Marsha Hunter is a sole practitioner who has been volunteering with DVAP for several years.  She strongly believes that it is our responsibility as attorneys to ensure that the justice system works for the economically disadvantaged, as well as for those who have resources.  The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program has given her the opportunity to help individuals in our community who really need and deserve help.  “I do not know of any other organization that has done as much to change the lives of others for the better in this way, and I am delighted to be able to be a part of that effort,” Marsha says.  She has taken several contested family law cases and probate cases.  “The DVAP staff screens the clients they send to me, so much of the initial work has already been done when the client comes to my office for their first interview.  The DVAP mentor attorneys are always available to answer questions and provide guidance, forms, and other resources.  Volunteering with DVAP does not take a great deal of time, and the rewards are great.  I intend to continue to volunteer with DVAP in the years to come and encourage other attorneys to do so,” Marsha states.  Thank you, Marsha!

Noel Chakkalakal is a patent attorney at Research in Motion, helping to prosecute complex electrical, computer and telecommunications patents, and assisting with related litigation.  Noel has distinguished himself in the pro bono arena by attending nearly every weekly clinic at the Housing Crisis Center and offering advice to applicants regarding their various landlord-tenant issues.  "My time with the HCC has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  We see individuals and families facing difficult and often heartbreaking circumstances, and we do our best to help.  Often, we provide legal advice to solve a problem, and sometimes, we help by just talking to them about their situation.  Serving the Dallas community with other members and volunteers of the HCC has been educational and inspirational, and I look forward to continuing to serve," Noel says.  Thank you, Noel!

Christina L. McCracken is a litigation attorney with Gordon & Rees, L.L.P. She is a native of Dallas and practiced law for several years with her late father, Howard C. McCracken, Jr. Christina states, “My father was an honorable attorney. After he died, I heard many stories from judges, attorneys and former clients of his just and fair handling of cases and how cared for the legal needs of those in poverty.” During law school, Christina volunteered with Legal Aid and had success in obtaining social security benefits withheld for years from a client. Unfortunately, the day the favorable decision came granting the benefits, she was notified that her client had died from the medical condition. This event impacted Christina’s motivation for immediate redress for those in poverty. When her law career brought her practice to downtown, she became involved with DVAP. According to Christina, “DVAP is an exceptional organization with the most talented and dedicated attorneys and staff.” In the spring of 2008, Christina spoke about the range of services offered to the poor through DVAP to a group of international lawyers during an International Visitor Leadership Program. Christina is the 2009-2010 Vice-Chair of the DBA Pro Bono Activities Committee and has served on the Equal Access to Justice Campaign Committee. “Volunteering with DVAP has brought me some of the most exciting and memorable experiences in my practice of law. In fact, I understand I am the first DVAP volunteer attorney to deliver a baby during a DVAP client’s mediation: Gregory (5 lbs. 7.1 oz.) born in November 2008.” Thank you, Christina!

Karl Larson is an intellectual property associate at Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. He has been taking cases through DVAP for the past three years, and especially enjoys landlord-tenant and consumer matters. In one case, he was able to collect a security deposit and treble damages for a low-income applicant. In another case, Karl represented the plaintiff in a lawsuit involving real property—seeking specific performance by the defendant to turn over equitable title to a house won in radio station contest. He represented the plaintiff at the preliminary injunction hearing and negotiated a $100,000 settlement from the radio station sponsoring the contest. Karl brought these two appreciative clients to meetings of the Dallas Bar Association Community Service Fund Board to share their stories. Thanks for all you do, Karl!

Kevin Ross is a criminal defense attorney with the law firm of Sorrels, Udashen and Anton. He serves as a DVAP mentoring attorney in the area of expunctions and petitions for nondisclosure. Since 2008, Kevin has volunteered his time in serving the needs of those seeking to have their eligible criminal cases expunged or sealed from public disclosure. He has presented CLE training to other DVAP attorneys desiring to handle expunctions and nondisclosures for those in need of cleaning up their criminal history. This service has proved beneficial to clients in helping them find employment. Kevin has also volunteered his time speaking at the Children’s Justice Project classes for children at risk or on probation. Thanks, Kevin!

Janice McCorkel is a sole practitioner in Mesquite, specializing in family and probate law. She has also served as a part-time municipal judge in Mesquite for the past seven years. She assists DVAP in adoption and custody cases through the DVAP Conflict Panel, often as a guardian ad litem. Her goal is to always be working on one or two cases at a time. Janice is appreciated by the DVAP staff as she is willing to take cases on short notice and has never turned down our requests for help. Thank you, Janice!

Irv Queal is a sole practitioner who has worked with DVAP for years representing clients in adoption and divorce proceedings.  As part of his representation of divorce clients, Irv assists with DVAP's divorce prove-ups on the second Tuesday of each month.  Additionally, Irv has contributed to DVAP's attorney training program by speaking at the DVAP family law training sessions.  Irv counts it as a privilege to work with the DVAP staff to assist the many people who seek help through DVAP.  Thank you, Irv! 

Kara Altenbaumer-Price is the Director of Complex Claims and Consulting at USI Southwest. As soon as she arrived in Dallas in 2004, she began volunteering monthly at the South Dallas Clinic, as well as the Housing Crisis Center clinics her firm staffed on a quarterly basis. She later started taking on DVAP cases for full representation and made a personal commitment that she would always have at least one pro bono matter on her docket at all times, and more when her caseload allowed. She has taken divorces, landlord-tenant matters, consumer cases, contract disputes and name change cases. In Kara’s opinion, DVAP has given back to her as well. Not only has it given her an outlet to feel good about helping out her community, it has also helped her in practical ways. DVAP has given her courtroom experience that is difficult to obtain and the opportunity to do work outside litigation. Kara states, “My DVAP cases have been some of my most rewarding legal experience—not because the cases or legal issues are complex, but because the people I’ve worked with really needed and appreciated the help. I feel that in some small way, I’m helping to correct some of the inequities in our community—a few individuals at a time. I am very grateful to DVAP for giving me that opportunity and making it so easy to do rewarding pro bono work.” Thank you for all you do, Kara!