Cooley Law School hypes the importance of pro bono
Cooley Law School’s Career and Professional Development department hosted a panel discussion about the importance of pro bono. The event featured seven panelists, including 13th Circuit Judge Wendy DePaul. Pictured are panelists with Cooley faculty and staff. In the front is Nery Alonso. In the back from the left are Shameka Conwell (Associate Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations, Cooley Law School), Judge DePaul, Lexi Bubley, Tomas Yi, Salkumi Mexile, Scott Tolliver, Anwar Twine-Thomas, Raeseen Kennedy, Joseline Jean-Louis Hardrick (associate professor, Cooley Law School), Noreka Thomas (associate director of Enrollment and Student Services & Career and Professional Development, Cooley Law School).
Cooley Law School’s Career and Professional Development department recently hosted a panel discussion at its Tampa Bay auditorium about the importance of pro bono legal work featuring 13th Circuit Judge Wendy DePaul as one of the seven guest panelists.
During the event, panelists and students engaged in a roundtable discussion, regarding the importance of pro bono work in the current legal landscape, particularly in light of the access-to-justice gap. They explored how law students can effectively incorporate pro bono work into their careers from the outset. The discussion also touched on challenges lawyers face when engaging in pro bono work and how law firms can better support these efforts. Panelists shared personal experiences on how pro bono work has shaped their perspectives on the legal profession and the lasting impacts they have gained from their efforts.
About the panelists:
- Judge DePaul’s work centers around making justice accessible to the community. With a passion for fairness and equity, she has been instrumental in fostering collaborations that help serve those who may not have access to legal resources, according to the law school.
- Scott Tolliver of Crossroads for Florida Kids leads efforts to provide legal advocacy for children in need. He focuses on protecting the rights of vulnerable populations and Florida’s youth, ensuring that their voices are heard in the legal system.
- Lexy Bubley of Bubley & Bubley specializes in civil litigation, family law, and estate planning, and provides legal support to underserved communities and advocates for the transformative power of pro bono work.
- Tomas Yi of the St. Vincent de Paul Society works to alleviate poverty and support those in need through legal advocacy.
- Nery Alonso of Bay Area Legal Services works to provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. Her focus is on “creating real-world impact through her pro bono efforts.”
- Raeseen Kennedy of Bay Area Legal Services has experience in family law and civil legal services, and focuses on giving voice to those who are often marginalized.
- Salkumi Mexile, an advocate for justice at Bay Area Legal Services, focuses on “empowering communities through coordinating volunteers for the organization.”
