Volunteer of the Month – April 2021

Patrick Lewis is an associate at Andrea Sager Law PLLC.

• • How did you first get involved in pro bono?

I just wrapped up my first year of practice. I made a commitment to myself that I would make pro bono work be a staple and a routine in my practice. I had heard great things about DVAP and the support they provide attorneys, so I decided to start taking cases. Taking on cases in unfamiliar areas of law can be scary as a young attorney, but DVAP provided great support and made it easy to get involved.

• • Describe your most compelling pro bono case.

My main practice area is trademark law. I recently assisted a small local business with their trademark application through DVAP. I loved being able to help out a small business in my community. Having a registered trademark is such a critical part of any business, but filing a trademark application without an attorney is tough. I’m glad I was able to assist someone who otherwise wouldn’t have had access to a trademark attorney.

• • Why do you do pro bono?

I think about a quote from Spider Man where he says, “with great power comes great responsibility.” There is a lot of power that comes along with having a law license. I feel like I have a responsibility as an attorney to use that power to help people. I think it’s so important to be able to give people access to attorneys who otherwise would not have access.

• • What impact has pro bono service had on your career?

Pro bono work has made me a better all-around attorney. I like being able to branch out into other areas of the law that I don’t normally deal with.

• • What is the most unexpected benefit you have received from doing pro bono?

I love seeing the impact my work has on the lives of my clients. Doing pro bono work really puts things into perspective. I think that perspective is something that really benefits me in my practice.