In 1960, the world was mourning the assassination of President Kennedy, the Beatles were all the rage for the kids, Elvis and Priscilla tied the knot and a young man named Llewellyn 'Lew' Linde was sworn in to practice as an attorney in the State of Minnesota. Mr. Linde's start in the practice of law may not seem significant in light of what was happening in the world during the 60's. However, ask any of the many people who have been helped by Mr. Linde's contributions to legal justice during his career and you'll find that his thousands of little deeds add up to something so significant, it trumps any historical happening.

In 2003 the Minnesota State Bar Association through its Legal Assistance to the Disadvantaged Committee (LAD) came up with the Judicial District Pro Bono Awards program to honor and recognize attorneys who demonstrate exemplary dedication to the development and delivery of free legal services for indigent people. Each judicial district is charged with nomination and later selection of the honorees. The 2006 award recipient for the First Judicial District was retired attorney Llewellyn Linde. Mr. Linde was nominated by The Honorable Judge Richard G. Spicer.

The Honorable Joseph T. Carter (First Judicial District Court), Llewellyn Linde (Award Recipient), The Honorable Richard G. Spicer (First Judicial District Court), The Honorable Paul H. Anderson (Minnesota Supreme Court) at the award ceremony for Linde.

Mr. Linde's dedication to helping the disadvantaged began soon after his swearing in ceremony. During his years as a practicing attorney, Mr. Linde was an active volunteer in family law cases at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), was an incorporating member of Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd. and was a board member for Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd. In addition to his many years of volunteer service, Mr. Linde and his wife endowed a fund with the Loan Repayment Assistance Program of Minnesota to assist new law graduates in servicing their student loans while working in legal aid programs.

Even more compelling about Mr. Linde's dedication to service is his choice to continue to volunteer his services even after his retirement. After retiring from private practice and on his own initiative, Mr. Linde volunteered with Lewis House and provided advice and counsel to women and children who were the victims of domestic abuse. For the past six years, Mr. Linde, along with his dedicated legal assistant Kate Kelley, has been assisting 15-20 low-income or disadvantaged individuals each year in dissolution cases.

What is even more incredible about Mr. Linde's volunteer efforts after retirement is that he continues to maintain his active license, which includes paying his annual fees and obtaining the required CLE credits for the sole purpose of volunteering his time! He often pays out-of-pocket the costs of representing indigent people.

Mr. Linde was honored by the First Judicial District at an award ceremony where he was presented with an award that included the following, very appropriate quote by Margaret Mead:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Every day, Llewellyn Linde proves this quotation to be true by his contributions and efforts on behalf of the disadvantaged during his retirement and is an example of what all attorneys should aspire to be. His work certainly makes 1960 a far more historic year.