Volunteer of the Month – September 2023

Lindsey Alhadef is a senior associate at Alston & Bird LLP.

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

I got involved my first year of law school when I partnered with the Mithoff Program at the University of Texas School of Law and attended the Pro Bono in January winter break service trip to Texas’s Rio Grande Valley and other locations in South Texas. We were able to assist with various immigration services for the week. I then became involved my first year of practice with various intake clinics and a divorce case and have been active ever since.

• • What types of cases have you accepted?

I have helped with wills, divorce cases, intake clinics, Hague Convention matters, homelessness case studies, charitable foundation partnerships, and Amicus brief document review.

• • What clinics have you assisted with?

I have assisted with the veteran clinics and DVAP intake clinics. These are very low time commitments with huge rewards. It is only two or three hours of your time! I try to help with these quarterly when my schedule permits, and I always have some interesting intakes, whether they be landlord-tenant disputes, probate, expunctions, child custody, etc.

• • Why do you do pro bono?

You get firsthand experience far earlier in your career, whether you are at a hearing with a judge your first year of practice, drafting a will and working directly with the client on executing it, drafting motions related to a divorce case, or interviewing the client by yourself. This is your matter or case, and you get to take ownership of it. It is hard to get that type of experience early on in your career, and you have an opportunity to do so with pro bono, while helping the community and making a positive impact. There are so many people who need legal assistance and cannot afford it and do not know who to turn to. It is gratifying to be one of the people that can use my skills to help.

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

Pro bono builds empathy and character. I have been able to use these traits in everyday practice. I have also broadened my experiences by participating in hearings (which I would never have done in my practice). I have also drafted corporate documents I would not otherwise see. The additional corporate experiences make me a more well-rounded attorney. Also, I feel better about myself and my role in the community.