Volunteering at NHLC

You can learn more about the Hawaii Access to Justice Pro Bono Honorees and Celebration on the Commission’s website here: https://www.hawaiijustice.org/hawaii-access-to-justice-commission

If you ask Richard Norton what his specialty was as a lawyer, he’ll probably say “dirt.” Richard worked as an attorney in the 80s and 90s building an impressive legal practice handling land use matters in California. He and his wife Margaret now call Kailua home. Though retired, Richard and Margaret are dedicated to giving back to preserve and protect their new community and Hawai’i’s distinctive, special culture. Richard was pulled to the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, because at NHLC he saw a need and an opportunity to put his passion for justice and expertise with ‘āina law to good work.

As an NHLC volunteer, Richard is a valued legal consultant and mentor. For two years he’s served with our team weekly and can be relied upon to generously share expertise ranging from trial strategy to legal leadership to legal business management. Richard will take a flight before dawn and return after dark so he can visit a sacred site and spend time with a hui of traditional practitioners. He is growing knowledge of ‘ōlelo Hawai’i to better understand the people, law, and culture of his new home. And he’s frequently asking questions about local and Native Hawaiian history and culture to inform creative thinking about legal solutions that are practical, just, and pono. NHLC is grateful for Richard and the opportunity to recognize his exceptional pro bono service.

Jeffrey Foster was honored for his outstanding contributions to access to justice in our community. in addition to fulfilling the obligations of his successful law practice representing individuals and businesses in personal injury, real estate, and civil ligation (both in Hawaiʻi and Washington state), Jeff has also generously volunteered his time, knowledge, and skill to assist NHLC and its clients to expand our capacity in our work to address the legal needs of the Native Hawaiian community.

A resident of Kona, Hawai’i Island, Jeff is well known as a regular advocate for the disenfranchised and a champion of rights for those in need. He actively volunteers his time to community organizations, including those supporting and promoting Hawaiian language education in Kona. His demonstrated commitment to the Native Hawaiian community and his efforts to support and amplify their voices leaves no doubt that Jeff is a selfless ally and advocate who cares only about the well-being of those around him. Jeff truly embodies the attorney as a servant of the people.

David Kimo Frankel was recognized by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation for his pro bono work on some of NHLC’s most important cases. Frankel was a former staff attorney of NHLC from 2006 through 2016 and worked on Native Rights cases while employed there. He authored Protecting Paradise: A Citizen’s Guide to Land and Water Use Controls in Hawaii.