Fernando Avelar
Volunteer of the Month – November 2024 Fernando Avelar is a partner at Dorsey & Whitney LLP. What types of cases have you accepted? I have primarily taken on divorce cases and probate matters on a pro bono basis. Describe your most compelling pro bono case. One of my most compelling cases I had the privilege of handling involved representing a single mother seeking a divorce from her husband due to physical abuse. This was not only a legal battle but also an emotional journey for my client. The husband, who had moved to another…
Christina Suh
Volunteer of the Month – October 2024 Christina Suh is a staff attorney at the Texas Advocacy Project. How did you first get involved in pro bono? I went to law school to serve the underserved, not necessarily only economically, but anyone who needs legal services. Upon graduation, I needed flexible legal training without working full-time, and found pro bono opportunities with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. What types of cases have you accepted? I helped clients with name changes, driver’s license restoration, probates, and pro se divorces. Why do you do pro bono? Because…
Donna Wood
Volunteer of the Month – September 2024 Donna Wood is a sole practitioner. What types of cases have you accepted? I only take cases within the areas that I practice – estate planning and probate. Although I did just complete DVAP’s CLE on “Handling your First No-Kids Divorce,” so I expect I’ll look in to branching out soon… Describe your most compelling pro bono case. I think a lot of the probate cases would qualify. It’s not that any one in particular stands out, but just being able to help people who are in the…
Katherine Pennetti
Volunteer of the Month – August 2024 Katherine Pennetti is a partner at Nelson Mullins. How did you first get involved in pro bono? I started working on pro bono cases several years ago; however, I have devoted a significant amount of time to pro bono work (specifically with DVAP) since I joined my firm, Nelson Mullins, in March 2023. Nelson Mullins is very devoted to pro bono work and encourages all of its attorneys to give back. I’m thankful to work for a firm that cares about my community as much as I do….
Foster Ford
Volunteer of the Month – July 2024 Foster Ford is an estate planning associate at Foley & Lardner LLP. How did you first get involved in pro bono? I first got involved in pro bono work while in law school an d knew that I wanted to continue that work as part of my law practice. DVAP has made it easy to stay involved in the pro bono and legal community. What types of cases have you accepted? I have primarily assisted individuals and families with estate planning and probate matters through the DVAP program….
Griffin Baker
Volunteer of the Month – June 2024 Griffin Baker is a tax associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. How did you first get involved in pro bono? I first got involved in pro bono when I joined Weil. They put a strong emphasis on pro bono and have their new attorneys work with the Innocence Project as part of their onboarding process. So I’ve been involved with pro bono from the first days of my legal career. What types of cases have you accepted? I served as DVAP’s Lend-a-Lawyer for two months earlier this…
Rosalyn Lark
Volunteer of the Month – May 2024 Rosalyn Lark is a sole practitioner. How did you first get involved in pro bono? As a paralegal, I heard about DVAP through a legal clinic offered at my church. I assisted with the intake process and quickly realized how important pro bono work is to my community. Building on that experience, I was ecstatic for the opportunity to do pro bono work during law school. I worked at a legal clinic where I got the opportunity to help those who needed legal representation but did not have…
Robert L. Villaseñor
Volunteer of the Month – April 2024 Robert L. Villaseñor is the General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer of MoneyGram International How did you first get involved in pro bono? I became involved in pro bono early in my career with DVAP and have continued to handle pro bono cases throughout my career. Describe your most compelling pro bono case. Each case has been compelling and rewarding. I think the most emotional and impactful was an asylum case that I worked on in New York involving Tibetan refugees. It was a life changing…
Eugene Temchenko
Volunteer of the Month – March 2024 Eugene Temchenko is a senior associate in the Complex Commercial Litigation group at Vinson & Elkins LLP. How did you first get involved in pro bono? Having arrived to the United States on a humanitarian parole, my family and I were no strangers to dealing with poverty and a litany of legal twists and turns. And while I quickly gravitated to large commercial disputes (and firmly believe that defending businesses against non-meritorious suits protects jobs for everyone), I always wanted a part of my practice to be devoted to…
Daniel Chavez
Volunteer of the Month – February 2024 Daniel Chavez is an associate at G.J. Chavez & Associates, P.C. How did you first get involved in pro bono? Through our firm, our attorneys have always been involved with the Dallas Bar Association. While I was first licensed, working with DVAP helped me learn the processes and helped guide me into the procedures of the different cases—thanks to DVAP’s mentor attorneys. Describe your most compelling pro bono case. My most compelling pro bono case had to be the first one I took. It wasn’t anything too difficult…
