The Groves Law Offices Receives Pro Bono and Public Service APEX Award—Group │ Sept. 27, 2019
Devoted Small Firm Enhances the Tacoma Community with Long-Running free Legal Clinic
SEATTLE [Sept. 27, 2019] — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) presented The Groves Law Offices, L.L.P., the 2019 APEX Pro Bono and Public Service Award (Group). This award is presented to a law firm, or other legal entity for outstanding cumulative efforts in providing pro bono services or that gives back in meaningful ways to the public, the community, or to the legal profession. WSBA President William D. Pickett presented the award at the annual WSBA APEX (Acknowledging Professional Excellence) Awards Dinner on Sept. 26 at the Sheraton Seattle.
Laura M. Groves and Travis S. Groves saw an unmet need in their community of Tacoma for legal aid, and they stepped up. For nearly three years, The Groves Law Office has opened its doors for a 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday legal clinic.
“Travis and Laura Groves reflect the spirt and intent of this award and their exceptional service in their free family-law legal clinic should be applauded and honored,” Tacoma criminal and family law attorney Andrea Jarmon said. “… With limited resources, short on time, and they have families, too—but every Saturday, they are here engaging and helping the community. That’s remarkable.”
As managing partners of The Groves Law Office, Laura and Travis’ clinic has helped with client overflow from other volunteer legal services, provided mediation services for pro se litigants, and taken on a regular flow of walk-in clients who need assistance navigating the court system in all manner of family law matters.
“We have not ever actually had a law firm contact us like Groves did and say, ‘Hey, we want to do pro bono work, can we partner with you guys?’” said TACOMAPROBONO Program Director & Bar Foundation Executive Director Laurie Davenport. “They are dedicated to the proposition that this is a really important part of their work. They basically will do whatever it takes to get help for people.”
About the Washington State Bar Association
The WSBA operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court and exercises a governmental function authorized by the Court to license and regulate the state’s nearly 40,000 legal professionals, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited license legal technicians. The WSBA both regulates legal professionals under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association — all without public funding. The WSBA administers the Bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; administers the lawyer discipline system; and provides continuing legal education for legal professionals, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities. The Bar’s mission is to serve the public and its members, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.
