Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Judges from Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District have awarded William Kain of the St. Cloud-based law firm Kain & Scott, P.A., the 2015 Seventh Judicial District Pro Bono Award. The award was presented to Kain during the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Annual Convention in St. Cloud on June 17.

Every year, the Seventh Judicial District Pro Bono Award is given to a legal professional in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District who has worked to develop or deliver no-cost legal services to the poor through a pro bono program.

Kain has been a volunteer with Central Minnesota Legal Services for 32 years. In that time, he has assisted numerous clients with mediations, bankruptcies, and credit issues. Since January 2013, he has accepted 18 clients for pro bono assistance with Chapter 7 bankruptcies. He successfully discharged the debt for 15 clients, while the other three cases are still pending. During this time, Kain has also completed four pro bono mediations and volunteered to accept one mediation per month for Central Minnesota Legal Services.

Kain is also a dedicated volunteer at the monthly St. Cloud Credit Clinic, where he meets with clients to discuss their credit concerns and often provides further assistance by writing letters to creditors or filing for bankruptcy. Over the past two years, Kain has volunteered at the clinic every quarter, providing advice and assistance with legal briefs to low-income clients.

“Throughout his entire career, Bill Kain has demonstrated the highest level of commitment and service to our community through his volunteer and pro bono work,” said Seventh Judicial District Chief Judge John H. Scherer. “We are grateful for his important work serving those in need, and are proud to recognize his contributions to the legal profession with this award.”