South Texas College of Law Houston submitted three individuals dedicated to pro bono legal service for the inaugural Pro Bono Honor Roll, hosted by the Pro Bono and Access to Justice Section of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).
The AALS invited each law school dean to name one faculty member, one staff member, and one student for the special recognition.
“This is a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the amazing work done by members of the STCL Houston community in the area of pro bono services,” said Associate Dean for Faculty and Professor of Law Ted Field. “Our nominees are committed to using their legal minds to help their community, and we were delighted to submit their names for this honor.”
“Service” is a key part of the STCL Houston mission, and students, staff, and faculty donate hundreds of hours of legal pro bono service each year — including nearly $2 million worth through the Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics.
Here are the South Texas individuals named to the AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll.
STUDENT: TAYLORE WILLIAMS, 3L Prior to attending South Texas College of Law Houston, Taylore Willliams worked as a scientist and regulatory affairs manager in cell and gene therapy. Her goal as a future attorney is to help start-ups navigate the fundraising, corporate, legal, and regulatory landscape to ensure society has the best medicine science can create. Williams has been actively involved in the Actual Innocence Clinic within the Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics, providing roughly 120 pro bono hours. Her background in science allowed her to discover alternative ways science can be used to make sure the wrong person is not wrongfully incarcerated.
FACULTY: DR. MARK STEINER has a long-standing commitment to pro bono service. He has qualified for membership in the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas for eight consecutive years. He has volunteered at citizenship and immigration events for over 15 years. Since January 2020, Dr. Steiner has participated in 60 discrete pro bono activities, donating 167 hours. During this time, he has volunteered at 37 Houston Volunteer Lawyer Virtual Legal Advice Clinics where he advises individuals on their legal issues and 20 naturalization workshops, where he screens applicants for citizenship eligibility and reviews completed applications.
STAFF: AIMEE MALDONADO is a staff attorney in the Randy O. Sorrells Legal Clinic’s Trafficking and Asylum group at STCL Houston, Aimee gives of her time to various groups who can use her specialized legal expertise. She trains volunteer attorneys and assists with the guardianship program at Texas Children’s Hospital. She frequently travels to immigrant detention facilities in the Rio Grande Valley and has been assisting in the screening of Afghan refugees in the Houston area. Aimee has recently presented at the American Immigration Lawyers Association on advanced topics relating to asylum cases.
Every October since 2009, legal organizations across America have participated in the National Celebration of Pro Bono to draw attention to the need for pro bono participation, and to thank those who give their time year-round. Learn more about the National Celebration of Pro Bono here.
