Wisconsin attorneys assist NC hurricane victims

When Madison Attorney Jacqueline Jugenheimer was scrolling through LinkedIn in October, she came across a post from the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division calling for attorneys across the country to volunteer in North Carolina in the wakes of hurricane and tropical storm Helene.

“I thought, ‘This sounds like a great opportunity to help people,’” Jugenheimer said in an interview with the Wisconsin Law Journal.

Also in October, when Hartland, Wisconsin, attorney Garet K. Galster saw a Journal article calling for attorneys to help out in North Carolina, he did not hesitate to volunteer.

According to Galster, he saw the article in the Journal’s daily email and then “responded to the call for attorneys. I was happy to help however I can,” Galster said.

When asked why he wanted to volunteer in North Carolina, Galster said, “I thought my expertise would come in handy. Hopefully, I can help people navigate the federal administrative process.”

“I think that as attorneys we have a duty to help where we can,” he said.

Asked why she wanted to volunteer in North Carolina, Jugenheimer said, “I’ve always felt like the community works better if you give back and make your skills available to those who are really in need, and I have something that can help them.”

In 2004, Jugenheimer recalled her Madison home being damaged by a tornado.

“I imagine what these North Carolinians are going through,” she said. “Just thinking how some of these people are affected. They lost everything. They have enough to deal with. They don’t need to deal with insurance companies, too. If I can help someone in that way, I find that to be very worthwhile.”

Assistance welcomed

North Carolina officials expressed their gratitude.

“The need being experienced by the people of western North Carolina due to Helene is profound, and we are deeply appreciative of the many attorneys from outside North Carolina who are answering the call to serve. Individuals, families, businesses and communities are facing long lasting challenges, and every volunteer engagement makes a difference, both today and tomorrow,” Jason M. Hensley, executive director of the North Carolina Bar Association, said in a written statement to the Journal.

Sylvia Novinsky, director of the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center, also praised the assistance.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the out-of-state lawyer volunteers who stepped up to assist in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. Your generosity and dedication ensured that those impacted received critical legal support during an incredibly challenging time. Your commitment to justice and service exemplifies the best of our profession, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership and compassion,” said Novinsky, also in a written statement to the Wisconsin Law Journal on Tuesday.

According to Novinsky, North Carolina had 604 out-of-state attorneys sign up by mid-December to provide pro bono legal services.

Novinsky noted Legal Aid of North Carolina had 75 lawyers volunteer, and the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division had an additional 89.

Day jobs

When Galster and Jugenheimer aren’t volunteering in North Carolina, they practice law in the Badger State.

Galster said he mainly focuses on intellectual property, including copyright, patents and trademarks. His firm has three attorneys.

As a solo practitioner Jugenheimer primarily focuses on wills, trusts and estates and also serves as a German-to-American English court interpreter.

To volunteer in North Carolina, Jugenheimer and Galster completed applications and paperwork that included a contract that admitted them to practice as a license attorney in North Carolina through the early part of this month, with the option to extend.

They then participated in a full day of virtual legal training sponsored by the North Carolina State Bar.

“It was a whirlwind. It felt like I was back in law school,” said Jugenheimer, noting that while “it was a lot of material,” she learned a lot.

“The training was an eye-opening experience,” Jugenheimer said

Jugenheimer said during the first session she learned more about the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“They will only come in and help as a last resort. I didn’t realize that,” she said.

Galster said he learned that hurricane and tropical storm victims are often disappointed when FEMA denies homeowners claims because the homes damaged were a second vacation home in the mountains.

“FEMA doesn’t assist with second residences,” he said.

Jugenheimer said she learned a great deal about the access to public benefits, as well.

“There’s not just SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), there’s also disaster SNAP that’s valid for a short period of time after a natural disaster occurs,” she said.

During the North Carolina legal training, Jugenheimer also learned more about the insurance claim process.

“Insurance adjusters talked about the process and what they look for while handling a claim. Then local (North Carolina) attorneys went through an accelerated lesson on … how you sue an insurance company, and this is what to do with fraudulent contractors.  I felt like I was back in law school,” she said.

Jugenheimer said there was also a full session on fair housing and tenants’ rights.

Additional pro bono work

Galster and Jugenheimer are no strangers to pro bono work.

Galster volunteers legal services for non-profits and youth sports organizations. He also is interested in federal court representation of pro se inmates.

Jugenheimer previously participated in a program called Wills for Heroes. According to the State Bar of Wisconsin, the program is modeled after the national program, where volunteer attorneys participate in clinics scheduled at the request of first responder organizations across the Badger State.