
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 29, 1994                   TAG: 9410310027
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LEGAL AID SOCIETY HONORS 2

Two New River Valley lawyers were honored Thursday for helping low-income clients of the local Legal Aid Society.

Piper Durrell, Virginia Tech's student legal services attorney, and Robert Kane, a Giles County lawyer, were recognized during the Legal Aid Society of the New River Valley's annual fall banquet.

Durrell previously worked with Legal Aid and continues to support its programs and workshops, said Debra Scott, coordinator of the society's Private Bar Involvement program.

Kane is a member of Legal Aid's board of directors and accepts every referral the organization sends his way, Scott said.

Lawyers such as Kane and Durrell help Legal Aid serve an ever-increasing load of clients who otherwise might not get the legal assistance they need.

In 1994, about 200 clients will receive help from private lawyers who have donated their services to referrals from Legal Aid.

Legal Aid depends on pro bono work from other lawyers to augment its three full-time attorneys, one part-time attorney and office staff.

But more involvement is needed, said Debbie Sifford, the organization's executive director. Between last October and June 1994, more than 1,000 people were denied service because of the Legal Aid's over-extended caseload.

by CNB