January 2005

Tim is a second year law student who

has been volunteering with the VLP

Domestic Relations Clinic since last

spring. Since he began volunteering with

the VLP, Tim has always offered to cover

extra clinics, often with little notice.

Moreover, Tim's clients particularly

appreciate Tim's calm demeanor and

his sincere willingness to fully investigate

their legal issues.

Tim came to Tucson from Washington state,

where he earned a bachelor's degree in Agribusiness and Spanish at Washington

State University in Pullman. Once in Tucson, Tim worked as a community

development officer, researching funding sources for affordable housing and

economic development in rural Arizona and presenting funding programs to low-

income families. At the College of Law, Tim has continued his advocacy for at-

risk groups by focusing on elder law. In addition to participating in the National

Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and volunteering with the Tucson Senior

Olympics, Tim clerked for the Honorable Fred Dardis last summer, which gave

him further exposure to elder law and other probate issues. After graduation, Tim

hopes to practice both elder law and estates and trusts.

When asked why he participates in the VLP Advocates, Tim notes that he

originally just wanted "a chance to work face-to-face with clients in a pro bono

setting." Tim believes that the VLP has helped him "put law school into

perspective by applying legal concepts to real problems." Moreover, he

appreciates that the VLP gave him the "opportunity to learn from practicing

attorneys and to provide legal services to low-income clients."

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