KCMBF’s Military Matters is proud to shine the March Pro Bono Spotlight on Crissy Del Percio!
We spoke with Crissy about what drives her work of counsel and how she would encourage others to get involved in pro or low bono volunteerism.
When did you get involved with Military Matters?
"I signed up for Military Matters as soon as I moved out of my last public service job. I knew that I still wanted to assist clients that could not afford representation, and pro bono work is especially important for veterans. There is already a limited number of resources for those who served, so I am more than happy to help in any way I can. I have seen the lack of available services for veterans, as my brother served for 8 years. I watch how difficult systems are for him (and others with whom he served)."
Who or what catalyzed your desire to work in the legal field?
"I went to undergrad with the intention of being a news reporter. It became apparent to me, very quickly, that I wouldn't be able to make the change in the world I wanted to make without being able to actually be involved in the systems that needed to change. So, much to the dismiss of my journalism professors, I went to law school. I realize that as only one person, I likely won't make everything better for everyone, but I can help change one person's life at a time."
Can you depict a rewarding experience you’ve had while providing counsel to a client?
"My favorite story is not one from Military Matters (yet), but I did do a stepparent adoption many years ago. The family spoke Spanish, and my Spanish was very limited. The oldest of the five siblings (who was only about 9-10) would translate for me. Months into this case, she told me that she thought I could handle my own when it came to speaking Spanish (spoiler - I could not). So I am sitting at the juvenile court, in a chair that was meant for a child (because that is where the girls ask me to sit) and the next oldest is asking me to draw what I thought was the Spanish word for a ball. I drew every ball I could think of - beach ball, soccer ball, football. Each time I would hand the little girl a picture, she would shove it back at me and say the same word, but louder. So, I would draw another ball. After about the 6th ball, the oldest girl said, "She wants you to draw her a clown," with such an air of disdain. I had never heard the Spanish word for clown in my life, but I do remember laughing in a tiny chair with a 6-year-old screaming at me in Spanish. Those girls were adopted by their stepfather, and I kept in touch until they moved away."
"Another amazing story involved a very sweet grandmother, who I was helping get divorced from her abusive husband. The day we were all finished, she looked at me (still in front of the judge, because she couldn't hear all that well, so we were at the bench) and says "Darlin, am I done with him????" And I told her she was. I don't know what emotion overcame her, but she kissed me directly on the mouth. I am not sure who was more shocked - me or the judge."
What provides you with fortitude when managing a dense caseload?
"I recently learned that only 24% of legal needs are being met. When I think about the fact that 75% of people who need help can't get it - it really empowers me to do even that one extra little case."
How would you encourage a peer to volunteer their time and services to a pro or low bono legal aid service?
I would tell who wants to volunteer to find a cause that speaks to your heart. There are plenty of organizations that would love to have any kind of pro bono or low bono help for clients (veterans, victims of domestic violence, students). So, find what brings you that sense of fulfillment and help them. And just know that even though you can't help everyone (none of us can), you can help some. It's like the saying about the starfish - When starfish are washed ashore after a storm, you won't be able to throw them all back in the ocean. But for the ones that you do, you have changed their lives.