Legal Elite 2023: Legal Services/ Pro Bono Q&A

Title: Director of pro bono activities

Other legal specialties: I started out as a staff attorney with two legal aid organizations before becoming a sole practitioner handling a general civil caseload, focusing on litigation. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University at Albany, State University of New York; law degree, George Washington University National Law Center

Family: Married to David Beckerman, vocational rehabilitation counselor with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; two adult children, Lena and Gabriel

Career mentors: I have been inspired by so many attorneys who have dedicated their careers to public service work. This includes my first supervisor, Dale Pittman, who confirmed that my decision to become a public interest lawyer was the correct one — and fun!

What do you do for fun? My favorite activities are probably walking, listening to audiobooks, eating chocolate, watching movies, traveling and spending time with friends.

Who do you serve and what pro bono work is most in demand? Our clients are low-income and poverty-level residents of Fairfax County who have various civil legal problems. We have a number of different programs addressing specific legal needs, including Wills on Wheels (drafting end of life documents for seniors and those who are disabled), Neighborhood Outreach Program (providing legal information, advice and referral information to individuals), Family Legal Assistance Project (serving clients with contested family law issues) and others. 

How do you get attorneys interested in pro bono work? I try to connect individually with new and continuing attorneys and discuss the various opportunities, as well as speaking at larger group events. We regularly present continuing legal education programs, where the course is free in exchange for a certain amount of related pro bono work. We also try to work with various interest groups, such as bar committees, with an expertise in the substantive matter where there is a need.

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite.