Benton Franklin Legal Aid honored several attorneys at its annual attorney appreciation luncheon and celebrated some milestones.

The nonprofit provides free legal aid for those in need of assistance with family law, debtor issues, bankruptcies, wills, Social Security and immigration cases.

This year, the organization doubled its office space and staff and quadrupled its funds through fundraising and grants. 

Attorneys provided 1,472 hours pro bono, with 512 hours and 87 cases dedicated to victims of domestic violence via the nonprofit’s Domestic Violence Attorney Program, which begins its third year in 2026.

Jim Bamberger, attorney and founding director of Washington’s Office of Civil Legal Aid, gave the keynote speech during the Dec. 5 event. 

Al Yencopal Award

Andy Miller, retired Benton County prosecutor, received the Al Yencopal Award, which honors those with a long volunteer history with Benton Franklin Legal Aid. 

Miller was the prosecutor of Benton County for 36 years, the longest-serving elected prosecutor in Washington. He was named Tri-Citian of the Year for 2025.

He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Washington and then went to Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.

Due to his role as a prosecutor, he was unable to donate his legal time to Legal Aid, but he supported the nonprofit by attending events and directing people to the organization. 

This year, Legal Aid had its most successful fundraising event ever with Miller serving as the emcee.

The award is particularly meaningful because the late Al Yencopal, who died in 1993, was the judge on Miller’s first criminal trial, Miller said, and he always showed kindness and professionalism.  

Gene Schuster Award

Angelita Chavez, an immigration attorney, was honored with the Gene Schuster Award. The award recognizes those who are fairly new to the organization and who have gone above and beyond in their participation. 

Through Chavez’s efforts, Legal Aid received a $150,000 three-year financial award from The Share Fund of Washington. 

Chavez is the owner and founder of local law firm The Chavez Firm PLLC, which provides immigration services. 

She has presented on immigration topics in webinars, workshops and more in both Spanish and English. She organized a pro bono naturalization clinic for those on the path to becoming a U.S. citizen.

She is a board member of The Share Fund, Campaign for Equal Justice for the Legal Foundation of Washington, and Elijah Family Homes. 

She is a past president of BNI 50 Gunners, a Tri-Cities networking group, and a mentor of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) Plus program. 

Other awards

Several Legal Aid volunteers received awards for taking on more than three cases in the past year and volunteering for the nonprofit’s monthly clinics: Elisa Cantu of Chvatal, King Law; Rebecca Saitz of Tri-City Family Law; Quinn Bell, pro bono volunteer/housing attorney; Maggie Esquivel of Gravis Law; Lori Mendoza of Clearwater Law; Kolleen Ledgerwood of Ledgerwood Law; and Mark Von Weber, limited legal licensed technician volunteer for Legal Aid. 

Von Weber was recognized for volunteering more than 700 hours this year. 

Volunteers in the Domestic Violence Attorney Program also received an award for the time they donated to the program. Those honorees were Kari Hayes Davenport, Don Schirm and Alyssa Lindberg. 

The Hero Award honored Marla Marvin, a retired U.S. Department of Energy attorney, for going above and beyond in serving Legal Aid with dedication, compassion and service. Marvin has spent hours writing grants for the program as well as doing pro bono work.