The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) thanks Volunteer of the Month, Audrey Courson, who has taken on eight matters with the Family Law Project since January 2016. Courson previously practiced general civil litigation, and now focuses on family law in her new practice, Law Offices of Audrey T. Courson.

Courson appreciates that JDC provides the opportunity and training to help those who would not have access to a lawyer without JDC. Her pro bono clients have been extremely appreciative, and she feels that volunteering really makes a difference in their lives. Working with JDC has given Courson exposure to a world where people have been through much hardship and struggle. In one case, Audrey assisted a mother of a six year-old child in a custody matter. The father had abandoned her during the pregnancy, forcing her to live in a shelter. Though he had never been part of the child’s life or showed interest in being a father, when the Department of Child Support Services opened a case against him for child support, the father filed for custody to lower his support payments. The mother was understandably frustrated and resentful, but Courson was able to work with her towards a resolution in the child’s best interest.

Courson plans to continue volunteering for JDC’s clients because she knows that family law attorneys are in great demand for low-income litigants. At the same time, pro bono work provides Courson with a sense of purpose and gratification, and she believes that part of being successful is social responsibility.

After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco, Audrey returned to the city in 2013 after living in New York and attending law school in Los Angeles.

JDC’s Family Law Project offers volunteer attorneys free training on substantive law, CLE credit, supervision and the opportunity to help low-income litigants. If you’d like to get involved, please contact probono@sfbar.org.