The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) advances equality to low-income communities in San Francisco, an effort that is made possible with our devoted volunteers’ selfless contribution of time. This month we are recognizing Kayla Patterson, a volunteer with the Legal Advice and Referral Clinics (LARC). Patterson is currently an Associate at the Fragomen, Del Rey, Bersen & Loewy Silicon Valley office.

Fragomen is devoted to giving back to local communities, a commitment that is deeply rooted in the belief that all individuals should have access to competent legal counsel. As part of that commitment, Fragomen shares volunteer opportunities with local organizations to legal staff members. It’s here that Patterson first learned of the abundance of JDC’s volunteer opportunities.

Patterson’s current area of practice is business immigration law. Prior to joining Fragomen, she spent four years working at a non-profit organization that provides direct legal services to low-income immigrants, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, young dreamers, and displaced families.

After participating in JDC’s LARC, Patterson noted that it is incredible to see how much trust individuals in vulnerable situations place in attorneys.

“For immigration in particular, many of my consults are with people who recently arrived in the United States after fleeing traumatic circumstances in their home country,” she said. “Unfortunately, our laws require applicants to relive this trauma, even if it means retelling your past trauma in detail to complete strangers. Throughout all my consults, every individual has trusted me with their story, and although I cannot imagine how difficult that is for them, I appreciate their willingness to share their story with me.”

The most rewarding part of Patterson’s career comes as no surprise: her ability to impact the trajectory of someone’s life. “My volunteer experiences have been providing legal advice that, no matter how small, helps someone navigate the immigration process,” she expressed. Conversely, the most challenging aspect has been limiting her advice to consultations. There have been many instances where Patterson connects with an individual’s story and wants to provide them with more help, and it can be challenging to step away at the end of the consultation.

Patterson urged fellow BASF members to give volunteer opportunities a try if they haven’t already. “Take any opportunity you have to volunteer with BASF. Every volunteer opportunity I have participated in with JDC has been well-organized and incredibly rewarding,” she said. “BASF provides materials to its volunteers so they are prepared, and staff members are always available to provide volunteers with support if a question arises while you are volunteering. In particular, JDC has monthly clinics that provide pro bono consults in varied practice areas, so there are a lot of opportunities to give back to community members in need!”

If you’re interested in putting your skills and expertise to help JDC clients navigate challenging cases, contact probono@sfbar.org.