Volunteer of the Month – December 2024

Fernando Avelar is a partner at Dorsey & Whitney LLP.

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

My first pro bono case was through DVAP, when I was a summer associate.  Haynes and Boone always includes a pro bono project in its summer program.  I helped draft estate planning documents for a client.  It was simple, but it made an impact on someone.  Since then, I’ve gotten to supervise summer associates doing the same project, which is a special experience to have come full circle on that work.

• • Which clinics have you assisted with?

Haynes and Boone sponsors a DVAP virtual intake clinic once a month, and I’ve participated in that.  It only takes an hour, DVAP packages all the paperwork ahead of time, and all attorneys have to do is call prospective DVAP clients and ask a few questions.  There’s a lot of need in the Dallas area but limited pro bono resources, so screening cases for DVAP is important.

• • Why do you do pro bono? 

We have an obligation to give back as attorneys.  A law license is a powerful thing, and there are a lot of people out there who need help that only we can give.  It only takes being involved in a couple of matters to realize how important this work is to our pro bono clients.

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

Pro bono taught me trial skills.  I first chaired a bench trial in federal court.  That is an experience that young attorneys won’t get on a client billable matter, but if you step up and take a pro bono case, it’s your case and you take responsibility for all pieces of it.  There were four of us on that case, and for all of us it was our first substantive stand-up experience in federal court.  A partner mentored us through the process, and we had amazing support from the firm, but we owned the matter.  The learn-by-doing potential of pro bono is unmatched.

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

There is a real bond that comes from working with other attorneys on pro bono matters.  Everyone on a pro bono case volunteered to be a part of it and is there because they care about making a difference.  A bond can develop on any team, but when everyone puts their heart into a case and values the work being done, the connection can be profound.  I didn’t expect that kind of camaraderie, but the relationships I developed or deepened through pro bono work are special.