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 in the Winston-Salem office of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. I am a healthcare attorney, focusing primarily on certificate of need matters and litigation. My favorite thing about my job is that no two days are the same. Since I began practicing law in 2018, I have been learning something new almost daily. 

 

What is your most recent pro bono experience?

Most recently, I worked on a guardian ad litem appellate brief. 

 

How has engaging in pro bono legal service-enriched your career, or enriched you personally or professionally?

As a young attorney, doing pro bono legal service affords me the opportunity to have more direct client contact and work on my case management skills. Pro bono has been a great way for me to get substantive opportunities to work on my legal writing. Personally, pro bono allows me to help populations and people that I might not get to serve in my every day practice. 

 

Of what moment(s) from your pro bono work are you the most proud?

I am most proud of the small settlements I have been able to obtain in landlord/tenant disputes. Even though the cases are often challenging, it’s hard to beat the feeling of knowing that you made a difference in someone’s life. 

 

What advice would you give someone who has not yet provided any pro bono work?

Pro bono is an excellent opportunity to expand and develop your legal skill set. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved, regardless of how long you’ve been practicing or how much time you have to contribute. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience with the topic, it has been my experience that organizations offering pro bono opportunities, like the NC Pro Bono Resource Center, are eager to help you make sure you have the tools you need to be successful. Just do it!