Mary Jane Hunter leads disaster legal assistance initiatives at Public Counsel while also supporting the organization’s pro bono program. Her work focuses on building systems and partnerships that expand access to legal help for communities impacted by disasters, including coordinating with legal aid organizations, government agencies, and volunteer attorneys. She also helps strengthen volunteer engagement and improve the delivery of pro bono legal services across Public Counsel.
Mary Jane is passionate about this work because it combines the law with meaningful community impact. She believes access to legal support is essential, yet too many individuals and organizations cannot afford it. She is especially drawn to pro bono work because of its power to mobilize the legal community and expand access to justice for those who need it most.
Before stepping into her current role, Mary Jane worked with Public Counsel’s Veterans Advancement team, helping veterans access VA benefits, obtain discharge upgrades, and navigate complex systems. Earlier in her career, she worked at the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, supporting federal litigation related to the Flores Settlement and assisting individuals with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and other immigration matters. She attended the UCLA Extension Paralegal Program with the goal of building a career in the nonprofit sector.
Outside of work, Mary Jane enjoys hands-on creative pursuits, including jewelry-making, woodworking, stained glass, leatherwork, and watercolor painting. She also practices meditation and yoga and loves trying new crafts just for fun.
