This is a landmark year for ALRP and for Panel Attorney Boone Callaway. 2008 marks ALRP’s 25th year of service, and Boone’s 20th year as a Panel Attorney. Boone has been an invaluable asset to our Panel, preparing numerous wills for clients, serving as a mentor for ALRP Panel Attorneys and staff, and training many, many attorneys to prepare simple wills as volunteer Panel Attorneys. His extraordinary spirit for volunteerism, his calm and soothing demeanor, and his deep compassion inspire all who have the privilege of working with him.

Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Boone bought a one-way plane ticket to San Francisco just one week after graduating from law school in 1986. He came here for the supportive and tolerant environment for his professional career as a gay attorney. Boone  was sworn in by judge Mary Morgan later that year. He quickly became involved in the LGBT community and joined Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF). In BALIF he met ALRP’s first director, Clint Hockenberry, who inspired him to get involved with ALRP. At the time, ALRP volunteers focused on preparing emergency wills for those dying from AIDS. Though Boone had little familiarity with estate planning, he jumped right in and, over the years, has helped numerous clients make sure that their final wishes are respected.

Though he found it challenging to work with young clients at the end of their lives, Boone sought solace in the fact that his work was part of a larger effort to alleviate the crisis and the toll it was taking on the community. He remembers many grateful clients, including some who were surprised that an attorney was doing work for them without charge. Boone reflected, “One of my first clients was so grateful that he made me a gourmet, multi-course dinner. Every bite was rich with gratitude and warmth. It was touching.”

Boone practices with ALRP co-founder Carl Wolf at Callaway & Wolf, where his work includes medical malpractice, personal injury, and estate planning. His commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS and serving those affected by it is reflected in his exceptional stewardship of ALRP’s work, and his service on the board of Maitri AIDS Hospice.

Boone says, “ALRP has been such an incredible force for helping people in our community and it has been a privilege to be a part of it.” Here at ALRP, we are grateful to have such a dedicated and long-standing Panel Attorney who shares his commitment, expertise, and warmth at every turn. Happy Anniversary Boone!