The American Bar Association’s National Celebration of Pro Bono (October 25-31) is intended to highlight the growing need for pro bono legal services, recognize volunteer lawyers, and expand access to justice. To mark the occasion, Proskauer has spotlighted one person from the Firm each day to recognize their outstanding pro bono achievements and inspire everyone to participate. We are proud to recognize the extraordinary achievements of our Pro Bono Week honorees:
Monday – Aaliyah L. Brown
Aaliyah is a paralegal in the Private Investment Funds Group. She has devoted countless hours to various pro bono projects. Among other matters, Aaliyah worked with an expert witness on an impact litigation case; assisted with four asylum cases; organized three uncontested divorce clinics; and currently manages a school suspension hotline.
“I’ve always worked at nonprofits and believe it’s important to give back. When I came to the Firm, I wanted to be able to contribute in that way. Proskauer, to me, is always there to respond to an express need and provide the highest level of client care. Pro bono work has been a great experience for me, and I strongly recommend that everyone get involved.”
Tuesday – Edward C. Young
Eddie is a senior counsel in the Labor & Employment Department. He has served as the pro bono program’s point person in the Chicago office for the past 10 years. His distinguished record of pro bono service has spanned impact litigation, immigration, gun violence prevention, employment counseling, veterans’ discharge upgrade matters, and non-compete disputes.
“As lawyers, we have skills and access that most people don’t, and for many people, a lawyer is the difference between having rights on paper and having them in fact. Pro bono lets me put those skills to work for people and organizations that would otherwise go without. It also makes me a better lawyer. These matters have given me experience and perspective I wouldn’t have gained any other way.”
Wednesday – Christina H. Kroll
Christina is a litigation associate in the Los Angeles office. She has worked on a wide range of pro bono matters, including asylum, adoption, impact litigation, and military discharge upgrades.
“Pro bono work has given me opportunities to appear in court, interview clients, and develop my drafting skills. I think we all have something to contribute to the communities in which we live. Some people build houses; others provide medical care in remote areas. As lawyers, we can contribute our legal training and experience. Beyond that, I think pro bono work gives us an opportunity to interact with and try to help real humans going through real-life challenges.”
Thursday – Lisa B. Markofsky
Lisa is a special litigation counsel in the Boca Raton office. As part of her pro bono practice, she has drafted appellate briefs in family law matters and worked on gun safety and reproductive rights matters. She is currently working on a case with the Innocence Project.
“Pro bono lets me use my legal skills to help real people with real problems, often at the most important moments in their lives, who often have nowhere else to turn. The Innocence Project case is just that. Our client has been in jail for 10 years for a crime the evidence overwhelmingly shows he did not commit. This is an incredible use of our skills and effort.”
Friday – Peter J. Cramer
Peter is an associate in the Corporate Department and a member of the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group. Peter has represented dozens of Volunteer Lawyer for the Arts (VLA) clients — artists, dancers, filmmakers, writers, and the like. In addition, he has done a significant amount of work for various nonprofits.
“My pro bono work is transactional, so the impact doesn’t show itself in the form of a win in court or a big headline (usually). Instead, it often takes the form of watching the artists and organizations that I support grow and thrive. I’ve gained a lot of experience translating legal issues into tangible, understandable concepts for non-lawyers. This is, of course, a big part of non-pro bono work also, but it is especially crucial when dealing with artists and small organizations.”
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