Lexi, we’re thrilled to have you on board!
Tell us about your background.
I started my legal career working for a solo practitioner filing consumer bankruptcies where I learned how impactful it can be for people in need to receive assistance navigating our legal system. I really enjoyed that aspect of the work and in my next role at a large corporate firm I then sought involvement in their pro bono program. It was incredibly rewarding to assist with pro bono matters in all different areas of law and to celebrate victorious outcomes. After learning the many ways legal professionals can support people in their community and beyond I knew I wanted to have a bigger part in pro bono. This led to joining the pro bono department of an intellectual property firm, where I focused entirely on facilitating their program and encouraging involvement. As a dedicated pro bono professional I gained an understanding of the importance in building a successful pro bono program and which factors aid the continuance of that success. I am very excited to use my experiences to champion pro bono for others!
What drew you to Paladin?
I am passionate about pro bono and love that Paladin utilizes technology to simplify facilitating this important work. The platform provides solutions for people to better help other people, which is rewarding for me to be a part of!
Why is access to justice important to you?
I have witnessed the incredible sense of relief people feel when their legal matters are resolved after receiving pro bono assistance. This relief allows people to live healthier, happier and more productive lives which ultimately benefits everyone.
Desert island: one album, one book, one movie.
Album: Taylor Swift’s Reputation
Book: Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist
Movie: 500 Days of Summer
Which GIF best represents how you feel about building justice
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.
More from Kristen
