the last year of their marriage.
Jack was released from the VA but refused to accept his doctor’ s diagnosis. He soon stopped taking his prescription medication and claimed he was fine. His life tragically ended when he went to a gun range and committed suicide.
The military had provided Jack with life insurance and he had named Martina as the sole beneficiary. Jack removed Martina as the beneficiary shortly before his death. Through numerous depositions, we were able to establish that Jack was exhibiting the symptoms of schizophrenia around the time he removed Martina as a beneficiary. The other parties ultimately conceded Jack was not mentally competent when he changed the beneficiary and agreed to let Martina have the life insurance benefit. With the proceeds, Martina was able to buy a house in a safe neighborhood with good schools. Her life and her children’ s lives will be markedly better because of the home she was able to provide. We all want to feel that what we are doing matters: that our efforts are essential and irreplaceable, that we have made a positive impact on the world, and my search for the feeling of purpose in my life has been rewarded countless times by the Lawyer Referral and Information Service( LRIS) of the Atlanta Bar Association. Over the years, I’ ve handled dozens and dozens of referral calls. These calls usually take less than 30 minutes, but I have
MEMBERSHIP
found them to be some of the most rewarding time I spend. Our legal system is complex and intimidating. Non-lawyers typically lack the expertise to navigate it without the help of an attorney. Oftentimes, these callers cannot afford to pay a lawyer by the hour. They have called other law firms but cannot get beyond the screeners. They may not have a viable claim, or a claim worth pursuing, but no one has ever explained why. I listen while they discuss their problems and then offer my advice. I often hear them say,“ I just want to talk with an attorney.”
On occasion, I receive a call from someone like Martina, who has a claim but will never prevail without a determined attorney. There is no more rewarding feeling than helping someone like Martina. That is when I know I have made a difference.
If you too want to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the community, consider joining the LRIS program. As a member since 1987, I can attest that it has been an exceptionally rewarding experience. Not only has it expanded my client base, but it has also allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the community by providing legal assistance to those in need. For more information about becoming an LRIS member, please contact the LRIS Director, Lucia Keller at lkeller @ atlantabar. org. www. atlantabar. org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 21