Volunteer of the Month – March 2025

Laura Smith is of counsel at O’Melveny & Myers LLP. 

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

I became more involved in pro bono in the summer of 2022 after joining O’Melveny the prior year.  Specifically, I started participating in DVAP’s virtual legal intake clinics and the in-person clinics in South Dallas and East Dallas.

• • Describe you most compelling pro bono case. 

While I wasn’t able to actually take on this case, I recall at one of the in-person clinics meeting a young man who was needing to change his legal name so that he could be employed.  His legal name was very strange (akin to “little boy”) and for confidentiality reasons I do not want to disclose his actual legal name, but I remember being so struck by how such a simple thing could cause so many problems for a young man that was simply wanting to find a job.

• • Why do you do pro bono? 

It provides me an outlet to use my law degree outside of my regular day-to-day practice and give back to those that would otherwise not be able to secure legal assistance. 

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

Participating in pro bono initiatives at O’Melveny and with DVAP has made me a more well-rounded attorney and allowed me to learn about other areas of the law that I may not otherwise see in my everyday practice as a bankruptcy lawyer.

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

Meeting members of the Dallas community that I may not otherwise encounter in my day-to-day practice.  Often, people who are participating in the DVAP clinics are not just looking for legal assistance but also to feel like they are being heard, and I am so happy to be able to be the one to fulfill that need even if I may not be able to be the one to help them with their legal problem.