Chelsie Elliott

from 2023 June Hearsay

June Hearsay Contributors

This amazing co-owner of Navigate Law Group has been a regular monthly volunteer with us for almost 6 years and contributed a total of (drum roll). . .219 hours!

Why do you volunteer with the CCVLP?

What might be a simple question or issue for a family law attorney is sometimes an insurmountable obstacle to a lay person, and by volunteering a little bit of my time each month, I can help bridge that gap. I can't even begin to count the number of times someone has called into the office desperately needing assistance but not having the funds to hire an attorney, and it is so wonderful to have the CCVLP as the clear choice to refer them to. I had a great relationship with the Spokane County VLP, so it was a natural transition to build a relationship with the CCVLP when I moved to Vancouver. I simply adore everyone at the CCVLP, and they do such amazing work on a daily basis. I went into law hoping to help as many people as I could through one of the toughest points in their lives, and what better way to give back and work towards fulfilling that goal than by volunteering at the CCVLP?

Some words from staff about Chelsie:

We regularly receive compliments from clients about their experience with Chelsie. Can we blame them? She radiates kindness and warmth, she makes you feel comfortable, she's patient, she's knowledgeable (we could go on, but you get the idea). Chelsie is truly a dear friend of the CCVLP and we love her so much. Thank you for all of the time and support you ' ve given us; our program is truly better off because of you.

Honestly? We could easily make the case for Chelsie as VOTM every month.

Chelsie has been a consistent monthly volunteer who we know to be empathetic, responsive, and experienced with all facets of family law. She frequently goes above and beyond what is asked of her, whether that means offering to help draft proposed orders when a pro se client is struggling to do so on their own, researching case law and being prepared to advise on those outside of the norm cases, or rallying others at Navigate to cover a clinic for us last minute (shout out to Chelsey Butchard and Conor Buie for stepping up -- we love you guys!). Regardless of the situation, we can always count on Chelsie to be there with a smile, and that means so much to all of us and those we serve!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered last month!

April 2023 Attorney Volunteers:

Anne Ajayi, Rachel Brooks, Conor Buie, Chelsey Butchard, Gideon

Caron, Ed Dawson, Scott Edwards, Chelsie Elliott, Philip Foster, Laurie Garber, Lindsey George, Moloy Good, Marlene Hansen, Lincoln Harvey, Courtney Himes, Jennifer Joslin, Jeff Keddie, Beatrice

Lucas, Jeffrey Peterson, Mercedes Riggs, Tonya Rulli, Amber

Rushbanks, Shada Salameh, Michael Trotter, Marisa Nelson, Michelle

Prosser, and thank you to support staff at Stahancyk, Kent & Hook.

We always welcome new volunteers. Contact our Volunteer Manager if you ' re interested in volunteering (attorneys and non-attorneys): mia@ccvlp.org

1 A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2021; The White House Briefing Room; June 18, 2021; https://www.whitehouse.gov/ briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/18/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2021/.

2 Juneteenth: Fact Sheet; Congressional Research Service; Updated June 21, 2021; https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R44865.pdf (emphasis added).