PRO BONO AT NELSON MULLINS
Q1 EDITION | APRIL 2025
STEVE GOTTLIEB, LONGTIME ATLANTA LEGAL AID DIRECTOR, JOINS NELSON MULLINS TO ENHANCE PRO BONO EFFORTS
ATLANTA – Nelson Mullins is pleased to welcome former Atlanta Legal Aid (ALAS) leader Steve Gottlieb to join the firm’s Pro Bono program. Gottlieb joins after a distinguished 50-year career with ALAS, where he served as Executive Director for 42 years before retiring in 2023.
“Steve’s unmatched legacy in legal aid aligns perfectly with our firm’s commitment to serving the public good,” said Elisa Kodish, Pro Bono Partner for Nelson Mullins.
Gottlieb, regarded nationally for leading a model legal aid program, will assist with strategic planning, project development, and helping to capture how case results translate into community impact. He will also devote some of his time to chronicling his own leadership journey.
“Steve is helping us to quantify our successes, and we are encouraging him to capture his,” said Kodish. “He’s a historian with a knack for storytelling and has lessons to teach us all about how to serve and to lead.”
“I have been fortunate to be a part of and to lead an organization which for over 100 years has brought justice to those who need it,” Gottlieb said. “Supporting Nelson Mullins’ long tradition of pro bono service is a natural continuation of that work, and I’m honored to contribute in any way I can.”
Gottlieb’s long career at ALAS began in 1968, and he became Executive Director in 1980, serving for more than four decades. Under his leadership, ALAS expanded its reach and services, helping tens of thousands of Georgians with matters ranging from housing and healthcare to family law and consumer protection.
He co-founded the Health Law Partnership, a collaboration among ALAS, Children’s Hospital and Georgia State School of Law. He also led Atlanta Legal Aid in bringing the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Olmstead v. L.C., known as the Brown v. Board of Education of disability rights, and in representing about 2000 Cuban (“Marielitos”) who came to the U.S. at the invitation of President Jimmy Carter but who were detained in the Atlanta Penitentiary Marial without due process protections. During his tenure as Executive Director, ALAS also created new programs to address particularly vulnerable populations including seniors, veterans, people with AIDS and cancer,
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IN THIS EDITION
LA Office Steps Up To Assist Foster Families — Page 3
PB Spotlight: Ariel Cavazos — Page 5
Introducing Our New Pro Bono Policy — Page 8
Clients’ Letters of Thanks — Page 9
Pictured: Pro Bono Partner Elisa Kodish with Steve Gottlieb
NELSON MULLINS’ MIAMI
OFFICE CHAMPIONS SPECIAL EDUCATION
ADVOCACY
Nelson Mullins’ Miami office is making a meaningful impact by providing pro bono assistance to children with special needs. In partnership with Legal Services of Greater Miami, the firm launched an initiative in fall 2024 to train attorneys in advocating for families who need essential educational support and accommodations.
Miami associate Sam Ludington spearheaded the effort, recognizing a critical gap in educational access. “No school district or educator is serving kids with ill intent, but Miami’s the fourth-largest school district in the country,” Sam said. “I think a lot of times, educators are just so overwhelmed and they might not have the right training to spot learning disabilities. They’ll get passed off as behavioral issues.”
There was immediate interest in the Miami office to help tackle the new pro bono caseload. More than 15 lawyers from the firm signed up for the training in November.
“We’re helping those families to say, ‘There’s something wrong,’ and the school district can get that child resources and put safeguards in place so that they get the quality education they deserve,” Sam added.
A long-term goal of the program is to take on the full spectrum of special-needs cases, including full on litigation against a district if necessary. For now, attorneys are working on demand letters sent to districts, asking for evaluation and potential accommodations based on those results.
“One of the coolest things about this, it’s opened up this conversation in the office about the personal impacts some of our attorneys have experienced, whether it’s a sibling that has special needs, or a grandchild,” Sam said. “We had a number of attorneys that signed up for the training initially just to help, and then afterward, they said it was useful information trying to help the person in their life navigate it.”
He added, “There was never a doubt in my mind that the firm would be on board, because that’s very much the core of Nelson Mullins, that we’re going to use the training and skills we have to do good.”
homeowners subject to predatory mortgage lending, and minors fleeing violence in Central America.
During his tenure as Executive Director, ALAS also created new programs to address particularly vulnerable populations including seniors, veterans, people with AIDS and cancer, homeowners subject to predatory mortgage lending, and minors fleeing violence in Central America.
Gottlieb’s contributions earned widespread recognition locally and nationally, with former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes praising Gottlieb as “one of the greatest men I have ever known.” In 2022, the Supreme Court of Georgia awarded Gottlieb its prestigious Amicus Curiae award, recognizing extraordinary contributions to public service and the legal profession.
“We are proud to have Steve join our team and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our pro bono program,” said Atlanta Office Managing Partner Michael Hollingsworth.
Gottlieb’s relationship with Nelson Mullins has been longstanding and multifaceted. The firm has been a dedicated pro bono partner, board supporter, and financial supporter of ALAS, with several Nelson Mullins partners serving as Chair of Atlanta Legal Aid’s Board of Directors. Reflecting on this enduring relationship, Kodish remarked, “20 years ago, I was a junior associate participating in a firm-sponsored fellowship with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, where I had the privilege of working under Steve’s leadership. That Steve is now in the trenches with us—it’s beyond my wildest imagination.”
COLUMBIA DUO SECURES AMENDED BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Partner Travis Dayhuff and associate Arslan Valimohamed secured another happy pro bono client in The Family Unit Inc. with their work securing an amended birth certificate. The Family Unit is a Sumter, S.C.based non-profit dedicated to improving living conditions for those in poverty.
Travis and Arslan worked to obtain a family court order and amended birth certificate for their client who was not receiving their Medicare and Social Security benefits. The amended birth certificate allowed the client to obtain proper identification from the state and put her on the path to receiving benefits.
From Front Page
Steve Gottlieb Joins Nelson Mullins
Dayhuff Valimohamed
LOS ANGELES PRO BONO WORK BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER BY SUPPORTING FOSTER CARE ADOPTIONS
The pro bono efforts of Nelson Mullins’ Los Angeles office play a vital role in finalizing foster care adoptions through a longstanding partnership with the Alliance for Children’s Rights, an organization that finalizes about a third of all foster care adoptions in Los Angeles County. This relationship plays a meaningful role in helping guide children toward a more stable future.
Through the leadership of Los Angeles partner Monee Hanna, whose work with the Alliance began before she joined Nelson Mullins in March 2022, along with the support of numerous others in the firm’s LA offices, Nelson Mullins has become one of the Alliance’s go-to partners when pro bono work is needed.
“Attorneys come in just to help finalize the process,” Hanna said. “All the home visits and groundwork has been done by the time we’re involved, and it’s not a very complicated process, but there’s always something that comes up that’s a little bit different in every case.”
Finalizing each case can take several months, so by the time firm attorneys step in to push the proceedings across the finish line, nervous children and prospective parents are finally nearing the end of their long and anxious wait.
“Those parents have sometimes been waiting years to make things official,” Hanna said. “The Alliance does a lot of great leg work to make it a seamless process for us. It’s a great partnership that we’ve got.”
Many attorneys in the firm’s LA office have also volunteered their services. Since 2022, Nelson Mullins attorneys have dedicated 768 hours of pro bono time, helping to match 46 foster children with new families.
“The Alliance is so happy that the firm has taken this on,” of counsel Amy Toboco said. “Our attorneys are finding out that it’s just a great experience, no matter where you are in your career. A handful of the cases involve Spanish speakers too, and Veronica Calinao and Sebastian Velazquez have been critical in getting those cases handled.”
According to the National Council For Adoption, the number of children adopted and those awaiting adoption across the U.S. have slowly declined over the past three years, but Los Angeles County’s seen a different trend. In 2023, there were 46% more adoptions from foster care than in 2022.
For Monee and the rest of the LA team, having the chance to contribute to such a meaningful and emotional process is its own reward.
“On the adoption days, it’s like going to the hospital to deliver a baby, you can tell the mood is completely different [than a regular day in the courtroom],” Hanna added. “It’s something the judges love doing, they’ll have these heart-to-heart conversations with a family and thank them. The kids of all ages are adorable, they’re so excited and they know what’s happening.”
NELSON MULLINS RECOGNIZED FOR ABA FREE LEGAL ANSWERS CONTRIBUTIONS
The American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service recognized Nelson Mullins as a 2024 Pro Bono Leader for outstanding pro bono contribution to ABA Free Legal Answers and the thousands of clients it serves. ABA Free Legal Answers is a free virtual legal clinic where qualified users can ask civil legal questions and receive answers from pro bono attorneys licensed in their state. Topics include family law, housing, employment, health, and more. Nelson Mullins attorneys answered 474 civil legal matter questions in Georgia, Florida, California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Maryland.
Shane Duer, Phil Cosgrove, and Cary Slobin were individually recognized as ABA Super Stars. In 2024, Shane answered 74 questions, Phil provided guidance on 134 matters, and Cary answered 56 questions for the Texas site. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Hanna Toboco
Duer
Slobin Cosgrove
NELSON MULLINS BOSTON
“WALKS TO THE HILL”
Rachael Chen, Melissa Nott Davis, Catherine Summa, Samantha Ahearn, and Malinda Reed (in our Boston office) all participated in the Equal Justice Coalition’s (“EJC”) Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid on January 23rd. Rachael Chen was a Team Captain for the event. This is an annual event that gathers private bar attorneys and law students at the Massachusetts State House to ask local legislators to increase funding for civil legal aid services. The EJC is requesting $54 million for the FY26 budget to expand services and bridge the justice gap.
NM PARTICIPATES IN EXPUNGEMENT TRAINING WITH APPLESEED LEGAL JUSTICE CENTER AND THE RAINY DAY FUND
MARQUETTA BRYAN NAMED PRO BONO PARTNERSHIP “VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR”
Atlanta partner Marquetta Bryan was named a “Volunteer of the Year” by the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta.
The PBPA held its 20th Anniversary Annual Reception, where Marquetta was recognized for work with the organization’s Legal Boot Camp for Diverse Non-Profit Leaders. Marquetta has written articles and recorded podcasts for the PBPA and taken on counsel projects related to employment law, compliance, and board governance. The award is traditionally given to corporate attorneys, making Marquetta a standout as a litigator.
Approximately 20 lawyers from Nelson Mullins, a few local attorneys, and University of South Carolina law students gathered on January 20 for a Criminal Records Relief in South Carolina CLE training.
Speakers from SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center and the Rainy Day Fund trained on reviewing records for expungement or pardon. Expunging eligible records helps to remove barriers to housing and employment. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time!
From left to right: Melissa Nott Davis, Catherine Summa, Rachael Chen, and Samantha Ahearn. Not pictured: Malinda Reed
Pictured: Marquetta Bryan with PBPA Director Rachel Spears
Pictured: Kieley Sutton (Rainy Day) Bridget Brown (Appleseed), Chris Genovese, James Burns, Jonathan Knicely, and Pro Bono Manager Norah Rogers
PRO BONO SPOTLIGHT: ARIEL CAVAZOS
Meet Ariel Cavazos, a senior associate at Nelson Mullins, specializing in cybersecurity, data privacy, and healthcare compliance. Ariel finds fulfillment in using her legal skills to support underserved individuals, helping them navigate complex challenges while advocating for meaningful change. Ariel treats pro bono matters with the same diligence as any client work, seeing them as both a professional responsibility and a privilege that strengthens her legal practice.
Why is pro bono important to you?
Pro bono work holds a special place in my heart. Pro bono is short for the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means “for the good of the public.” I believe pro bono work reflects the core mission of the legal profession - making justice accessible to everyone, not just those with the financial means. The law can be a powerful tool for change, but it feels out of reach for many individuals due to financial strain and systemic barriers. As an attorney, it is my duty and privilege to help close that gap.
Engaging in pro bono work is incredibly fulfilling for me. It reconnects me with the reasons I chose this path in the first place - to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The cases I encounter often involve individuals facing daunting challenges, and it is profoundly rewarding to be able to offer them legal support, advocacy, and a sense of empowerment.
Additionally, pro bono work enriches my experience as an attorney. It challenges me to step outside my comfort zone, introduces me to new areas of law, and allows me to connect with various communities I might not have encountered otherwise. This engagement sharpened my critical thinking skills and deepened my understanding of lawyers’ vital role in society. Pro bono is more than just a way to give back; it is essential for upholding the integrity of our legal system. Justice should be a right available to everyone, and through our pro bono efforts, we can work towards ensuring that it is accessible to all.
How has your pro bono work made you a better lawyer?
My pro bono work has enriched my journey as a lawyer, pushing me beyond my comfort zone while allowing me to grow personally and professionally. Engaging with underserved clients facing
complex legal challenges has inspired me to think creatively and advocate with compassion, often in situations where resources are limited. This experience has not only strengthened my ability to simplify legal concepts and offer practical solutions but also deepened my empathy for individuals navigating significant hardships.
Through my pro bono efforts, I have encountered areas of law and industries that I might not have otherwise explored, expanding my understanding of various legal landscapes. It has also given me the privilege of connecting with individuals from different backgrounds, including clients, attorneys from other specialties, and professionals from nonprofit organizations. These interactions have opened my eyes to how the law impacts lives and enriched my perspective on legal issues.
How do you balance your pro bono commitments with your regular workload and client obligations?
Balancing my pro bono commitments with my regular workload requires time management, clear prioritization, and understanding my professional responsibilities. I approach this balance by treating pro bono matters with the same diligence and professionalism as my other client work, ensuring I meet deadlines, manage expectations, and allocate my time efficiently.
I am intentional about integrating pro bono work into my schedule in a way that complements, rather than disrupts, my existing commitments. This often involves selecting cases that align with my skills and availability, leveraging firm resources such as mentorship and co-counsel opportunities, and maintaining open communication with my team regarding my workload.
In addition to time management, I see pro bono work not as an additional obligation but a valuable opportunity for professional development that enriches my legal practice. Allocating time for pro bono service is not just about squeezing in extra hours during the day; it is about dedicating myself to the larger objectives of the legal profession.
NELSON MULLINS WINS AVLF CUP FOUR YEARS RUNNING
FOR UNMATCHED PRO BONO AND PHILANTHROPIC COMMITMENT
We are delighted to announce that Nelson Mullins has once again earned the AVLF Cup, marking our fourth consecutive win for our unmatched commitment to pro bono legal service and philanthropy. This prestigious recognition honors the firm’s leadership, as we top all participants – including all law firms, accounting firms, and corporations in the Atlanta area -- for total volunteer hours and individual financial contributions.
Many Nelson Mullins attorneys have been actively involved with AVLF, either as volunteers or board members serving as strong pro bono advocates in the Atlanta office. Collectively, the Atlanta office has raised on the order of $500,000 for the organization over the last ten years. The Atlanta office has worked together to secure vital funding and foster a firm-wide culture that deeply values community service and access to justice.
In 2024 alone, Nelson Mullins attorneys contributed $50,000 in donations, in addition to the Atlanta office’s robust pro bono efforts. Nelson Mullins’ meaningful contributions support AVLF’s work in providing free legal assistance to low-income Atlantans in critical areas, including landlord-tenant disputes to prevent wrongful evictions and advocating for safe housing, family violence cases, and securing protective orders and safety plans for survivors.
We are deeply grateful to every attorney and staff member who has given their time, talent, legal expertise, and generosity to this important community partner.
Pictured: Cayton Chrisman and Angela Tagliapietra
NELSON MULLINS VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE CRITICAL PRO BONO SERVICES THROUGH FAMILY PREPAREDNESS POWER OF ATTORNEY CLINICS ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA
Nelson Mullins volunteers are playing a vital role in safeguarding the well-being and security of children whose parents may face sudden separation from their families. Through a series of Family Preparedness Power of Attorney Clinics, firm volunteers are providing essential legal services to help immigrant families make critical arrangements for their children’s care in the event a parent is no longer able to remain in the country with them.
Without these legal protections, many children could be left
Charleston
without a guardian authorized to manage their education, healthcare, or daily needs. The clinics help prevent this by preparing powers of attorney that grant trusted individuals the authority to act on the child’s behalf—whether enrolling them in school, accessing financial resources, or consenting to medical treatment.
By offering this vital pro bono service, Nelson Mullins volunteers are helping to provide families with a crucial lifeline during times of profound uncertainty.
In collaboration with Charleston Legal Access and Catholic Charities, Charleston office volunteers assisted 31 families on March 13, 2025.
Spartanburg
On April 2, 2025, in collaboration with nonprofit partner Vida Y Salud, attorneys and staff from the Greenville Office teamed up with the Spartanburg Public Defenders office to help 20 families.
From left to right: Heather Feliccia, Bryson Geer, Mary Geer Kirkland, Sydney Hamer, Grace Hamill, Mike Lynch, Lauren Lynch
Greenville
Greenville attorneys and staff provided support to Hispanic Alliance on February 20, 2025, and assisted 35 clients.
In the photo left to right: Robert Lindsay, Jeff Newman, Mayme Medlock, Sonia Rios, Meg Thrasher, Norah Rogers, Elisa Kodish, AJ Marsh, Brad Ruston, Stephen Sutherland. Not pictured: Neil Grayson, John Aluri
Pictured: Pro Bono Manager Norah Rogers alongside organizers for Vida Y Salud, nonprofit partner focused on holistically supporting the needs of Latino families.
Pictured: Sydney Hamer and Bryson Gear
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES: NELSON
MULLINS PARTNERS WITH PRO BONO PARTNERSHIP OF NEW YORK TO SUPPORT NONPROFITS
ACROSS THE TRI-STATE AREA
In 2024, Nelson Mullins continued its strong commitment to supporting nonprofits through a meaningful collaboration with the Pro Bono Partnership of New York (“the Partnership”). The Partnership provides free business legal assistance to nonprofits that serve low-income communities across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, leveraging a network of dedicated volunteer attorneys.
Together, Nelson Mullins attorneys supported approximately 20 nonprofit organizations, advising on a broad range of legal matters including corporate governance, compliance, contract negotiation, and risk management. The Partnership’s nonprofit clients primarily serve individuals in economically disadvantaged communities and focus on areas such as health and human services, education, the arts, animal welfare, and more. By providing this critical legal guidance, our attorneys helped empower these organizations to operate more effectively and respond more nimbly to community needs.
The Partnership expressed its appreciation, stating: “We are grateful for Nelson Mullins’ commitment to giving back and helping the Partnership build capacity for nonprofits in our communities…. Our work together has had tremendous impact on our communities, helping thousands of our neighbors.”
The following attorneys provided essential counsel to ensure nonprofits are well-positioned to thrive and continue delivering vital services:
• Oscar Basantes
• Mitch Boyarsky
• Franklin Chou
• Elyse Cohen
• Lisa Herbert
• Frances Kim-Chriscoe
• Rebecca Lester
• Nicole Phe
• Kevin Polansky
• Caio Prado
• Alexander Raytman
• Brennor Ribeiro
• Adam Sussman
Nelson Mullins is proud to stand with the Partnership supporting nonprofits and the communities they serve.
COLUMBIA ATTORNEYS ASSIST WITH EXPUNGEMENT AND PARDONS IN LAWYERS 4 VETS CLINIC
On February 7, 2025, Columbia attorneys and USC law students participated in a Lawyers 4 Vets clinic in conjunction with the nonprofit partner Rainy Day Fund. Attorneys reviewed criminal records for recommendation for expungement or pardon for approximately 25 veterans.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ADOPTS NEW PRO BONO POLICY
New this year, the Pro Bono Program has rolled out a revised Pro Bono Policy following a rewrite process by the Pro Bono Committee and Executive Committee approval. Here’s what you need to know:
• The firm strongly expects for attorneys to perform at least 20 hours of pro bono service annually toward the ABA goal of 50+ hours or more.
• 50 hours will be considered a positive factor in annual evaluations.
• The firm expects 100% participation in the pro bono program across the firm.
• Additional approvals are required for pro bono matters exceeding 200 hours.
• As always, each pro bono hour counts toward your billable hour and collections goal with collection credit given at 90% of your goal rate.
Pictured: Sally Caver, Alicia Forehand, and Margo Mullins
Pictured: Nick Quatraro
WORDS OF THANKS FROM OUR CLIENTS
SUPPORTING CLIENTS FROM ACT IN DALLAS
A team of Nelson Mullins attorneys partnered with Dallas-based legal services organization, Advocates for Community Transformation (ACT), to address persistent criminal activity tied to a nuisance property in a Dallas neighborhood. The team conducted legal research, gathered evidence, and helped file a civil action that resulted in a court-ordered injunction requiring the property owner to take corrective action—strengthening the community’s safety and restoring peace for local residents. Here’s what their client said about the effects in her neighborhood:
“I attended a community meeting this past Thursday where Mrs. Harrison was present. She was delighted to share that her grandchildren were playing outside for the first time in as long as she could remember. While some neighbors mentioned that drug houses would temporarily disappear during busts only to reappear hours later, Mrs. Harrison proudly explained that she used to feel that way—until she met us. She shared, the drug houses on both sides of the duplex across the street are now empty and boarded up, and [now] her grandchildren can safely play beyond just the backyard.
Thank you for your hard work in making these changes possible!”
-Myesha Daniels-Hill Act Community Advocate
SUPPORTING CLIENTS FROM NYPACE PARTNERSHIP
Guido Meirovich Assists Flex-n-Fly 501c-3 Registration
New York Associate Guido Meirovich provided vital legal guidance to help a nonprofit organization navigate the process of obtaining 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status, laying the foundation for its long-term impact in the community. Here’s what the client said:
“Thank you so much for everything Guido. I really appreciate you and the team. I know I’m always on top of you guys but I just wanted to take the time to say thank you. I really appreciate you all.”
-Youmie Jean Francois Founder & CEO, FlexnFly
John McElwaine Assists with Pro Bono Trademark Infringement
Charleston Partner and Office Managing Partner John McElwaine provided critical legal support in a pro bono trademark infringement matter, helping a nonprofit protect its brand and preserve the integrity of its mission. Here’s what John’s client said about his guidance:
“Not only did John put me at ease and identify a path forward …. following his tips resulted in th[e] … seller sending me their remaining stock [after being] warned about infringement….” I didn’t think there was anything my little business could do about this …. but apparently there are things that can be done. There is no way I would have been able to afford this assistance at this point on my journey and I am beyond grateful.”
-Maechi Aharanwa Owner/Chief Creative, PinMe 1913
Meirovich
Slobin
Jung Sparks Reynolds
McElwaine