Scott Snyder was named as a 2025 volunteer of the year for Central WA Legal Aid. Scott has accepted client's pro bono over the years and makes himself available to participate in will/estate clinics. To ensure clients receive proper counsel Scott always requests 1 ½ hour appointment, in which he provides counsel advice, and fills out the necessary forms for a will.
When we asked Scott tell us more about himself and his motivation to make an impact at CWLA, he said:
1. What motivated you to become an attorney and practice Estate Law? Helping people plan and implement how they want to pass on their estates. It’s such a personal decision, and I relish being their trusted advisor behind the scenes.
2. What is the most challenging part of your profession? Meeting the expectations of a demanding client. But clients who set the bar high for you ultimately help you become a better lawyer.
3. What is the most rewarding part of your career? Getting a positive result for a client, especially when they take the time to tell you that they were pleased with how things went, send you a card, etc.
4. What does professional responsibility mean to you? Be competent, communicate well, and keep your mouth shut about what you’re on.
5. What inspires you to volunteer? The people you help. Once you’ve done it, you want to do it again because you experience the appreciation they have for the help you provide that they couldn’t get otherwise.
6. In what ways has volunteering for CWLA benefited you? It’s been a rewarding experience that money can’t buy. Working with the staff at CWLA has been great...getting to know them and knowing they have confidence in me.
7. What is your most memorable case/client while volunteering? Her name is Catherine. (We don’t need to use the name.) She was the first or second client I helped. She needed a will because she had cancer and didn’t have long to live. After signing her documents, I never saw her again and she’s no longer with us. But she sent me a beautiful thank-you card that really touched me.
8. What do you appreciate about your community? I appreciate the size and diversity of our community. On the latter point, diversity, I do think we’ve got some work to do, to come together and make the community stronger.
9. What advice can you give to young attorneys who are interested in volunteering for CWLA? Don’t wait too long like I did to volunteer. I wish I would have done this a long time ago, especially in my early years. And, when you do it, be straight up with the clients about their case. I have found they really appreciate that.
10 Side question: How do you like to spend your day off? Spend time with my kids and get some exercise to keep myself fit and healthy.
