My Pro Bono Story

I'm a Kirkland & Ellis lifer — it's the only firm I've ever worked at — and I knew from the start of my career that pro bono projects would be an important part of a well-rounded experience. I began working on pro bono projects as soon as I arrived, taking on matters ranging from organizing a school in Uganda to helping low-income individuals prepare their tax returns. I participated in and helped lead community service projects growing up and throughout college and law school (and even met my wife organizing a community service event for our college’s alumni group), so I have always had an inclination toward pro bono work.

I was fortunate enough to take on the role of the Austin office’s pro bono coordinator as part of a team of several Kirkland partners who co-founded the office in 2021. Given my longstanding track record of participating in pro bono projects and my enthusiasm for the Firm’s Texas expansion, it was a natural fit.

I think what sets the Austin office apart is that our founding was relatively recent, and therefore the momentum for new initiatives — pro bono opportunities included — is high. Austin, as the state capital and a big university town with tech appeal, is at a high-growth inflection point, so we're uniquely situated to become involved with many exciting pro bono efforts. The energy here is limitless, and we are forging new partnerships with pro bono organizations, the University of Texas Law School and private sector businesses to continually expand our reach.

There have been many meaningful pro bono experiences throughout my career, but most recently, I very much enjoyed working with Small Places, a Houston-based urban farm that provides healthy produce and farming education to Houston’s historic East End, an underserved neighborhood that was effectively a food desert. Supporting an entrepreneurial organization that brings nutritious food and educational opportunities to a community where these resources have historically been in short supply is incredibly rewarding. I have enjoyed watching this organization grow and make a real difference in the Houston community.

Pro bono work has allowed me to apply my legal experience toward community-focused causes that I care about, and thus, it allows me to reconnect with my skill set outside of the typical day-to-day routine. Pro bono work reinspires my intrinsic motivation, work ethic and commitment to excellence. It has also provided an extra opportunity to build professional skills from the earliest days of my career.