Corporate Counsel Volunteers

Shell Legal Partners with the United Way, The Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and Lone Star Legal Aid in a Pro Bono Day of Service

On November 6, Shell Legal US, working with volunteers from the Shell Hispanic Employee Network (SHEN) partnered with the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, The Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, and Lone Star Legal Aid in providing free legal services to impoverished Houstonians. In all, approximately 170 employees of Shell Legal US and 30 members of SHEN volunteered for the pro bono day of service that was hosted at the United Way's offices. In addition to providing legal advice and services, volunteers registered the clients, and served as witnesses, notaries, IT support and translators. Estate planning documents (wills, medical powers of attorney, living wills, and durable powers of attorney appointing guardians in the event of incapacity) were prepared for over 116 local residents. Additionally, fifteen legal advice teams conferred with approximately 70 clients to answer a wide variety of legal questions ranging from housing and consumer law questions to enforcement of child support orders.

Bill Lowrey, General Counsel of Shell Oil Company, said, "Shell Legal US is committed to having an active pro bono program to assist meeting the legal needs of underprivileged Houstonians in overcoming economic and, in many instances, language barriers to obtain basic legal services. The need for pro bono services in Houston is significant and we are proud of our commitment to the Houston Bar Association to be an Equal Access to Justice Champion in our local community."

The pro bono day of service coincided with the ongoing Shell and Motiva United Way charitable fund drive. The majority of individuals served were clients of several United Way funded agencies in the Houston community, including The Houston Area Women's Center, Sheltering Arms, and Denver Harbor. In providing the free services, Shell Legal planned and organized the event with the assistance of The Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and Lone Star Legal Aid (a United Way funded agency). Both of these entities provide free legal services throughout the year to the poor and working poor in the Houston community.