Volunteer of the Month – September 2020

Brad Monceaux is a sole practitioner.

1. How did you first get involved with pro bono?
   I was introduced to DVAP while in law school and immediately knew that when I became licensed, volunteering with DVAP would be a great way to serve the legal needs of those who cannot afford the legal representation that everyone deserves.
2. Describe your most compelling pro bono case.
   My most compelling pro bono case involved assisting an elderly client who signed a will under undue influence. The elderly client spent a year trying to obtain the will from the person holding it for “safe keeping” and was never able to do so. The case was a glaring reminder of how easy it is for one of our most vulnerable populations to be taken advantage of. And, it reinforced that I am practicing in an area that I am passionate about.
3. Why do you do pro bono?
   I have been blessed in my life no doubt because of the kindness, compassion, and support shown to me by others. I am mindful of those blessings and my professional responsibility to the community, and so that is why I volunteer with DVAP to provide pro bono legal services to those who need it most.
4. What impact has pro bono service had on your career?
   Pro bono service has given me the opportunity to encounter a wide variety of issues within my areas of practice in a short period of time. The learning curve is steep, but I have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience from the cases I have taken on and the DVAP mentors that I have been introduced to.
5. What is the most unexpected benefit you have received from doing pro bono?
   Building relationships with pro bono clients and the joy that comes from hearing just how meaningful my help is to them.