COLUMN > PRO BONO ORGANIZATION OF THE MONTH
Q&A with CEO/Executive Director Lori Sarancik
Q. Tell us a bit about the history of your organization. What is your organization’s philosophy? Why do you do what you do?
Timberland Legal Aid was founded in 1999, with initial grants from the Legal Foundation of Washington, by a group of local attorneys who wanted to give back to the community. At our agency, we are dedicated to empowering low-income individuals facing various civil legal challenges. We believe that everyone should have access to the guidance and support they need to navigate complex legal processes effectively. Our philosophy revolves around providing high-quality, accurate information to enable clients to make informed decisions and self-advocate whenever possible. We envision a world where everyone has access to the unique skills of a licensed attorney, even if they cannot afford to hire one.
Q. Where is your organization located? Do volunteers participate remotely, in person, or both?
Our headquarters are located in Longview, serving clients across Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Lewis, and Pacific counties. To ensure accessibility for all, we offer legal clinics in various locations, including our Longview office, courthouses in each county, and community gathering spaces. Our dedicated team of staff, contract attorneys, and volunteer attorneys connect with clients either in person, via phone, or via Zoom, prioritizing convenience
and flexibility for those we serve.
Q. Who does your organization serve?
Our clinic is dedicated to serving individuals and families with incomes below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) who are facing civil legal barriers. Recognizing the diverse linguistic needs of our clients, we employ a bilingual staff member and a contract attorney who are fluent in English and Spanish, along with telephonic interpretation for various other languages. While our focus lies in civil legal matters, we also assist with crossover issues such as vacating criminal records and managing legal fines.
To address the unique needs of our community, we offer specialized legal clinics for specific demographics and circumstances, including immigrants, Spanish-speaking families, Tribal members, those with health care-related legal concerns, military veterans/service members, and families with children attending local Head Start programs.
Q. What are the biggest barriers your clients face in accessing legal assistance?
The most significant challenge our clients encounter when seeking legal assistance is the financial burden of hiring an attorney. However, this is just one of the many barriers they face. Limited English proficiency, racial bias, and the enduring effects of trauma, high-conflict domestic relations, and disabilities can all impede their ability to navigate the legal system effectively.
Our clients often grapple with a range of physical, behavioral, mental health challenges, and generational poverty, which can further complicate their pursuit of legal remedies. In many cases, they rely on caregivers for daily support, highlighting the critical need for accessible and compassionate legal services that accommodate these unique circumstances.
Q. What area(s) of law do you provide services in?
Our agency offers assistance in various areas of civil law, encompassing family law, domestic violence proceedings, agreed child guardianships, and landlord-tenant disputes. We also provide support for other housing and property-related matters, wills and estates, probate, and clearing up criminal records and legal fines. Additionally, we assist clients with immigration-related concerns and help them understand their rights and obligations in a range of civil issues, including contracts, benefits, district court matters, powers of attorney, and more.
Q. Does your organization provide training, CLE credit, or other benefits to volunteers?
We actively collaborate with the local bar association to sponsor and provide free Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) classes for attorneys. In 2025 alone, our partnerships have facilitated three MCLE classes, with a consistent track record of hosting similar events annually. In addition to these offerings, we provide materials and resources for lawyers seeking further professional development.
Q. Please provide one or two (anonymous) client stories—examples of people who were helped and how.
Client Story #1:
A Tribal member sought our assistance in regaining custody of her children after successfully completing court-recommended treatment plans from a previous out-of-state ruling. The complex nature of her case required navigating both the original out-of-state order and initiating a new process in Washington. Over multiple consultations, our team has worked closely with the client, diligently gathering the necessary documentation to build a strong case. We continue to provide ongoing support and guidance as she progresses through the Washington legal system, moving closer to reuniting her family.
Client Story #2:
We are aiding a family of six, including two parents and four children, in their immigration process. Our bilingual staff has provided invaluable assistance during multiple appointments, helping to complete extensive documentation and providing Spanish-English translation. The family has also met with one of our immigration attorneys several times for thorough document review and additional information gathering. This collaborative effort has yielded significant results, securing the family an additional six months in the U.S. while their case progresses. This extension allows them to maintain their jobs, provide for their children, and continue their lives in the U.S.
Q. What does a typical weekly or monthly commitment look like for a volunteer? How many hours? How many clients?
In our rural community, we deeply appreciate any amount of time a lawyer can dedicate to supporting our marginalized clients. We understand that legal services are scarce and in high demand, so we work closely with attorneys to tailor volunteer opportunities that suit their schedules, locations, and preferred areas of law.
One valuable approach involves attorneys providing full representation for a single case, ensuring continuous support throughout the entire legal process. Alternatively, lawyers can contribute by offering monthly two-hour legal clinics, where they can assist three to four clients with brief yet informative consultations. If lawyers want to work with a particular community, like veterans, domestic violence survivors, or families most comfortable speaking Spanish, we create one-day outreach clinics throughout the year.
Q. What do volunteers say they enjoy most about serving clients through your organization?
Our volunteer lawyers value the flexibility and variety of opportunities available to them. Some attorneys prefer dedicating their time and expertise to a single case, allowing them to delve deeply into the compelling details, draft essential documents, and achieve positive, life-changing outcomes in the courtroom on behalf of their clients.
Additionally, many lawyers appreciate the issue-spotting aspect of our drop-in legal clinics. This setting allows them to exercise skills honed in law school and during their early careers. While they may not engage in the same depth of legal work as with a single case, they can effectively identify pressing issues, determine potential methods of relief, and guide clients in making informed decisions.
Q. What gaps in our existing system(s) does your organization fill?
Our organization addresses the unmet legal needs of our community by offering flexible opportunities for individuals to consult with an attorney, determine the validity of their legal concerns, and learn how to pursue their cases effectively. Our short advice and counsel appointments not only provide essential guidance but also help clients understand their options and potential outcomes.
In addition, our Pro Se Assistance Program empowers clients to navigate the legal system independently while still receiving valuable oversight and guidance from attorneys. Clients can return to the clinic several times as their cases progress. This innovative approach ensures that clients can confidently manage their cases, file documents, and attend court proceedings, knowing they have ongoing support throughout the process.
While other legal aid providers exist, our strong connection to the local community enables us to reach and inform individuals about our services directly. We are committed to collaborating with other providers when necessary, referring clients to them when we lack the capacity to meet their needs.
LEARN MORE > To get involved or learn more about volunteering, please contact us via phone at 360-787-9242 or email at loris@TimberlandLA.org. We also encourage you to introduce yourself at one of our events or existing legal clinics to explore how your expertise can make an impact in the lives of those in need. timberlandlegalaid.org.
About the author
Lori Sarancik came to her career in legal aid later in life after a long and successful career at a large retail corporation in many store and corporate leadership positions. She joined as program coordinator while attending law school and has deeply enjoyed applying her skills in customer and client care to helping clients of Timberland Legal Aid navigate the complex processes they face. She has been with the agency for 14 years.