We are thrilled to announce that AmLaw 200 law firm Benesch has joined the Paladin network to scale its pro bono program. In addition, the firm will be the first to co-design a pro bono-focused attorney development program with Paladin’s team. The collaboration will provide attorneys with easy access to professional development opportunities in the community, and firm leadership will be able to track the skills developed by their lawyers in one central location.
“Benesch has a long history of dedication to the community through our pro bono efforts, and we are excited for this opportunity to further that commitment while our attorneys – already some of the best and brightest in the industry – take their skills to the next level through this new partnership,” said Benesch Managing Partner Gregg Eisenberg.
Benesch has a strong commitment to community impact, and its partnership with Paladin will allow attorneys to more easily find ways to volunteer through a centralized database and curated weekly digests. The partnership will also free up their pro bono leadership to focus on new initiatives and build relationships with legal services organizations. Thus far, Benesch attorneys have signed up to assist with veterans’ benefits, help small businesses in Columbus, represent low-income parents in court, and serve domestic violence survivors, among others.
“We are thrilled to have Benesch join the Paladin network. The firm’s fast paced growth as well as their focus on driving attorney development through pro bono make for a perfect combination to drive material impact in their communities,” noted Paladin Co-Founder and CEO Kristen Sonday.
Through the product co-development, Benesch is helping shape 14 specific skills that attorneys can acquire through pro bono cases, including ‘negotiation,’ ‘client communication’ and ‘courtroom experience.’
Kristen Sonday
Kristen is the Co-Founder and CEO at Paladin. As a first generation-college Princeton graduate, Kristen first witnessed how complicated our judicial system is to navigate while at the U.S. Department of Justice conducting international criminal work in Mexico and Central America. As one of the few Latinos on the team, she saw the immense value of having an advocate with you throughout the legal process, which inspired her to want to build something to increase access for those in diverse communities. After DOJ, she joined the Founding Team of YC-backed Grouper, where she learned how to build a startup from the ground up. In addition to Paladin, Kristen Co-Chairs the Legal Services Corporation’s Emerging Leaders Council and is a partner at LongJump, investing in overlooked founders in the Chicago area.
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