He and Wynona Ward put together an- other grant request, this time to cover re- lief from abuse actions in Bennington and Rutland Counties. And then they waited. “You can’t plan your life, you don’t know if there will be a job,” Lamson said. “If some- one offers you a job, you’re in a tough spot.” Lamson was looking for other em- ployment options, while also hoping that the new grant would come through in Sep- tember.
In August of 2011, Lamson’s wife, Kate, herself an attorney, resigned her job as assistant state’s attorney in Bennington County to prepare for the birth of their first child. Said John Lamson ruefully “When it gets that out of control, there is noth- ing you can do. Thank God we live in Ver- mont—we have friends, family, health in- surance, and used our savings to make our mortgage payments.”
“Our attitude was whatever happens, happens.” To make ends meet, Lamson took “low bono” cases through the Bennington County Legal Assistance Project, a county bar/VBA project he helped set up. He also did some legal work for private clients. And, incredibly, Lamson continued to help Have Justice–Will Travel clients seek relief from abuse orders—working for four months without pay. From May 1 to September of 2011, At- torney John Lamson attended every RFA day in Bennington Family Division, and fre- quently traveled to Rutland to help with the docket there. “I could not do every RFA in Rutland, because my travel wasn’t cov- ered,” Lamson said somewhat apologeti- cally, “but I tried to get there about twice a month.”
Lamson was a familiar sight in both courts. He would set up in one of the con- ference rooms, and visited with any plain- tiff who wanted to talk with him. “I think it helps a lot to have an attorney. It gives the victim a better understanding of what is likely to happen,” he noted. At court, Lam- son answered basic questions, helped ne- gotiate settlements, explained the process, the law, and what was likely to happen. “To everyone you talk to, it’s an abusive rela- tionship. But the judge may not think it meets the legal definition of abuse.” In September of 2011, Have Justice–Will
Travel did receive a new grant, and Lam- son was back on the payroll, representing clients in RFAs and providing advice and consultation in other family and civil mat- ters. John and Kate Lamson also celebrat- ed the birth of their daughter Penelope in October.
John Lamson is committed to Have Jus- tice–Will Travel, and greatly admires Wyn- ona Ward. “HJ–WT was started by a Ver- monter to help Vermonters to address Ver- mont needs,” he said, predicting “as long
www.vtbar.org
as there’s funding, I’ll still be here.” Lamson considers legal assistance on critical issues a basic human right. Pro bono work by all attorneys is needed to provide that service to all. He hopes younger at- torneys will become involved in pro bono work, and that their law firms will allow them to do it.
John Lamson does not consider himself unique for his pro bono commitment. He credits his background, and also the influ- ence of Jim May, for whom he worked at the South Royalton Legal Clinic. “Jim imparts the knowledge that you’ve got to try to understand what it is like for someone on the other side of the table. You can’t just look at legal issues or how a case moves through court,” Lamson re- called. Jim reminded John that “when you are
arguing a Social Security appeal, it’s not just how to get a report or other evidence in. It’s understanding that this person is liv- ing with disability that is causing him hor- rible physical pain.” Lamson takes May’s comments to heart. “When I attempt to dismiss things, to get them over with, I stop myself and remem- ber that I have a relationship with someone who has a totally different life experience. I have an obligation to be sympathetic to them, to do my best to help them, regard- less of whether I get paid, or their thanks, or even if they yell at me.”
Attorney John Lamson expressed grati- tude to the Pro Bono Committee and the VBA for selecting him for the Pro Bono Ser- vice Award. “I am really grateful and hum- bled. There are so many people who have won the award, who have done pro bono work for a number of years, and so many attorneys who are caring and empathet- ic.”
In addition to his work with Have Justice, Lamson is active in the Bennington Coun- ty Bar. He has served as its vice president, secretary, and mostly recently as president. He acknowledges that these roles have al- lowed him to know nearly all of the attor- neys in Bennington County. Lamson helps to coordinate the Bennington County Le- gal Assistance Project, funded by the Ver- mont Bar Foundation, which pays a re- duced fee to attorneys to represent low in- come clients.
“This was a tough year, but I have learned
through this trial by fire,” Lamson reflected. “Vermont is a great place to practice law. The attorneys really seem to care about their community.” ____________________ Mary C. Ashcroft, Esq., is the Pro Bono
Coordinator at the Vermont Bar Associa- tion and maintains a private practice in Rut- land, Vermont.
SAVE THE DATE!
Come CELEBRATE PRO BONO with the legal community on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Vermont State House, Montpelier, VT This all-day event will feature
speakers, exhibits and workshops
on access to justice and poverty law top- ics. Earn up to 6 hours of free CLE credit.
Watch the VBA website at
www.vtbar.org for more information and updates.
(This event sponsored by the Vermont Bar Association) THE VERMONT BAR JOURNAL • SUMMER 2012 35
John Lamson Honored with VBA Pro Bono Service Award
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