Tell me about your regular practice area: Where do you practice and what do you do? What do you love most about your job?
I practice exclusively family law in Raleigh. I am also a certified mediator and parenting coordinator. The best part of my job is problem solving and helping the party/parties move forward with integrity, whether I’m in the role of attorney/advocate, mediator, or parenting coordinator.
What is your favorite pro bono experience?
Lawyers in Your Library. The atmosphere and energy is terrific–a group of family law colleagues gathering together and providing legal support to clients who are often scared and uncertain. My family law colleagues have been enthusiastic and grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in this way.
Tell me about your experience with Pro Bono Resource Center projects.
Top notch support and organization to create meaningful volunteer opportunities
How has pro bono volunteerism enriched your career?
Personally: I think service to others is perspective building and an expression of gratitude. I love connecting with new people and making them feel that someone sees them and respects them. Professionally: having the opportunity to strategize with a client with limited resources–and when you only have limited time with that person–is great practice in creative problem solving.
Of what moment(s) from your pro bono work are you proudest?
I am very proud of connecting so many of our family law colleagues to volunteer opportunities like Lawyers in Your Library and Attorney of the Day.
What advice would you give to attorneys who have not yet provided any pro bono service?
If every family law colleague would participate in some form of pro bono work (and especially if everyone met the State Bar’s annual 50 hour pro bono expectation!), we could collectively change access to justice in our state.