Our Volunteers of the Week are Francis Hernandez and Karely Nunez from the Palo Alto office. Francis and Karely are two of our interns from the Emerson Collective FirstGen Intern Program. During their time at the firm, they worked closely with the Community Impact, DEI, and HR teams. While at the firm, Francis gave a presentation on “Challenges in Equitable Career Advancement for Latina Attorneys,” while Karely gave a presentation on “Unseen Challenges Women of Color Face in Law Firms.” Both presentations addressed the systemic issues that face these social groups, as well as ways to address and prevent social and professional barriers among colleagues.
Here’s Francis on why pro bono is so important: Coming from a low-income background, it's important to give back the same help that I have once received. I have seen how difficult it is for underserved communities to gain access to legal services, healthcare, proper education, etc. Pro Bono is a good way to advocate for minority groups who are underrepresented, and it presents the opportunity to help those who truly need it while making an everlasting impact on an individual's life. A little help goes a long way!
Here’s Karely on why pro bono is so important: As a first-generation student and Latina, my background and community have inspired me to give back. From a young age, I volunteered in underserved Bay Area communities, assisting with various issues such as housing displacement and providing access to educating others on their legal rights and communities. The resilience, drive, and leadership I witnessed inspired me to continue to support others. Having also received support from others, I know firsthand the difference it can make in one’s life. This has fueled my passion for helping others, believing every action counts. It has been an honor to work with others to provide impactful resources and change people’s lives. I encourage everyone to get involved as it strengthens communities, and it deepens the connections with others. Together, we can uplift one another while making a meaningful difference.