By: Kristopher A. Carter, VLP Paralegal, B.A. in History/Business, University of Arizona
Every month, Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.’s (“SALA”) Volunteer Lawyers Program (“VLP”) recognizes a legal professional for their legal volunteerism. The award is a distinct honor. Out of the more than 400 attorneys and paralegals on panel who are willing to volunteer their time, twelve are recognized annually for their dedication to access to justice.
Attorney Keith Singer is the July 2022 VLP/SALA Outstanding Volunteer of the Month Award recipient. Mr. Singer also earned this distinguished honor in 2017, further evidencing his continuous commitment to justice.
Born and raised in the Old Pueblo, Mr. Singer holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Arizona and a Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law. Mr. Singer is licensed to practice law in Arizona and the United States District Courts. He spent six years as an associate attorney at two of Southern Arizona’s top family law firms and is grateful to have had iconic mentors such as the Honorable Dean Christoffel and Attorney John Bolt. Mr. Singer opened his own firm in 2003.
Today, Mr. Singer has nearly 25 years of extensive experience in all aspects of family law and juvenile law cases in the Pima County Superior Courts. Mr. Singer served for many years as a court-appointed parent advocate in the Pima County Juvenile Court and as a child advocate and child’s best interest attorney/guardian ad litem in the Pima County Adult and Juvenile Courts. He is also an experienced mediator and an adjunct instructor for many years at Pima Community College’s paralegal program in the areas of family law, evidence, and legal ethics.
Attorney Singer found his passion for family law even before law school through his work as a camp counselor and sailing specialist at children’s summer camps. Working with children and families to enrich their lives has been a focus for Mr. Singer throughout his life and career. This has informed his practice of law which is focused on guiding people to wholistic resolutions whenever possible rather than engaging in lengthy, costly court battles that can both emotionally and economically harm families. Mr. Singer has participated in collaborative divorce training as another way to provide his clients with the tools that are necessary to provide cost effective and family-centered representation. He has also presented and coordinated continuing legal education seminars in the areas of family law, juvenile law, and child advocacy.
Attorney Singer has offered this invaluable wealth of experience, compassion, and dedication to clients through the Volunteer Lawyers Program. Mr. Singer’s work has included advising clients in numerous clinics, and more recently, serving on VLP’s Advisory Board. This is a critical role in assisting VLP serve clients and guiding the mission of the program. Whether Mr. Singer is advising clients or the program, his insight has been invaluable. In this new role, Mr. Singer helps VLP navigate the complexities of providing free civil legal aid to low income individuals who are underserved in the traditional legal market.
In 2017, Mr. Singer explained what volunteerism meant to him as a legal professional: “The number of self-represented litigants is ever increasing. We are all of us doctors without borders, except our borders are the walls of our law firms and courtrooms. We need not cross oceans to do our part. There is an incredible opportunity to help our local community by supporting organizations like SALA and Step Up to Justice. The financial rewards of successful law practice are insufficient to sustain the soul of a true legal professional. It is only through giving back that we reach our true potential.” These words ring even more true today.
Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.’s Volunteer Lawyers Program is deeply grateful for Attorney Keith Singer’s continued volunteerism and dedication to his community and clients.
