Two attorneys were in the spotlight for their pro bono work at the Benton Franklin Legal Aid Society’s annual attorney appreciation luncheon.

The nonprofit provides free legal aid for those in need, covering family law, debtor issues, bankruptcy, wills, Social Security and immigration. 

In 2024, Legal Aid received about 4,000 requests for help and provided 1,009 applicants with legal aid assistance. 

Washington Supreme Court Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud spoke at this year’s Dec. 13 luncheon, which honored the society’s volunteers.

Al Yencopal Award

The Al Yencopal Award is named for the late judge Al Yencopal, who died in 1993. He was a supporter of bringing low- or no-cost legal services to the community, and the award honors an individual for their similar commitment to free services.

This year’s honoree was Patrick McBurney Jr. of McBurney Law. 

He graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1988 and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho’s College of Law in 1992. 

McBurney opened the Law Office of Patrick McBurney in Pasco in 1995, and the firm is now located in Kennewick. He contracted with the Franklin County District Court from 2003-11 to provide indigent defense services, and he is currently a contractor for Benton County Superior Court, providing indigent defense in child support contempt proceedings. 

He has been a Benton County Superior Court public defender in the civil contempt role since 2007.

McBurney has volunteered for Legal Aid and supported its program efforts throughout his entire career, the society said.

Gene Schuster Award

The nonprofit’s Gene Schuster Award, named after the late Legal Aid founder, typically honors volunteers early in their careers. 

This year’s awardee was Alyssa Lindburg, an attorney at Celski Law. 

Alyssa Lindburg, left, an attorney with Celski Law, was Benton Franklin Legal Aid Society’s 2024 Gene Schuster Award winner. Barb Otte-Potter, right, is the nonprofit’s executive director.

| Courtesy Benton Franklin Legal Aid Society

Lindburg began practicing law in 2022 after successfully completing the APR 6 Law Clerk Program, an alternative to law school. 

She graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and has a master’s degree in military history with a concentration in World War II, which she received with honors from American Public University. 

She’s provided services in the nonprofit’s program clinics and the newly minted Domestic Violence Attorney Program in addition to providing support for the society’s fundraising efforts.

Lindburg has stepped up with true leadership in the community to provide access to justice, according to Legal Aid. 

Other awards 

The Legal Aid event also honored several other volunteers.

Mariah Lujano, Elisa Cantu, Jeremy Bishop, Kolleen Ledgerwood and Rebecca Saitz were recognized for taking more than three cases in 2024 and/or participating in monthly family law clinics.

Mark Von Weber, Legal Aid’s part-time limited license legal technician, also was recognized for donating more than 800 hours of his time to the society’s program. 

Kari Hayles Davenport, Don Schirm and Celski Law were honored for dedicating over 230 hours to the Domestic Violence Attorney Program. Legal Aid launched the program in 2024 to provide victims with a pro bono attorney in court. 

Legal Aid also highlighted Pronto Processing Services’ dedication. The business provides free services and free delivery of information to the legal community for Legal Aid’s program.