Never underestimate the far reaching impact of volunteering your time, talents, and abilities to serve others. Giving of yourself can be a powerful influence that will bring positive change to another’s life…forever.
Meet Karen Hummel
What would you do if you needed legal representation and yet had no way to pay?
Karen Hummel found herself in this situation in 1995. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is where she turned. Karen had married young, had a child, and was now desperately seeking legal help to obtain a divorce.
Like many of us, Karen had the perception of a lawyer that the general media tends to put forth…those who are interested in personal profit only and not their client’s situation.
“After I met with Ann Bergen, my Legal Aid lawyer, I definitely had a different opinion,” she says. ”She gave me information and advice and helped me feel more comfortable about dealing with my situation. Going to court is scary if you haven’t been through it before.”
It’s because of volunteers like Ann that Karen was inspired to pursue a different course in life, a course that included giving others the same compassion and care she had received. She chose to go back to school and become an attorney herself!
A Changed Life
Today, Karen is an attorney at Hummel Law, LLC., married to Mark Hummel, a mom of three kids, and an animal lover with two dogs, three cats, and a bird. She loves to read and to do anything artistic. She ran in two half marathons, one in New York City and one in Philadelphia, while working and going to law school.
“I love Geauga County because it’s a great place to raise a family,” she says of her life now. “Geauga County has a beautiful park system, we have wonderful people here, and we have really nice shops and attractions. I have enjoyed getting more involved in the community. I was in the Leadership Geauga Class of 2014, and I’m a member of the Red Key Network. I’m involved with the Legal Aid Society and I serve on the Board of Trustees for Geauga County Habitat for Humanity.”
Yes, Karen is giving back as a volunteer at the Legal Aid Society as one who knows and understands what is like to be ‘on the other side.’ She volunteers at their divorce clinics at the Lake County Court of Common Pleas whenever it fits into her schedule.These professionals at the Legal Aid Society know from the beginning that the clients can’t pay.
“Taking a pro bono case (doing legal work for free) is a big time commitment, and the lawyers who take these cases truly care about helping people who have no other options,” says Karen, who is grateful for the high level of compassion she received from them. “If I had gone to a firm for help, I probably wouldn’t even have gotten an appointment. I would not have been able to pay a retainer.”
After Karen remarried, she thought about becoming a lawyer for years, but going back to school seemed almost impossible with small kids. Instead, she worked at a variety of jobs that fit around her husband’s schedule so that their kids weren’t in daycare while they were young.
But kids do grow up! And finally the day came when she could pursue another course.
A New Career
“I returned to school because I felt like I could use my personal experience to provide the same sort of representation that I received. A good lawyer can make a difference in how the client feels about the legal system. It’s really important to me to be accessible to my clients so that they feel comfortable calling me with questions or to get an update on their case. I recently represented a husband who was being emotionally abused by his wife, and I was in frequent contact with the husband to help him decide how to deal with his wife throughout the divorce process.” She says that family law cases, which include divorce, dissolution, child support and custody, can be challenging because they are often very emotional.
She also represents clients in personal injury cases including auto accidents, dog bites, and slip and fall cases. “I work with the insurance company so that the client doesn’t have to do it. I attempt to reach a reasonable settlement with the insurance company. If a settlement is not possible, the case proceeds to litigation. I recently settled a case where the client attempted to reach an agreement with the insurance company before seeking representation. He became frustrated, and contacted me to assist him. I was able to substantially increase the amount that the insurance company offered for his car as well as the amount they were willing to pay for his injuries.”
Reducing the ‘Scary’ Factor
Initial contact with a client can be uncomfortable and awkward for them. Karen’s goal is to provide some general information about the process to get things started. “Then I ask several questions and really listen to their answers. Often, people are ready to tell their story by the time they meet with me. If someone isn’t ready to talk about their personal situation yet, I let them know that I am not encouraging litigation. There is no pressure to become a client or to file a lawsuit. Sometimes people need to think things over before deciding to move forward.”
Not all attorneys are alike. Each has personal strengths. Karen focuses on empowering her clients by giving them the information they need to start over. That along with her accessibility is what sets her apart from other practices. “My clients seem to appreciate being able to easily communicate with me, and I think they also appreciate that I provide a realistic summary of the options that are available to them. I don’t paint a rosy picture just to get a case.”
How can I know I am choosing the right lawyer?
Choosing who will represent you in a legal dispute can be difficult. Karen offers some advice when trying to settle on the ‘right’ lawyer. Here are some things to consider:
What is your goal in your case?
When you meet with a lawyer, ask them to tell you about their style of representation.
Your lawyer should offer you advice, but also be willing to listen to you, because you are the one who will be making the important decisions in your case.
Do you feel comfortable with your lawyer?
You should be able to reach out to your lawyer if you have a question about your case.
To find a reputable lawyer:
- Talk with friends and family to see if they have had good experiences.
- Get a lawyer referral from your county Bar Association.
- Check on the Ohio Supreme Court website to see whether your lawyer has been disciplined.
A Caring Voice for YOU
What does Karen enjoy most about her work? “I enjoy being able to make the legal process less scary and stressful for my clients. I like to be able to give my clients a voice in court, so that their side of the story can be heard.”
The most challenging aspect is explaining to clients that the court process sometimes moves very slowly, so even important issues may take longer to resolve than the clients expect.
“Do you ever meet with a potential client who wants to see if you are a good ‘fit’ for them?” I asked Karen. “Absolutely! The initial consultation is free, and it’s a great way to make sure that the client is comfortable with me.”
Karen handles family law and personal injury cases. She also represents clients in estate planning, probate, and Social Security disability matters. Having journeyed from one needing legal aid to one offering legal aid has given her insight and compassion that is not always found in those who represent others. If you are in need of legal counsel, give Hummel Law a call. With a free initial consultation, this could be the beginning of the process required to solve your legal matter.
Hummel Law LLC
(440) 564-6600
