Pro bono donor spotlight: The Kellys

Tom and Denise Kelly first realized the importance of civil legal assistance when Tom joined the Olmsted County Attorney’s Civil Division in the mid-1990s. Working in the Child Support Unit, Tom often met pro se parties who urgently needed guidance on navigating the legal system.

The county attorney’s office has long supported Legal Assistance of Olmsted County (LAOC). For years, it auctioned a team of attorneys, including Tom Kelly, to offer a half-day of yard work at LAOC’s annual fundraiser. Through the years, the Kellys have supported LAOC through fundraisers as well as direct gifts.

After retiring in 2022, Tom was invited by LAOC Executive Director Karen Fairbairn Nath to join the board of directors, where he currently serves as chair. He also helped establish a monthly child support clinic for LAOC. Tapping into Denise’s financial law expertise, Karen asked her to staff a semi-monthly financial law clinic. With 35 years as a trust officer and trust department manager at U.S. Bank, Denise found this a new challenge, but after she shadowed a volunteer attorney and relied on Tom for guidance on civil procedures, she now volunteers at the clinic.

“These [civil legal aid] programs are crucial,” Tom says. “They provide people with advice that they otherwise would simply not be able to afford. At the same time, organizations like LAOC are continually burdened by a very limited budget and uncertain funding sources. Funding is the lifeblood of these organizations, and private donors and volunteers will have to pick up the slack if there are issues with government funding.”

Denise and Tom continue to support LAOC financially. “We’ve been fortunate to save for a comfortable retirement and are able to keep supporting the organizations that represent our values,” says Denise.

When Denise reached age 68, she surrendered her active bar license and was granted emeritus status. Tom plans to go the same route in the next year or so. Both offer an unqualified recommendation of emeritus status. “There is no downside to it,” Denise says, explaining that she would probably not be volunteering for LAOC if not for its availability. Tom describes emeritus status as “a valuable way for [retired] attorneys to still contribute their knowledge and experience.” The Kellys encourage attorneys approaching retirement to consider how they can continue to serve their communities.