Washington Lawyer - July/August 2019 - 47

THE PRO BONO EFFECT

WENDY HADFIELD

CRAIG G. FALLS

Partner, Dechert LLP

Paralegal Specialist, Federal Communications Commission

EXPERTISE: Antitrust, mergers and acquisitions

EXPERTISE: All pro bono work; passed the D.C. Bar exam in 2018

PRO BONO CENTER EXPERIENCE: 6-plus months, Housing Right

PRO BONO CENTER EXPERIENCE: 3 years, Advice & Referral Clinic

to Counsel Project

I think the most challenging part is doing work that is not something
you do daily. Sometimes, I feel like I'm guessing at what I need to do. But
in that regard, we've had a tremendous mentor from the Pro Bono Center,
Jennie Netburn, who's been able to hold our hands and make sure that
we're doing everything the right way. It would be very hard for us to get
the victories that we've achieved without her help.

SHARON HUTCHINS

Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General
for the District of Columbia
EXPERTISE: Represents District agencies in bid protests before the D.C.

Contract Appeals Board; litigates disputes between contractors and District
agencies
PRO BONO CENTER EXPERIENCE: 4 years, Bankruptcy Clinic

I was interested in getting experience in something totally new.
I thought volunteering with the Pro Bono Center would be a good
opportunity because of the training that's provided and the support you
get from its mentors, who are available to answer questions. I think it's
important to acquire new skills that could be transferable, such as learning
to communicate with a wide variety of people - not just the clients that
you're accustomed to.

At the FCC, I'm still doing paralegal work until I find a job as a lawyer.
Every time I volunteer through the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, I learn something new about the law or a different law [practice]. I get to write different
types of [legal] letters and file different types of documents through the
D.C. Courts. Professionally, [volunteering with the Pro Bono Center] has
been enriching. It also allows me to network and exchange business cards
with other lawyers who volunteer - all of which can lead to further
opportunities.

BRENDA OLIVER

Of Counsel, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
EXPERTISE: Employment-based immigration
PRO BONO CENTER EXPERIENCE: 3 years, Immigration Legal Advice

& Referral Clinic

Most business-based immigration lawyers don't know a lot about the
court aspect of people dealing with immigration issues. The Immigration
Legal Advice & Referral Clinic serves the populations that just need immigration advice, and that advice can vary with respect to the issues. It could
be family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, or something else involved in going before the Immigration Court. I advise the pro
bono attorneys who are meeting directly with the clients. I love giving back
to the community through this avenue.

JULY/AUGUST 2019

WASHINGTON LAWYER 47

https://www.dcbar.org/

Washington Lawyer - July/August 2019

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