A celebration was held recently at The Salvation Army Southfield offices in honor of the service of Ellen and Robert Dickman (front row center) to the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic. They are pictured with (left to right) Roger Smith, retired Oakland County Cicuit Court Judge Fred Mester, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Denise Langford Morris, Clinic Director Amy Roemer and Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Maria Oxholm.
Photo by John Meiu
Couple retires from William Booth Legal Aid Clinic
After nearly two decades of service to the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic, Robert and Ellen Dickman announced their retirement earlier this year.
Founded in 1994 by the couple, The William Booth Legal Aid Clinic (WBLAC) was opened as an independent 501(c)3 with the goal of paving the way to fresh starts and new opportunities by providing quality legal services for low income individuals and families.
After many years in private practice and in the business world, the Dickmans recognized that indigency had become an impediment to adequately accessing and navigating the legal system and they decided to dedicate their careers to help balance the scales.
The clinic was absorbed by The Salvation Army in 2000. Since then, the clinic has collaborated with the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Program, its shelters and other similar projects while representing indigent clients throughout the community — Monroe, Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.
With the assistance of student interns, the clinic has now resolved more than 19,380 cases involving landlord-tenant issues, support, custody, consumer advocacy, tickets, probation, parenting time and credit issues.
To assist WBLAC with short and long term planning, an advisory board was formed and currently is composed of many members of the legal community including retired Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Fred Mester, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Denise Langford Morris, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Maria Oxholm and Board President Roger Smith of Garan Lucow.
Mester, who served as first clinic board chairman, said he observed “the total commitment of Bob and Ellen to not only ensure equal justice for the indigent, but also their commitment to re-enage him/her with their families and have a successful return to the community.”
The clinic recently incorporated its services with the Salvation Army’s new program to help veterans and their families.
Upon the Robert and Ellen Dickman’s retirement, attorney Amy Roemer was named clinic director. She had been serving as assistant director since 2011.
Langford Morris said the community “has been privileged to have citizen soldiers like Robert and Ellen Dickman in a leadership position within the Salvation Army.
“They were tested repeatedly and withstood immense challenges with grace and fortitude resulting in a legal clinic that all can be proud of,” she said.
With Roemer’s appointment, Langford Morris said “everyone can rest assured that the clinic will continue to grow and succeed for years into the future!”
Board President Roger Smith said the clinic “will forever be indebted to Robert and Ellen Dickman for their vision, dedication and sacrifices on behalf of thousands of clients these past nineteen ears.”
The clinic relies on private contributions to fund operations. It will host its first Walk for Justice Fundraiser on Saturday, April 6, at the Detroit Zoo.
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