My main pro bono contributions included counseling local non-profits on corporate governance matters as well as representing wrongfully-evicted tenants in settlement negotiations with their landlords through the Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto. While in law school, I worked on various student-led service projects, including the Startup Law Initiative, which provided incorporation and formation services to underrepresented and low-income founders in the Bay Area. 

Through my pro bono experiences, I found the importance of community outreach and connecting with the community through the law. Everyone deserves an advocate, especially those in our community who, in time of need, have no one else to turn to. At a basic level, pro bono and community outreach is about showing our community that we are there, as its faithful advocates and partners. 

If elected, I would like to expand on the excellent work of FBANC’s former Community Outreach directors. I want FBANC to continue to be viewed as a beacon in our community - an organization that advocates and shows up for those who need us most. First, I would meet with our current community partners to understand their evolving needs and determine how FBANC can best meet those. Next, I’d poll these community partners and FBANC’s members to understand which issues and causes are most pressing. Through these conversations, I would determine how best to allocate FBANC’s resources to maximize its positive impact on the community. If presented with novel issues, I would explore how FBANC can re-allocate resources to address such issues and causes.

I am excited about the prospect of joining FBANC’s board and the chance to grow my leadership skills. FBANC has been a formative part of my early legal experience - from law school to the beginning of my career; I’m excited to give back. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Will