PRO BONO SPOTLIGHT JULY/AUGUST 2023
Gary Krupkin
Interview by Will Korn
Photo courtesy of Gary Krupkin
Even going back to his childhood, Gary Krupkin has always understood the value of offering a helping hand. As a boy, he observed how his father, a physician, would offer his expertise free of charge to those in his community who could not afford medical care, and it struck a chord. Inspired by his father’s example, Krupkin immediately began working pro bono cases after he became a Texas-licensed attorney in 1994. The Texas bar journal caught up with the Dallas-based attorney to discuss his experience in the pro bono world.
WHAT KIND OF PRO BONO WORK DO YOU DO AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU
BEEN DOING IT?
I’ve been representing clients on a pro bono basis since the day I was
admitted to the bar—July 15, 1994. I’ve taken on pro bono representation
in a variety of cases, including criminal defense, family law, and most
recently, in First Amendment free speech cases. But, if somebody needs
my help in other areas, I will either give it a try or find somebody who
can assist.
WHY IS PRO BONO WORK IMPORTANT TO YOU?
When I was a child, I learned the importance of sharing with others from
my father, a physician. He would give freely of his ime in offering
medical services to nursing homes and patients that could not afford a
physician. Every Thursday, he would attend patients in nursing homes
and, in old-school fashion, do house calls. Notably, Thursday was his
“day off.” He actually did house calls until he was 87. I asked him if
he charged for these services, and he said that he did not. Of course,
being inquisitive, I asked, “Why?” His answer was simple, but I really
didn’t understand it at 7 years old. He said, “The more you give away,
the more you get
back.” Worthy words from a man who lived a most worthy life.
HOW WOULD YOU SAY HANDLING PRO BONO WORK HAS BENEFITED YOUR
LAW CAREER?
Even though many pro bono clients could not afford legal services,
they remembered me in ways that paid far more than the services I
rendered. You never know how rich you are until a family you’ve helped
rings your doorbell and gives you a platter of cookies.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO AN ATTORNEY WHO IS CONSIDERING DOING
PRO BONO FOR THE FIRST TIME?
I’d give her or him the same advice my father gave me: “The more you
give away, the more you get back.”
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS
ABOUT PRO BONO WORK?
Many attorneys feel that simply because they have a professional
degree, they are somehow entitled to monetary compensation for
everything they do with that
degree. Honestly, your degree entitles you to nothing other than to
serve your fellow citizens. Service comes in many forms and fashions and
not always with a price tag, no matter what the senior partners in your
firm may say.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME BETWEEN YOUR NORMAL WORK AND PRO
BONO WORK?
There is always time to lift up your fellow man with a helping hand.
Opinions expressed on the Texas Bar Blog and in the Texas Bar Journal are solely those of the authors. Have an opinion to share? Email us your letters to the editor or articles for consideration at tbj@texasbar.com. View our submission guidelines at texasbar.com/submissions.
