Last Thursday, we were honored to gather with some of Public Counsel’s most dedicated legal partners at our Pro Bono Awards Reception at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion—an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary role pro bono volunteers play in advancing justice and transforming lives in Los Angeles and across the nation.
Pro bono is at the heart of Public Counsel’s mission. Our partnerships with volunteer attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals amplify our reach—bringing unmatched expertise and resources to our work and powering both high-profile litigation victories and deeply meaningful individual wins that change clients’ lives. This is a true partnership, grounded in the talent, dedication, and generosity of our pro bono community and supported by Public Counsel’s collaborative model, mentorship, and structure.
At the reception, we proudly recognized our 2025 Pro Bono Honorees— volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to justice and service. Their advocacy reflects the very best of pro bono work and exemplifies the life-changing legal support our clients rely on every day.
2025 Pro Bono Honorees
- Geoff Olsen (Ret.)
- Morgan Chu, Eli Levinson, Bruce Wessel, Connor He-Schaefer, Jennifer Keute, Michael Ermer, Nick Wagner, and Jacob Park — IRELL & MANELLA
Measure ULA & Yale Terrace Litigation Teams - Barry Weisz and Michael Rosenblum — THOMPSON COBURN
- David Hagen — LAW OFFICES OF DAVID S. HAGEN
- Nick Hoffman and Aria Hangval — MCGUIREWOODS
- Conrad Wilton and Spencer Persson — DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE
- Sarah Brooks, David Fink, Josie Hall, Alexandra Kolsky, Claire Serruto, Adel Kelifa, Kristy Hsi, and Matthew Raber — VENABLE
- Lorenzo Gasparetti — CROWELL & MORING
- Mike Hart — MARTINEZ, HART, SANCHEZ AND ROMERO
Christina West and Kayla Jankowski — KEEGAN RICHARDSON SOLIMON & WEST
Kevin S. Litigation Team - Matthew Craig and Mack Jenkins — HECKER FINK
San Francisco v. Trump & Vasquez Perdomo Litigation Teams
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are deeply grateful to the generous sponsors whose support made our Pro Bono Awards Reception possible. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to justice and the power of pro bono to create meaningful change.
- Founding Sponsor — FTI CONSULTING
- Presenting Sponsor — MCGUIREWOODS
- Pro Bono Champions —THOMPSON COBURN, HECKER FINK
- Advocate for Justice — CROWELL & MORING
We are equally grateful to the thousands of legal professionals who volunteer with Public Counsel each year. When broken systems stack the odds against people, they turn to Public Counsel and our pro bono partners. Together, we help ensure access to the legal system and build a more just, inclusive, and thriving future for our communities.
To every pro bono volunteer who shares their time, skills, and expertise: thank you. Your partnership makes justice possible and creates lasting change for the clients and families we serve.
Reception Highlights
View more event photos (click here)
