When you think of lawyers, the next thought usually involves a large fee. However, Matt Benda is one attorney who volunteers his time and services to many organizations and individuals for free. Benda has been actively involved in volunteering in the Albert Lea community since 1996.

He is the co-chairman of the Freeborn County Republican Party, Vice President of the Freeborn County Trail Association, and is on the Minnesota Bar Association Agricultural Section Council.

He’s also a volunteer attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services. This service provides free legal aid to people in need of an attorney but who cannot afford one. He assists mainly with divorce cases.

Benda started volunteering in junior high school. He was influenced at a young age by his family who was active within their community when he was growing up.

&uot;If you are going to be a member of a community, you must work to make it better,&uot; Benda said.