Local attorney Rendall Miller was recognized as Rural Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for 2015. He earned the award with over 200 hours of unpaid work, much of it at free “ask a lawyer” clinics held every other month in Winnemucca.
The free clinics are sponsored by Nevada Legal Services (NLS), which also gave Miller the award. NLS is a non-profit aiming to facilitate “equal access to justice for low-income Nevadans,” according to its website (nlslaw.net).
Miller said he has been doing the clinics ever since arriving in Winnemucca in 2011. “The NLS was looking for someone to help them locally. We wanted to make this our home, and it seemed like a good way for me to help out in the community.”
Initially, Miller held the clinics three times a year. Growing demand led to an every-other-month schedule.
NLS sends a paralegal from Reno to help. The paralegal handles intake qualification paperwork, and can also provide forms. “When you get to questions, that’s where I come in,” Miller said.
On occasion, Miller has even represented qualifying clients in court on a pro bono basis. He does the work at no cost to the client. At times, he may receive compensation from an opposing party, but “there’s no guarantee of that,” he said.
The next NLS clinic is scheduled for Jan. 8. Anyone interested in making an appointment is encouraged to call Roxanne Eaton at 775 284-3491.
