orders, divorces, custody and other matters.

Assistance may be given in the form of providing court forms, reviewing court documents for interpretation or to insure that the forms have been completed correctly.

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