By Stacy Rupprecht Butler

 

The Attorney of the Month for October is

Mike Hornisher. Mr. Honrisher has been

a member of Southern Arizona Legal Aid’s

Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) since

1982.  During that time he has consistently

provided pro bono legal services to clients

in need of assistance with wills, powers of

attorneys and living wills.  Recently, Mr. Hornisher became one of the first

volunteers in the community to participate in the VLP’s HIV/Aids pilot project. 

The project searches for volunteers to assist clients in need of  wills and

advance directives.  The VLP’s monthly award is a distinct honor: of the

1200 attorneys who volunteer with their time with the VLP, only 12 receive

the VLP’s Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney award each year. 

 

Q&A with Mike Hornisher:

 

Where are you from? 

I moved to Tucson in 1963 and attended Catalina High School and the

University of Arizona. I graduated from the U of A just before the new Student

Union building was to be built. I attended the U of A Law School and graduated

just before the new law college building was to be built.

 

What is the history of your practice of law? 

During law school I participated in the Neighborhood Law Office program. Bill

H. Enriquez was my supervising attorney. We did wills and divorces out of

the El Rio Neighborhood Center. During my third year of law school I worked

in the Pima County Attorney's Office during Dennis DeConcini's tenure as

Pima County Attorney. At that time the County Attorney's office was located

on the ninth floor of the courthouse building. I prosecuted misdemeanors in

Justice Court which was located across the street above what is now the

Subway shop. I worked for attorney Charles J. Rondelli for a few years and

have since been a sole practitioner centering my practice on real estate,

commercial landlord‑tenant and business law.

 

What drives you to volunteer with VLP?

I find personal value in helping people with legal problems. In particular the

simple act of drafting a will, power of attorney and living will ensures that what

little some people may have will get to their heirs as simply as possible.

 

One reason you would encourage attorneys to volunteer with VLP ?

I encourage others to take a little time to pay back to the community through

volunteerism. These acts improve the public's perception of lawyers and can

give lawyers a broader view of the community ‑‑ definitely a win‑win proposition.

 

For more information about the VLP please call Michele Mirto at 520.623.9465,

extension 4171.