Jon Seitz was named as a 2024 Volunteer of the Year at the Justice Gala on September 6, 2024. Jon is a partner at Hawley Troxell and has volunteer for CWLA since 2014 and increased his donated pro bono hours in 2020, including lending his expertise to trainings for landlord/tenant volunteer attorneys through our Housing Justice Project.
In November 2023, CWLA received a phone call from Representative Corry because a constituent had reached out for legal assistance. The City of Yakima was declaring his property a nuisance and had filed a court case against him. He owned his home, but only received about $300 in social security every month. He had been slowly taking loads to the dump when he could afford the fees. Jon agreed to take the case knowing that he had to appear at a hearing on the case that afternoon and has been representing him since November. The property has been cleaned up and vehicles are now working and in proper order. We are so grateful for Jon's work in making sure this client had access to justice and an opportunity to be heard and to address the allegations.
When we asked Jon to tell us more about himself and his motivation to make an impact at CWLA, he said:
1. What motivated you to become an attorney? I’ve always enjoyed helping and assisting others. I was also quite motivated by the fact that I was living in my parents basement after having obtained my masters degree with few job prospects.
2. What is the most challenging part of your profession? Time and stress management.
3. What is the most rewarding part of your career? Helping people reach a solution to their legal problems, building longstanding connections with clients, and the professional camaraderie among our local bar members.
4. What does professional responsibility mean to you? It means more than what the Rules of Professional Conduct capture. Professional responsibility means dedication to the practice, ongoing learning, developing and maintaining credibility as a professional, and earning and keeping the trust of the clients we represent.
5. What inspires you to volunteer? I think we all have a call within us to help out and lend our time and talents. I find inspiration to answer that call because I know that it feels good volunteer and step outside of my own responsibilities to help out.
6. In what ways has volunteering for CWLA benefited you? It’s provided the opportunity to share my time and talents as a legal professional to assist people in need of legal services.
7. What is your most memorable case/client while volunteering? I’m still working it! But the case is nearing conclusion, and it should end with a good result for both parties.
8. What do you appreciate about your community? I appreciate the generosity of the larger Yakima community, and I think that is highlighted with the pro bono work that our colleagues in the legal community perform.
9. What advice can you give young attorneys who are interested in volunteering for CWLA? Dive in – the water’s fine! Seriously, though, you can help and you will make a difference. You do not have to take on a high-stakes, complex, class-action lawsuit. It will be an opportunity to learn something new, it will boost your confidence, and you will feel an intrinsic satisfaction that comes from doing something good.
10. Side question: How do you like to spend your day off? I’m not sure I know what a day off is. When I occasionally have one, I enjoy spending it with my lovely wife, especially camping and hiking in remote parts of our favorite wilderness area.
