Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 49

THE PRO BONO EFFEC T
the contrast. Helping a global company acquire
another global company is exciting work but
can be impersonal. Volunteering gives him the
opportunity to get closer to the people he's
serving.
" I feel the importance, and I feel their gratitude, " he says. " It's a deeply rewarding feeling
that never gets old. Many lawyers became
lawyers because of that! "
His pro bono clients come in all forms, backgrounds, and sizes, he says. No volunteer shift
is like the next, which he enjoys. Skinner
describes the work as diverse, eclectic, and
sometimes challenging.
A recent and intellectually challenging case
involved an award-winning writer and accomplished musician who knew more than the
average pro bono client. The client had done
his homework. " I brought skills that I'd honed
over my many years. Here was someone knowledgeable and insightful in his own way who
was pushing back and asking questions to
make sure the answers I gave him were precise
and accurate, " Skinner says. " I really had to go
to the frontiers of my experience. "
During the pandemic, he's had to step out of
his comfort zone to meet the needs of pro
bono clients. Pre-COVID-19, he had never used
the Zoom web conferencing platform. He got
his first experience in April and recalls being so
nervous that things would fall apart. The client
was a public relations firm that needed help
with the CARES Act and paycheck protection
loan process. " It went very smoothly. The technology worked. It was nice that it didn't have to

be a face-to-face meeting to help the client
and address their needs, " Skinner says.
Like so many, Skinner says he's grateful for the
flexibility to work from home and the opportunity to spend more quality time with his wife
and kids. But staying connected outside of his
bubble is a hurdle. Technology helps, but
" Zoom fatigue " is a real thing, he says. Arnold &
Porter's summer program was fully remote this
year. " It can be challenging to stay alert. We
spent a lot of calories to make sure we kept
them engaged. "
The future of the pandemic is uncertain, but it
hasn't dampened Skinner's passion to help
those in need. He encourages other attorneys
to get involved, by reaching out to the Pro
Bono Center and exploring the variety of clinics
and other opportunities that are available.
" I am blessed with countless opportunities that
allowed me to get to where I am. So much of it
was due to mentors and people opening doors
to me. None of what I have [could have been]
available without guidance and support
from others. I feel the obligation to pay that
forward, " Skinner says.
Stacy Julien is a regular contributor to
Washington Lawyer.

If you're interested in volunteering with
the Pro Bono Center's Small Business Brief
Advice Legal Clinic, contact cedinfo@dcbar.
org.

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Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021

Digital Extras
From Our President
Practice Management
Calendar of Events
Toward Well-Being
Staying Put in Big Law feature
A Sisterhood of Latina Lawyers Sidebar
Increasing Diversity & Inclusion the the Legal Profession feature
Cultivate Mentorships sidebar
A Tribute to Judge June L. Green feature
Delicate Balance for Black Women Attorneys in Government Feature
Falling Short on Disability Inclusion feature
Elusive Justice in Violence Against Native Women feature
Worth Reading
On Further Review
The Learning Curve
Member Spotlight - Marcia Madsen
Member Spotlight - Simon Zinger
ABA Delegates Corner
Attorney Briefs
Speaking of Ethics
Disciplinary Summaries
The Pro Bono Effecy
A Slice of Wry
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Cover1
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Cover2
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 1
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 2
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 3
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Digital Extras
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 5
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - From Our President
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Calendar of Events
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Practice Management
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Toward Well-Being
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Staying Put in Big Law feature
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 11
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - A Sisterhood of Latina Lawyers Sidebar
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 13
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Increasing Diversity & Inclusion the the Legal Profession feature
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 15
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Cultivate Mentorships sidebar
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 17
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - A Tribute to Judge June L. Green feature
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 19
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 20
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 21
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Delicate Balance for Black Women Attorneys in Government Feature
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 23
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 24
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 25
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Falling Short on Disability Inclusion feature
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 27
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 28
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 29
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Elusive Justice in Violence Against Native Women feature
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 31
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 32
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Worth Reading
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 34
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 35
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - On Further Review
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - The Learning Curve
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Member Spotlight - Marcia Madsen
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Member Spotlight - Simon Zinger
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 40
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 41
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - ABA Delegates Corner
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Attorney Briefs
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Speaking of Ethics
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 45
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Disciplinary Summaries
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 47
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - The Pro Bono Effecy
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 49
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 50
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 51
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - A Slice of Wry
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Cover3
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - Cover4
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