2011 Pro Bono Honors Program
Pro Bono Student of the Year
Xi Yang
“Being a public interest lawyer is so rewarding in itself that indeed no money or
material gain can ever bring. I feel happy and fulfilled every time I help a client.
I believe as a profession, lawyers should help ensure that all people have access
to legal services and more importantly, the justice system. I understand it is not
an easy task; nonetheless, I will endeavor to be the difference I want to see in
the world."
-Xi Yang, Class of 2011: Home Foreclosure Legal Aid Project; Earthjustice; WA Attorney
General’s Office
2L Pro Bono Honors Award
Rachel Mathisen
“In the fall I heard about the opportunity to participate in the International Human
Rights Project (IHRP) [a joint project of the Center for Human Rights & Justice
and Law Students for Reproductive Justice]. I worked with a group of three 1Ls drafting
a shadow letter on behalf of the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) to the UN
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) regarding the
status of women in Nepal. As “team leader” I was forced to really break down how
to engage in research to be able to share sources and ideas for the rest of the
team. This proved invaluable for my own writing. The CRR has completed their initial
edits of our draft and we are currently in the first stage of revisions. Our work,
supervised by the CRR, will be submitted on their behalf to the UN CEDAW come July
for the Committee’s review of Nepal’s treatment of women.”
“It has been gratifying to work with students who are passionate about various issues/programs
and willing to put in the work to organize various events under the umbrella of
these student organizations.”
-Rachel Mathisen, Class of 2012: UW International Human Rights Shadow Letter Project;
West Coast Legal Education & Action Fund (LEAF); UW Immigrant Families Advocacy
Project (IFAP); UW Center for Human Rights & Justice; UW Jewish Law Students
Association
1L Pro Bono Honors Award
Janice Phaik Lin Goh
“Volunteering at Legal Voice and with IFAP [Immigrant Families Advocacy Project]
has been very rewarding experiences for me. IFAP allowed for extensive client interaction,
along with transcribing and translating our clients’ experiences into a legal context
to allow her to seek legal remedy as a victim of domestic violence. I was able to
apply the skills and training I had from working at an immigration law firm toward
helping our client apply for her U-Visa petition. Volunteering at Legal Voice on
the other hand involves directing callers to legal services, and educating callers
about their legal rights. Through both experiences, I better appreciate the opportunity
to serve as a resource in helping individuals find recourse and remedy through legal
avenues.”
“I believe that while it is useful to be able to be of service to those in need,
it is also just as important to promote an awareness and understanding of legal
rights and issues as a means of empowerment. I am glad to have the opportunity to
volunteer and work towards my aspirations of becoming an advocate for advancing
legal rights.”
-Janice Phaik Lin Goh, Class of 2013: Legal Voice; UW Immigrant Families Advocacy
Project
Pro Bono Certificate of Recognition
Ada Ko Wong
Alec Paxton
Alice V. Jones
Allison A. Sherrill
Amy E. Bernard
Buddy Rutzke
Camille Qin-Yi Zhou
Celia M. Smalls
Courtney M. Skiles
Elizabeth Bokan
Elliott S. Wilson
Emily Jarchow
Fallon Schumsky
Heather Hightower
Hilary Hammell
Hollis-Anthony Ramsey
Janet L. Gwilym
Jennifer Howard
Jesse Woo
Joanna Grace Sylwester
Johanna Gusman
John Grant Rafter
Kristin M. Ladd
Lauren Guicheteau
Lauren McElroy
Leo Flor
Maria Manza
MariRuth Petzing
Marta Darby
Matthew R. Berry
Miriam Gordon
Rebecca Reingold
Renata Robertson
Sarah C. Lippek
Stephanie Curry
Trisna Tanus
Vanessa Hunsberger