Kenneth D. Fuller
Partner, Koons, Fuller, Vanden Eykel & Robertson, P.C.
Dallas

Quote: I always say that pro bono is the ideal law practice because you never have to worry about money or fees. … The greatest reward is seeing the appreciation. For many people, the cases have been hanging over their head for years. It’s like being let out of jail. They are very thankful. 
– Kenneth D. Fuller

Career: Kenneth D. Fuller, a partner in Koons, Fuller, Vanden Eykel & Robertson, P.C., is one of Texas’ most honored family lawyers and one of its most dedicated pro bono volunteers. He donates approximately 800 hours annually to the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. In recognition of his outstanding pro bono work, he received the 2004 Frank L. Scurlock Award from the State Bar of Texas. In 2005, the Family Law Section presented Fuller with its new award for outstanding pro bono contributions which was named after the longtime Dallas attorney.

What pro bono work are you involved in?
Over the last 40 years, I have done pro bono work on my own. After I semi-retired, I decided that I wanted to participate a little more fully. I talked to Chris Reed-Brown with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. One of their staff attorneys had just left, so I began by volunteering in that position for four to six months. I have committed to volunteering eight hours a day on Mondays and Tuesdays. I usually end up doing a little more. I mentor the attorneys who take family law cases, go to court, help out at the clinics, and fill in for DVAP staff. I take cases that other lawyers started, but could not finish.

What do you enjoy most about mentoring the volunteer lawyers?
I like seeing that it’s done right. Some of the volunteers have never been in court and have little family law experience. I enjoy going to court with them and giving advice when they need it. They are elated when they win a case. These are super lawyers who take these cases. The legal complexities of the cases is amazing — every day is like taking the bar exam.

What motivates you to continue your pro bono work?
I like to help people, and I enjoy the work. I always say that pro bono is the ideal law practice because you never have to worry about money or fees.

What are your most memorable pro bono experiences?
There truly are too many to name.

What are the greatest rewards and challenges of doing pro bono work?
The greatest reward is seeing the appreciation. For many people, the cases have been hanging over their head for years. It’s like being let out of jail. They are very thankful. The greatest challenge is the sheer number of people who need help — it’s overwhelming. Every month, we do 100 to 150 divorces (many involve children) at the assisted divorce clinic and we have to limit the number of people we can see at each of the nine neighborhood legal clinics to 40.

What are the biggest myths that some lawyers believe about pro bono?
The biggest myth is that pro bono is time-consuming. If volunteers take advantage of all the help and mentoring that is available, pro bono is not as time-consuming as they might think. We can give them pleadings, instructions, case law; we will lead them by the hand.

Why did you choose a career in family law?
I was just trying to eat. I started out on my own after I graduated from law school in 1962. I did a little bit of everything — family, criminal, contracts, whatever walked in the door for a new lawyer. In 1975, I took the specialization exam in family law because that was where I thought I had the most experience. I have kept up my certification since then.

What do you enjoy about practicing family law?
The lawyers — we’re like a big family. Family lawyers are the greatest bunch of professionals. Also, this area of law is very intriguing. A good family law attorney has to be versatile in every area of the law from criminal to torts to intellectual property to tax.

How do you define success?
Success is being happy with yourself and enjoying what you do to make a living. It means being happy in your own skin. And to some extent, it includes financial security.