Volunteer of the Month – December 2023

Kate Eberhardt is a senior associate at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP.

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

I had exposure to pro bono in law school, but my substantive involvement began when I joined Hunton Andrews Kurth in 2019. The firm’s commitment to pro bono is outstanding, and soon after joining the firm I took a case pro bono with the Genesis Women’s Shelter.

• • Which clinics have you assisted with?

I have done dozens of the DVAP weekly intake clinics, both in person and virtual. I have also done the DVAP Small Business Clinic at the Dallas Library and the DVAP Wills Clinic at the Senior Source.

• • Describe your most compelling pro bono case.

My most rewarding cases have been divorces with a history of domestic violence. It is hard to put into words the relief those divorces provide to my clients and I feel proud to be part of delivering that closure.

• • Why do you do pro bono?

Equal access. Underserved people and communities deserve legal protection and advocacy. Pro bono representation provides those services to people who would not otherwise have access to those remedies.

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

My pro bono work has broadened my comfort zone of the types of cases I work on. I am a transactional attorney by trade and the idea of appearing in court before a judge used to make me a little queasy. While it might be a little uncomfortable at first to step out of the comfort zone of our main practice area, we can all provide so much value to our communities with the same skills that got us through law school and the bar exam.