Karen Duke is Associate General Counsel at A. O. Smith Corporation. Karen has served on the WEJF Board of Directors since 2005 and was President of the Board in 2010. She volunteers for every committee and is often relied upon for crucial historical organizational knowledge.
Here’s what Karen says about why she supports WEJF and civil legal aid in Wisconsin:
I have been honored to contribute to the vital work of WEJF and the legal aid organizations it supports.
Joining WEJF was an easy decision. I became a lawyer because I believe in equal justice and the vital role that lawyers play to protect the rights of those most vulnerable in our society. WEJF legal aid organizations shoulder this responsibility every day, covering the waterfront of civil legal services – from housing, family law, discrimination, housing, medical coverage, public assistance, disability, senior, and even tribal law. While the legal issues they address are diverse, these agencies share a single commitment: to lend a voice to those in our community who cannot afford to have legal problems, yet do, often because of their poverty. In short, they do the heavy lifting of the commitment that we all share as lawyers.
As a WEJF Board member for the past 17 years, I am a small part of a large ‘supporting cast’ to carry out this important mission. While my role pales in comparison to the important work of the lawyers at Legal Action of Wisconsin, Disability Rights Wisconsin, and Judicare Legal Aid, I am proud of their accomplishments and my role to support them. Every day, WEJF and its member organizations make a difference.
Thank you, Karen, for your boundless dedication to the success of WEJF and civil legal aid in Wisconsin!