PRO BONO SPOTLIGHT OCTOBER 2022
The Pro Bono Spotlight features attorneys chosen by the Texas Access to Justice Commission or the State Bar of Texas for their exceptional commitment to pro bono work. Find pro bono opportunities, support, and inspiration at probonotexas.org. Opinions expressed on the Texas Bar Blog and in the Texas Bar Journal are solely those of the authors. Have an opinion to share? Email us your letters to the editor or articles for consideration at tbj@texasbar.com. View our submission guidelines at texasbar.com/submissions.
Maddy Dwertman
Interview by Will Korn
Photo courtesy of Baker Botts
Maddy Dwertman, a senior associate of Baker Botts in Austin,
focuses TheIr law practice on representing trans and gender
nonconforming refugees seeking asylum in the United States. the
recipient of the American Bar Association’s 2022 Pro Bono Publico Award
spoke to the Texas Bar Journal about what their pro bono
efforts mean to them.
I know you are actively involved in American Gateways, a nonprofit
focused on immigration services, as an avenue to your pro bono work.
What does your work with American Gateways mean to you?
There is a tremendous need for legal services among immigrant
communities in Central Texas. As a lawyer living and working in Austin,
I wanted to help respond to this critical need. Partnering with American
Gateways has made this possible. American Gateways has not only given me
the opportunity to take on meaningful pro bono work, but also provided
invaluable training, mentorship, and community.
The work itself is both challenging and rewarding. Much of my
immigration practice is focused on the representation of trans and
gender nonconforming, or TGNC, refugees in immigration removal
proceedings. In addition to the need for legal representation among
refugees generally, trans people are particularly susceptible to
violence and discrimination, often falling entirely outside the bounds
of state protection. Thus, my practice in this space is largely a
response to the targeted violence against and criminalization of trans
immigrants, as well as their historical exclusion from mainstream
narratives and policy. Working with individual clients so that they feel
empowered to tell their own stories of violation, struggle, and
resilience within a frame that supports their claims for humanitarian
relief is incredibly rewarding and beautiful.
As a trans and nonbinary attorney, what does it mean to you to be able
to strengthen the community’s representation?
I have been open with my trans identity since I started practicing law
in 2014. And I think it’s critically important that TGNC people have a
voice in conversations and work around trans rights and justice. Because
of this, I continually seek out opportunities to address and advance
trans rights—whether that be through direct legal representation; work
with bar associations, nonprofit organizations and student groups; or
internal diversity initiatives at my firm.
You were a recipient of the ABA’s 2022 Pro Bono Publico Award after
logging hundreds of pro bono hours during the pandemic. How are you able
to manage your time handling pro bono work plus your normal
casework?
Pro bono work is simply part of my daily practice. I don’t
differentiate among pro bono work and other casework, so pro bono
doesn’t require any special time management. It also helps that my
colleagues value and support my pro bono commitments.
In your experience, what is one of the biggest misconceptions about
pro bono work?
Pro bono work can seem daunting at times, especially when it falls
outside one’s typical practice area. But both experience and subject
matter expertise can be developed by taking a pro bono case. Many legal
services organizations provide training and ongoing mentorship to pro
bono attorneys. And there are also plenty of opportunities to serve as
co-counsel alongside attorneys with subject matter expertise.
What advice would you give to a newly licensed attorney about
pro bono work?
I encourage everyone to get involved with pro bono early and often.
Start by identifying an issue or cause you’re passionate about or
connecting with an organization you support. Once you get involved,
other pro bono opportunities will find you. Also, keep in mind that pro
bono is so much more than a professional obligation. Pro bono is
critical to expanding access to justice. It also offers opportunities to
develop and hone legal skills, network with other legal professionals,
cultivate partnerships with legal services organizations, and gain
exposure to substantive aspects of the law outside the normal scope of
your practice.TBJ
