In Barbie Land, every day is the best day ever. In Hanson Bridgett Land, “Every Day is Pro Bono Day!” Such was the Barbie-inspired theme for last week’s Pro Bono Week, which ran from October 23-27. Festivities included announcing our annual Pro Bono Award winners, a silent auction with fantastic prizes, and lively receptions at our LA and San Francisco offices.

Most of all, Pro Bono Week is a fun and creative way to raise much-needed funds for our nonprofit partner organizations while getting inspired about the important pro bono legal services offered year-round by Hanson Bridgett attorneys and legal professionals. This year, the firm raised more than $35,000 for our partner organizations through our annual silent auction and pledge drive.

“Pro Bono Week is an opportunity for us to celebrate those who led the charge on making this impactful work part of our everyday legal practice,” said partner Samir Abdelnour, Director of Pro Bono and Social Impact. “And, we threw a party where folks could get together and dress up (Barbie theme encouraged!), play trivia, and generally celebrate our collective commitment to using our legal skills to help those in need. It was quite a week!”

And the winners are…

2023 Most Impact Pro Bono Project: Opening Doors, Inc. – Afghan Refugee Clinics

Together with Opening Doors, Inc. in Sacramento, Hanson Bridgett attorneys staffed three different immigration clinics to help Afghan refugees apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for different forms of immigration relief. In all, Hanson Bridgett attorneys helped 12 Afghan refugee families and submitted a total of 34 applications to USCIS!

2023 Pro Bono Champions: Nancy Newman, Patrick Burns, and Sara Wright

Advocate of the Year: Kendall Fisher-Wu

Pro Bono Week isn’t solely about celebrating our impact throughout the past year – it’s about looking ahead and committing to continue the charitable work and pro bono initiatives: pledge forms were sent to all firm employees and partners, and a firmwide goal of 8,000 total pro bono hours was set for 2023-2024.

Hanson Bridgett has been a long time participant in National Pro Bono Week, which started as a local promotion from the Chicago Bar Association in 2005. In 2009, the American Bar Association designated National Pro Bono Week. For the past 15 years, legal organizations across America have participated in this annual celebration.

Thank you to all of our Legal Barbies and Kens that contributed to make this year’s Pro Bono Week a success!