Casey Williams is a litigation associate with Donahue Fitzgerald LLP, with a focus on employment and business matters. She also assists nonprofit organizations with corporation formation, tax-exemption applications, and governance issues. A graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law, Casey is an active member of the ACBA Barristers Section Executive Committee.
Casey is being recognized as a 2014 VLSC Volunteer of the Year for her tireless commitment to both the Low-Income Landlord Eviction Assistance Clinic and the Immigration Clinic. She has taken on a leadership role at both clinics, serving as a supervising volunteer attorney at the Landlord Clinic and helping to coordinate the volunteers at the Immigration Clinic. What’s remarkable about Casey is that her pro bono work is not in her primary practice areas. We admire that she went above and beyond to help others, learning a new area of law in the process!
Why do you volunteer with VLSC?
Volunteering with VLSC gets me out from behind my desk and working with great clients and lawyers. At VLSC clinics, I learn a lot about the law and our local court systems. The clinics are fast paced varied environments, forcing me to think on my feet and come up with creative solutions. Volunteering with VLSC makes me a better attorney and gives me an opportunity to be involved in my community.
Do you have a particularly memorable VLSC client or pro bono case?
At the Low Income Landlord Clinic, we often tell landlords that they need to start over in the unlawful detainer process because of problems with the notices or complaints. It is always a memorable and happy moment when one of those clients returns, having started from scratch at the VLSC clinic, to show us that he or she obtained a stipulated judgment or writ of possession. It is rewarding and memorable to see that the volunteers at the VLSC clinic have helped a pro se litigant navigate his or her way through the often foreign and intimidating ligation process.
What other community activities are you involved in?
I am active in the ACBA’s Barristers Section, which puts on socials and MCLEs for attorney’s in their first ten years of practice. It’s a fantastic section that puts on great events such as Dine with a Judge and the Barrister’s Mentorship Program. Through the Barristers Section, I’ve meet great people in the same place in their careers as I am and it’s provided a great introduction to the Alameda County legal community. I encourage anyone in their first ten years of practice to check us out and we are always looking for more seasoned attorneys to give back by participating in our mentorship program and annual golf tournament.
What are you listening to on your iPod now?
Oh gosh, this is embarrassing – my morning shuffle right now is Rihanna, Robyn, and little a Kelly Clarkson. For the ride home, I switch it over to the indie shuffle, with Tim Burgess, the Mountain Goats, and First Aid Kit.
What is one thing that you wished our people knew about VLSC?
Not only does VLSC provide indispensable pro bono legal services to the community; VLSC also offers fantastic opportunities for new attorneys to enhance their skills and learn about the local court system. In addition to giving to VLSC to support VLSC’s vital programs, I encourage seasoned attorneys to work with new attorneys to support their participation in VLSC.
Keep an eye out for profiles on our other 2014 award recipients, Pamela Ross, Jr. and Presiding Judge Winifred Smith!
Please join us as we celebrate Casey’s good work at the 10th Annual Justice for All: Celebrating Pro Bono event on May 21, 2015 at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in Jack London Square. Buy your tickets today!