Posted October 23, 20257:30 am
Bruce Hutton retired
from his estate planning and administration practice in 2017. He never thought that after retiring he would be traveling more than an hour for a pro bono case. Instead of slowing down, Bruce continues his volunteer work with Legal Aid.
“Bruce also attends Brief Advice Clinics and has frequently said 'This is too complex for a clinic. I'll take on the case,” said Lily Mann, Senior Attorney in Legal Aid’s Intake Group and Volunteer Lawyers Program.
The Syracuse University College of Law graduate first heard of Legal Aid in the 1980’s when he was asked to join its advisory committee.
“We weren't directors, but we advised on various issues such as funding,” he said.
What has always meant the most to Bruce regarding his volunteer work is helping the people who need it most.
“I think that helping people is always what has been first and foremost in my mind and I think that coincides with the mission of Legal Aid. Volunteering with Legal Aid offers me opportunities to use my legal skills for people who need legal help,” said Bruce. “Volunteering also gives opportunities for me and others to take a pro bono case or help at a brief advice clinic by offering assistance with a case or giving legal advice.”
With 40 years of volunteer experience under his belt, Bruce hopes that others will support Legal Aid as well.
“I would encourage others to volunteer so that they can help people,” Bruce said. “Maybe they are in a firm where their focus is in one area of law, but they would like to stretch their abilities. They can go to a clinic where they can volunteer for a case and help in a different practice area.”
Isabel McClain, a Project Manager in Legal Aid’s Intake Group and Volunteer Lawyers Program, has worked with Bruce at many legal clinics.
“Bruce is a champion of our work in the eastern counties and has taken estate planning cases across a huge geographic area- from Ashtabula to the east side of Euclid,” said Isabel. “He's also an expert in probate law- a notoriously tricky discipline- and is a wonderful mentor to attorneys at clinics in this area.”
To learn more about volunteering with Legal Aid, visit the volunteer section of our website, or email probono@lasclev.org.
To watch the recorded interview: