Pursuing Justice Podcast Episode 34: Pro bono stories can be compelling, informative, and persuasive, but they can also carry risks for clients. In this episode, Maricarmen Garza of Tahirih Justice Center and Erin Kinsella of Practising Law Institute speak with Alicia Aiken about how the principles of ethical storytelling can help protect pro bono clients and shape better narratives.
Related Links:
Voice of Witness – a nonprofit focused on collecting oral histories:
https://voiceofwitness.org/ethical-storytelling-principles/
Ethical Storytelling – nonprofit and comms experts: https://ethicalstorytelling.com/
Peace Corps – ethical storytelling workbook and video:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/returned-volunteers/share-your-experience/
This podcast provides a behind-the-scenes exploration of pro bono and public interest legal work. These heartening stories are told from both clients’ and lawyers’ perspectives to showcase intimate portraits of lawyers helping those with limited access to justice.
Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.
FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE
Maricarmen Garza
Maricarmen Garza is the Chief of Programs for the Tahirih Justice Center, a national, multi-city organization providing a broad range of direct legal services, policy advocacy, and training and education to protect individuals fleeing gender-based violence.
Before Tahirih, she worked at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for 21 yrs. managing the Legal Alliance for Survivors of Abuse, a unique collaboration between TRLA and domestic violence and sexual assault programs in 68 Texas counties. Through the LASA Project, Maricarmen ensured that clients received holistic, trauma-informed, and victim centered legal and social services critical to breaking the cycle of violence.
Maricarmen chairs the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence and serves on the board of the state’s domestic violence coalition, the Texas Council on Family Violence.
Erin Kinsella
Erin Kinsella is the Director of Communications at Practising Law Institute (PLI) in New York. She joined PLI after more than a decade managing communications at Am Law 100 firms, where she developed a passion for sharing stories about attorneys’ pro bono work and championing their involvement in pro bono. Among her communications responsibilities at PLI, she helps to support the organization’s pro bono mission, advising on the Pursuing Justice podcast and working on campaigns to inform the public about PLI’s pro bono commitment and resources. She earned an M.A. from the University of North Carolina and a B.A. from the University of Washington.
