Nonprofit law firm to meet legal needs of 'regular' Idahoans

COEUR d’ALENE — As far as Virginia Robinson knows, her new full-service nonprofit law firm may be the first of its kind in the nation.

Attorneys Northwest, Inc., has officially hung its shingle at 1910 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200.

Robinson opened the nonprofit law firm to meet the legal needs of “regular” North Idahoans who are denied access to justice simply because they cannot afford traditional legal fees.

“We offer legal services at significantly reduced rates so that even modest means earners, which is most of Idaho, have access to quality legal counsel,” Robison said. “There are tens of thousands of Idahoans who have to go it alone in court or navigate a legal challenge without representation, at the mercy of a more affluent adversary.”

According to Robinson, a University of Idaho study from 2013, as reported by the Idaho State Bar, concludes that more than 775,000 Idahoans who face civil legal difficulties do not have the resources to seek the help of an attorney, and in 2012, 58 percent of civil cases, or more than 89,000, had a self-represented party to the case.

“Attorneys Northwest charges reduced fees based on tier levels of income up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level,” Robinson said. “As our volume of clients grows, I will implement an actual sliding scale fee schedule with the lowest fees going even lower than we have currently, which is my goal.”

Robinson, who got her law degree with a special emphasis on public interest law from Gonzaga University, said she is bankrolling the firm but needs to increase the caseload to make the firm viable.

“Unless we grow, we can’t keep the rates down,” she said. “It will take increased volume to make this work.”

Robinson said this law firm concept has always been a dream of hers and she is going to do everything she can to make it work.

“I want to level the playing field. Everyone should have access to the legal system,” she said. “These are hard working people living on minimal incomes. Some of these people are supporting families at $15 per hour.”

She said her specialty and passion is in business law. She said she once helped a small business successfully navigate a bogus lawsuit that was filed against it in small claims court.

“They were getting sued for $4,000, which isn’t a lot of money. But to them, it would have destroyed their business,” she said, adding that is when she realized that is the type of law she wants to do. “I am offended that regular people don’t have access to quality legal representation.”

She said she plans to market to the startup business community to help small businesses get off the ground and become employers.

She has an arrangement with a Spokane law firm that can do all her trademark and copyright work for a significantly reduced rate.

“Startups are also eligible for our tier-one rates,” she said, explaining that those who do a lot of online sales need to make sure they are legally trademarking their names. “If someone takes your trademark name they could ruin your business.”

Robinson has hired Pamela B. Massey and Brandie J. Rouse, who are like-minded attorneys.

“The attorneys who come here are doing it to make a difference,” Robinson said, adding they are still paid well.

She said she is also talking with other attorneys, and plans to hire more in the future. Robinson said the challenge is finding experienced attorneys who want to be part of it.

“It’s hard because most attorneys have student loans,” she said, adding she will also be hiring some less-experienced attorneys and law students as the practice grows.

She is also asking practicing attorneys to refer clients that can’t afford their rates to her. Robinson said her retainer fees are much smaller than most firms and she allows her clients to make payments.

The firm specializes in a wide array of civil legal services from full litigation to advice regarding self-help small claims matters.

“It strikes me as morally wrong that if you are charged with a crime that could land you in jail and you cannot afford counsel, you are appointed counsel free of charge,” Robinson said. “However, if you are faced with losing your children in a domestic conflict or your means of making a living in a business lawsuit, or you want to adopt a foster child or get a guardianship in place for grandma, you often have no affordable help available.”

“Frankly, I’d rather go to jail than lose my kids or my life’s work,” she said, adding it is her goal to change that dynamic.

Between the three attorneys and support staff the firm has a wide range of experience in family law issues, elder law issues, wills, juvenile matters, business law for startup micro-enterprises, child custody/support, adoptions, help for other nonprofits, and DUI.

Driving Under the Influence is the only criminal law the firm plans to practice, Robinson said, adding DUIs can be devastating to moderate income families and she wants to help with that.

She is talking with Heritage Health for referrals from patients who may be physically manifesting stress-related symptoms due to legal problems they are facing.

“We are getting referrals from Heritage, and I plan to talk with Kootenai Health as well,” she said. "We also offer mediation services directly to the public, when appropriate, so folks can attempt to resolve issues economically without engaging an attorney at all."

“I do not plan on applying for federal or state grants to fund the company, so we will not compete for those limited funds with our local legal aid groups, rather, our revenue is from fees charged for services, and donations,” Robinson explained. “We are not a free service — although we do provide a free initial telephone consultation.”

Robinson said she has discussed the concept with people at the city and county levels, and it has been well received.

“I hope the community supports our efforts,” she said. “If the community wants to make this happen, we can do this.”