2006 Exceptional Pro Bono Award Recipient
 Cecile Wiginton,
CLA, Midland, winner of this year's Paralegal Division
Exceptional Pro Bono Award, is certainly one of the most deserving paralegal
volunteers that the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas has ever had.
Cecile has worked with the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas Pro Bono Clinic held
at Casa de Amigos in Midland, Texas for six (6) years and has been instrumental
in recruiting other paralegals and attorneys to donate their time to the clinic
as well. Casa de Amigos Legal Aid Clinic in Midland, Texas is run by Legal Aid
of Northwest Texas ("LANWT") which is part of a statewide program
funded by grants. LANWT adopted the 2006 Equal Justice Volunteer Program ("EJVP")
work plan for its 114 county service area. The local office of LANWT serves a
six-county area. The 2006 EJVP Plan is a collaborative partnership with bar
associations and its members, law firms, law schools, community professionals
and public service providers that combine resources to offer a full range of
civil legal services to the indigent population. They enlist the volunteer
services of local attorneys to assist clients who cannot otherwise pay for legal
services. Cecile has worked at the clinic doing "intake" for the
clients who schedule appointments for the second Tuesday evening of each month.
On occasion, Cecile has helped raise money to meet requirements for matching
grants and helped solicit contributions to defray costs of mandated CLE events.
The intake process involves interviewing the prospective client to determine
eligibility based on income and determining the exact legal service needed. The
types of cases that LANWT accepts are bankruptcy, consumer law, debt harassment,
family law, wills and probate, and other civil matters. However, no criminal
cases are accepted. The file is then taken by a volunteer attorney to do the
work needed.
In 2005, Cecile was asked to serve on the Pro Bono Advisory Board for LANWT
EJVP representing various charitable groups, such as Safe Place and Fairhaven,
dedicated to helping those in need, and including representatives from the local
bar associations. The role of the Advisory Board is to promote private attorney
participation, serve as a think-tank for existing and new pro bono programs,
assist in the planning and coordination of seminars, clinics and CLE workshops;
act as a clearing house for pro bono promotion and media outreach. Seminars are
presented to low income families regarding income tax, Medicare, and other items
of concern.
Cecile says she was humbled when she volunteered one evening at the pro bono
clinic. She was hooked w her heart went out to the "clients" seeking
help, their sincere need of legal help and lack of resources to pay for same.
Some worked two jobs, but at minimum wages, to make ends meet. She learned that
some of our retail businesses would not allow them to work a full 40-hour work
week, therefore, no benefits available like health insurance. Cecile realizes
that she cannot solve their problems, but she can make them feel comfortable in
the process, treat them with respect and hopefully convey a message that the
legal world is not a scary one. Cecile believes the Legal Aid program serves a
very real purpose in the community.
Cecile has also assisted with the Midland Teen Court program. The Teen Court
program, which brings teen traffic offenders to a court-based program, uses
youth participation as an alternative system of justice and educational
opportunity, offering young offenders an opportunity to accept responsibility
and make restitution for their offenses through community service, specialized
classes and jury service, thus avoiding fines and sentences and keeping the
offenses off their records. The Court is a hands-on educational opportunity that
allows both offenders and teen volunteers to experience, thus better understand,
the justice system. Cecile has been very impressed with the caliber of teen
volunteers in this program, their dedication and quest for knowledge and the
positive influence it has on many teenagers headed for trouble. Cecile has
worked at several of these sessions and has solicited and coordinated volunteers
among the paralegals in her community for these sessions. The Teen Court program
began in 1986 by the Junior League of Midland, Inc.
Cecile is a Charter member of Paralegal Association/Permian Basin f/k/a Legal
Assistants of the Permian Basin (LAAPB), where she has served as President,
Education Chairman, Programs Chairman and Pro Bono Chairman. Cecile is also a
Charter member of the Paralegal Division, where she has served on the
Membership, Public Relations and Elections Committees for District 11, as
Director for District 11, as Treasurer and Continuing Education Committee.
Cecile is selfless and always steps up when it comes to legal aid. Never
tiring, she volunteers to make the law available to all. Cecile is a great
example to each of us.
Cecile is a NALA Certified Paralegal and works in Midland, Texas, as a
paralegal for the law firm of Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe & Dawson.
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