Way back when in July 2015 in Oakland, California—right before I left for this cross country pro bono adventure (and I wasn't sure how things were going to go at all!).
I am extending Attorney on the Move until the end of 2016 and am opening a Virtual Law Office (VLO)!
I couldn't be more excited—and a huge, epic thank you to each and every one of you who has read along during all of the heartbreaking and empowering moments—and all the things in between. I'm also excited that there are some new blog readers which have been added this week (hi there!), and I can't wait to include everyone in what's ahead next!
When I left Oakland earlier this summer, I didn't know what to expect. I remember giving away all my stuff, and standing in my empty Oakland apartment asking myself: What have I done?! But, those feelings were calmly balanced by a sense that I had to move forward and see what was out there—for all of us.
Over the last 5+ months, we've witnessed some of the most marginalized communities not receiving the extent of what should be offered under the protection of the law. As November came around, I seriously asked myself: Could I see myself realistically ending this project at the this year? And as the days more closely approached December, there was nothing else that I could see myself doing. This is what I need to be doing! And I wanted to figure out how to make this a longer-term option once the end of 2016 arrived—and it was clear that the Virtual Law Office (VLO) would be the ultimate goal of this project.
Another goal I have for the project this year is to get more supporter engagement around some of the legal/social issues that will be covered. I love getting emails in response to some of the issues the weekly blog posts raise—and think it would be GREAT to get even more discussion on the blog/website about these issues.
I really feel that the more discussions and conversations we have with each other and with our friends—THAT is how longer-term change happens. Sometimes those conversations are difficult and uncomfortable. But in addition to building effective systems for change—the individual actors within those systems must all be enabling it all—otherwise, it won't be sustainable for the long-term.
It'd be great if more of your friends would consider signing up for the weekly blog so that more people can become aware of these issues that are happening right in our very neighborhoods. The more the merrier!
Doing this work, sometimes I am in places where I don't know a soul (which will happen again shortly as I start next week as a pro bono lawyer at the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, AZ). And other times, I spend time in places where there are friends from another time in my life—or friends of friends that people are very thoughtful to connect me to. And one thing is for sure: with good friends, you can pick up where you left off. And with kindred spirits, you can interestingly almost feel the same way.
Again, it means a lot to me to keep these friendships and conversations going—it is not only the secret to a deeply fulfilled life, but the cornerstone for building true change as we move forward.
THANK YOU for supporting this project this year and helping to ensure that it is able to continue until the end of 2016 and beyond. I am so excited about developing the Virtual Law Office to be able to help many more folks obtain access to get legal help. Let's do this thing together! Sending you all the good vibes in the world from Salt Lake City wherever you are in the US—and the world!
If you haven't had the chance to check out the crowdfunder yet, please go to: https://www.crowdrise.com/attorneyonthemove See you on the road soon!