Giving Back to the Roanoke Community Through Access to Justice
Rob Dean Roanoke VA has always believed that access to justice should not depend on the size of a person’s bank account. That commitment to equal justice was on full display through his sponsorship of the Jaunt for Justice, a fundraising race that supports legal services for low-income residents of the Roanoke Valley.
Rob Dean Law was one of the two chief sponsors of the Jaunt for Justice, alongside Gentry Locke, a large Roanoke-based law firm. The race benefits the local legal aid society, an organization with deep roots in the Roanoke community. Founded in 1966, it was the first legal outfit of its kind in Virginia and has handled more than 100,000 cases since its inception.
Rob Dean Roanoke VA Supports Those Who Cannot Afford Legal Fees
The legal aid society’s eight paid lawyers and volunteers work on behalf of low-income clients who otherwise could not afford legal representation. These attorneys typically handle civil matters that rarely generate headlines but are life-changing for the families involved. From eviction defense to family law matters, the legal aid society provides a critical safety net for the Roanoke Valley’s most vulnerable residents.
The funds raised through the Jaunt for Justice make a real difference. The money raised in 2020, for example, was enough to handle roughly seven eviction cases. Because the society’s clients typically have families, those proceeds helped save the roofs over approximately 16 heads, including schoolchildren who might otherwise have faced homelessness.
A Commitment to Community from Rob Dean Roanoke VA
For Rob Dean Roanoke VA, the Jaunt for Justice sponsorship was more than just a business decision. It reflected a deeply held belief that the legal profession has a responsibility to serve the broader community. As a small criminal defense practice, Rob Dean Law’s willingness to stand alongside one of the region’s largest law firms as a chief sponsor spoke volumes about Dean’s character and priorities.
The first Jaunt for Justice event was held in the fall of 2020 at Fallon Park and was organized by the Roanoke Valley Paralegal Association. Despite being launched during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event succeeded in raising meaningful funds for legal aid.
Rob Dean Roanoke VA’s support for the Jaunt for Justice exemplifies the kind of community-minded attorney he has always been. Beyond winning cases in the courtroom, Dean understood that a lawyer’s greatest impact often comes from ensuring that justice is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances.
