Pro Bono Adventures
Featured Volunteer: David Johnson
December 10, 2025
Colorado Lawyer is spreading tales of pro bono adventures to highlight the impact that pro bono work can have on someone’s life. This month’s featured volunteer is David M. Johnson, a former CBA past president and Award of Merit recipient who retired from Johnson Kush after 49 years in practice.
David’s Story
I took a pro bono dissolution with children case in El Paso County. My client was a Belgian citizen, here on a visa, accompanying her husband, who worked in tech. They had two small children, both born in Belgium.
In meeting with Rene, I saw how afraid and stressed she was. She was in a foreign country and felt powerless. Her husband had filed for divorce, had a lawyer, and said she would be penniless and lose custody of the children. Rene’s visa did not allow her to work in the United States. Rene wanted to return to Belgium with the children because she felt they would be better off living in the home they knew. I spoke no French, but fortunately Rene spoke excellent English.
Rene was a delight to work with and provided all the information I needed to help. I was able to obtain a PRE (parental responsibilities evaluator) who recommended that she be allowed to return to Belgium with the children. The father eventually agreed to this arrangement, to pay child support, and to a property settlement. Rene was thrilled and stopped by to thank me. Several months later, she called from Belgium to ask about some minor issues concerning child support. She reported that she was working as a teacher, the kids were thriving, and she was happy.
Rene was typical of my pro bono clients—cooperative, helpful, reasonable in her goals, and appreciative of my help. Doing pro bono work changes people’s lives in ways we cannot imagine. It is the most rewarding work you will ever do.
If you have a pro bono story to share, please contact Casey Frank at letters@caseyfrank.com. Names and details have been changed to protect the identity of the parties receiving assistance.
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