“The pro bono cases we take with PLC have made a difference in the lives of our clients and in ours. One of my most memorable experiences, wasn’t even the most time consuming or even legally challenging matter; but it was life changing for a single mother and her two children. And she never let me forget it. Every holiday they would call me, check in with me, let me know what was going on in their lives, and thank me profusely for the work I had done for them. The kids would even drop off art work for me. That experience has made a difference in my life as much as I may have made in theirs.”
Deb Mallgrave, PLC President & Greenberg Gross LLP Partner
“My first case for PLC was an immigration case. I was representing a gentleman from Central America who was being persecuted on the basis of his sexual orientation. He made his way to the United States to seek asylum. I worked with him to ensure he was able to stay in the United States and to be safe. What was remarkable, other than the obvious—which is the great result for him and his life in that case—was the support PLC gave me and the associate working with me on this case. I don’t have an immigration law background and don’t really know a lot about what to do with an immigration case, but the PLC staff gave us all the support we needed to properly and well represent this gentleman, who is now living here safely in the United States.”
Karla Kraft, Volunteers for Justice Co-Chair & Stradling Shareholder
“One of my first pro bono cases was representing an individual who had AIDS in the 1990’s. He was sued by a life insurance company seeking to revoke a life insurance policy he had purchased a few years before with his parents as the beneficiaries. Fortunately, we were able to prevail on summary judgment and later at the Fourth District Court of Appeal, obtaining an award of the policy proceeds with interest. Arguing summary judgment and the appeal was a great experience for a young lawyer. Unfortunately, my client had passed away while the appeal was pending. His parents were terribly grateful, however, for the services we were able to provide and the comfort their son’s policy proceeds provided them as well.”
Chris McGrath, Volunteers for Justice Co-Chair & Paul Hastings Partner