PROBONO Bulletin - Summer 2008 - (Page 24)

FoURTHoUGHT WILBERT WATTS, JR. (Los angeles) When I think about the pro bono matters I have worked on, it is difficult to conceptualize such work in terms of career advancement. Indeed, they have kept me rooted in the causes that initially led me to law school. It has also expanded my horizons, making me more acutely aware of the world’s great needs and how my legal background and access to the resources of DLa Piper afford me the opportunity to be of assistance in meeting those needs. a great deal of my pro bono work has involved incorporating and obtaining tax exempt status for nonprofit organizations, so I am beginning to develop a niche in this area, particularly with organizations based, or working, in africa. However, any such career development has been a by-product of my desire to give back. RIDGLEy JACKSon (Chicago) My pro bono activities enable me to expand the circle of lawyers from whom I receive billable work and helped me conquer a fear of public speaking. From this came my invitation to sit on the board of the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, where I represent DLa Piper in the community. Once in the courtroom, I found it immensely satisfying and became eager to go again. One of my favorite pro bono activities became representing tenants in housing court. after regularly representing pro bono clients involved in litigation, I started to receive billable assignments from the litigation side of our construction group. It allows me versatility, both in looking for billable work and in my day-to-day activities. Some days I draft documents and handle transactions, and some days I go to court. It is a nice balance. FoUR AnSWERS To onE QUESTIon How has pro bono advanced your career? JEnnIFER SULLIvAn (Boston) Since joining the firm, I have taken on a number of pro bono cases ranging from landlord-tenant disputes to mental health and child education services to juvenile justice. Not only does pro bono work afford me the opportunity to improve the pace of my professional development, it also allows me to expand my experience in numerous practice areas that may not ordinarily be available to me at the firm. as a result of my pro bono work, I have improved my network of contacts in the Boston area, which may bring about new client relationships in the future. In addition, I think that many clients (and potential clients) have a similar commitment to pro bono and may be interested in working with firms and associates who are as enthusiastic about pro bono work as they are. BEn KEISER (Washington, DC) at first, I was motivated to get involved in pro bono projects by a desire to contribute to the community. In addition, I’ve found that pro bono work provides an opportunity to learn and develop both personally and professionally. I’ve gained significant exposure to various people and issues that have enabled me to think and work outside of the typical first-year transactional associate’s domain. For example, Rebuilding Foundations of Home Ownership has taken me from my Washington, DC, office to the coastal region of Mississippi, where I worked alongside attorneys from the Mississippi Center for Justice and the Lawyers’ Committee on Civil Rights helping Hurricane Katrina survivors. I have also established working relationships with real estate lawyers from offices throughout the country. These collaborations are not only essential to the success of these important pro bono projects, but also provide a platform upon which to build a personal network that will be a growing resource as my career develops. 24 | PRO BONO BULLETIN

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PROBONO Bulletin - Summer 2008

PROBONO Bulletin - Summer 2008 Contents A Firm Response to a Natural Disaster Protecting Our Electorate National News An Interview with Sandy Gohn Mapping Impact FourThought Signature Project Update New Perimeter Launches Addis Ababa Law School Project Awards and Recognition What Our Clients Say About Us

PROBONO Bulletin - Summer 2008

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