COLUMN > PRO BONO ORGANIZATION OF THE MONTH
Q&A with Sandra Miller and Stacy Hicks
Q. Tell us a bit about the history of your organization or clinic. What is your organization’s philosophy? Why do you do what you do?
Sound Legal Aid was founded over three decades ago with the belief that access to justice should not depend on a person’s income. We began as a grassroots effort of local attorneys volunteering their time to help community members who couldn’t afford legal representation. Over the years, we’ve grown into a more structured nonprofit providing legal education, advice, and limited representation across five counties in Southwest Washington: Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, and Grays Harbor. Our philosophy is grounded in dignity, compassion, and community. Knowing that our clients are often in crisis and vulnerable, we work in a manner that is sensitive to each individual’s situation and legal needs. We recognize that even small legal victories can have a powerful impact on someone’s stability and well-being. We do this work because we believe everyone deserves to be heard, protected, and empowered—regardless of their income or background. Access to legal help can be life-changing, and we’re here to make sure that help is available to those who need it most.
Q. Where is your organization or clinic located? Do volunteers participate remotely, in person, or both?
While we are headquartered in Olympia, our services and volunteer opportunities extend throughout the region. We offer a mix of in-person legal clinics, remote advice appointments, and virtual forms clinics. Our philosophy is to do our best to meet both the client and the volunteer where they are. Rather than asking volunteers to conform to our schedule, we listen to their preferences—whether that’s in-person, remote, or offering mentorship—and work to accommodate how they’d like to engage. This flexibility has helped us build a community of committed, long-term volunteers who feel respected and supported in how they give their time.
Q. Who does your organization or clinic serve?
Sound Legal Aid serves individuals and families living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. We focus on reaching people who are most marginalized in our legal system: survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities, rural residents, and others who face systemic barriers to justice. Many of our clients are navigating legal issues that threaten their housing, safety, or family stability. We recognize that these challenges don’t exist in a vacuum—they often intersect with poverty, trauma, and discrimination. Our goal is to provide accessible, respectful, and trauma-informed legal services that center the dignity and humanity of every person who comes to us for help.
Q. What area(s) of law do you provide services in?
Sound Legal Aid provides civil legal services in the areas of family law, eviction defense, tenant services, domestic violence survivor services, and wills and estates. We focus on legal issues where brief services, advice, or limited representation can have a meaningful impact on our clients’ safety and stability.
Q. Does your organization provide training, CLE credit, or other benefits to volunteers?
Volunteers with Sound Legal Aid also benefit from mentorship opportunities, flexible engagement options (including remote and in-person participation), and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families in our community. While we have focused on other priorities in recent years, we continue to value the professional development of our volunteers and are working with the Thurston County Bar Association to offer additional training opportunities in the future.
Q. Please provide one or two (anonymous) client stories—examples of people who were helped and how.
“Maria”—Protection and Stability for a Survivor
Maria came to Sound Legal Aid seeking help after fleeing an abusive relationship. She was scared, without income, and trying to keep her children safe. A volunteer attorney helped her obtain a protection order and later assisted her in filing for a parenting plan that ensured the children’s safety. Through remote appointments and trauma-informed support, Maria was able to regain stability, access local resources, and begin building a safer future for her family.
“James”—Preventing Homelessness Through Eviction Defense
James, a disabled tenant in a rural county, was facing eviction after falling behind on rent during a medical crisis. He had no internet and limited phone access, making it difficult to navigate the legal process. One of our attorneys quickly stepped in, negotiated with the landlord, and helped secure rental assistance to stop the eviction. Because of that support, James was able to stay housed and avoid the devastating consequences of homelessness.
Q. What does a typical weekly or monthly commitment look like for a volunteer? How many hours? How many clients?
There’s no one-size-fits-all commitment at Sound Legal Aid. We work with each volunteer to find a schedule and case load that fits their availability, interests, and capacity. Some attorneys take on a single advice appointment each month, while others participate weekly in clinics or ongoing mentorship.
On average, a volunteer may spend four to eight hours per month, often assisting three to five clients during that time. But again, the model is flexible—our goal is to make it easy for volunteers to engage in meaningful ways without having to commit to a rigid schedule.
Q. What do volunteers say they enjoy most about serving clients through your organization or clinic?
Volunteers often say they value the ability to make a direct impact and the supportive, flexible environment we offer. Many attorneys especially appreciate our mentorship model, which allows them to serve clients outside their usual area of practice with guidance from experienced mentor attorneys. This not only expands their skills but gives them confidence while making a meaningful difference. Volunteers frequently tell us that their work with Sound Legal Aid reconnects them with the reasons they chose a career in law.
Q. Are you currently in need of volunteers? If so, how can legal professionals reach out to get involved?
Yes, Sound Legal Aid is actively seeking volunteers to help us serve our community. We offer a variety of opportunities for both attorneys and non-attorneys, with flexible options to accommodate different schedules and preferences. Legal professionals can participate in legal clinics, provide direct representation, or offer mentorship to fellow volunteers. Non-attorney volunteers assist with client intake and administrative support.
Q. What gaps in our existing system(s) does your organization fill?
Sound Legal Aid helps fill critical access-to-justice gaps by reaching people who might otherwise go without legal support—particularly in rural communities and for those navigating urgent civil legal issues. By combining state-funded legal aid contracts with a strong volunteer-based advice program, we’re able to offer both structured and flexible services that respond to the needs of our region. We focus on brief services, limited representation, and legal advice that can make a meaningful difference in a client’s immediate stability and safety. Our community-based model allows us to reach individuals who may not connect with traditional legal aid due to geography, capacity, or timing—and ensures that people receive help in a way that is responsive, respectful, and centered around their unique circumstances.
Q. What would you most want readers to know about the type of work your organization does and the type of people who need your services?
We want readers to know that the people who come to Sound Legal Aid aren’t just looking for legal answers—they’re often seeking stability, safety, and a sense that someone is in their corner. Many of our clients are navigating complex, high-stakes situations: escaping violence, facing eviction, trying to keep their families together, or planning for the future with very few resources.
The legal work we do may seem brief on the surface—one appointment, one clinic—but it’s grounded in deep respect for each person’s dignity. We provide trauma-informed, compassionate legal support that’s responsive to the real-life challenges people face when they can’t afford an attorney and have nowhere else to turn.
LEARN MORE > To get involved, please visit Sound Legal Aid’s volunteer page where you can find more information and complete an application: https://soundlegalaid.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
About the authorS
Sandra Miller is the executive director of Sound Legal Aid and leads with a deep commitment to justice, equity, and client-centered service, overseeing strategic direction, operations, and community partnerships across five counties. Miller can be reached at:
Stacy Hicks is the director of legal services for Sound Legal Aid and manages legal program delivery and volunteer engagement, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed legal services that meet the diverse needs of clients across Sound Legal Aid’s service region. Hicks can be reached at: