Kathryn “Kate” G. Tavakoli, a part-time 3L student at South Texas College of Law Houston who plans to graduate in December, recently received a special commendation for her “outstanding contributions to the provision of legal services to the poor” from the Texas Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission.
She was nominated for the 2021 ATJ Law Student Pro Bono Award by Eric Kwartler, J.D., public interest attorney with the Landlord-Tenant Clinic, which is one of the 21 pro bono Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics at STCL Houston.
“While I have been fortunate to meet many students at South Texas College of Law Houston with a strong commitment to pro bono work, none have done so with the wild enthusiasm Kate brings to everything she does,” Kwartler wrote. “Let any injustice about which Kate hears beware — there is no part of herself she will not give to right the wrongs she faces.”
Called a “remarkable student” by ATJ Executive Director Patricia E. McAllister in the commendation notification letter, Tavakoli has shown remarkable dedication to providing service to low-income individuals and families during her time at STCL Houston.
From the inception of the law school’s eviction-prevention work through the clinic, Tavakoli has poured her time, knowledge and passion for helping others into ensuring underserved Houston-area residents are able to stay in their homes, despite COVID-19 and its related financial challenges.
STCL Houston — in partnership with various community organizations — has played a pivotal role since October 2020 in educating both tenants and landlords, and providing underserved Houstonians with the legal assistance and guidance needed to halt their impending evictions.
To date, the law school has helped more than 1,400 families receive assistance to remain in their homes by aiding with rental assistance applications and CDC declarations, and by representing clients in court. This translates into thousands of Harris County residents who were provided housing stability over the tumultuous past year.
Tavakoli has played an instrumental role in STCL Houston’s eviction-prevention work, including:
- Hosting three mobile drive-thru clinics in Harris County
- Hosting six walk-in clinics in hard-hit areas (including Acres Homes and Denver Harbor);
- Establishing a toll-free hotline for those who could not visit in person
She also is a student ambassador for the law school and serves as treasurer for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, STCL Houston Chapter. She also serves as treasurer of the school’s Asian Pacific American Law Student Association chapter.
Tavakoli’s volunteer work began at an early age and has influenced her decision to pursue law as a career. Following her graduation from the University of Houston, she joined the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce as a communications program manager. A lymphoma survivor herself, she later took a job as a donor recruitment coordinator for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, where she related personally with donors and effectively shared her gratitude for the life-giving contributions they provided to the nonprofit.
“Volunteerism and community engagement is in my nature because I grew up volunteering in my community. I value the relationships and experiences I gained from the community and trying to help those in need.” Tavakoli said. “Working with the Advanced Immigration and the Landlord-Tenant clinics at STCL Houston allowed me to continue doing what I love most, working directly with the community. The clinics also provided me with hands-on experience to help the underserved people in our community by providing comforting care and legal aid. I know that as an individual I may not be able to change the world, but knowing that I was able to help my community, I know to some I helped change their world. For that, I am grateful for South Texas College of Law Houston.”
After graduation, she hopes to continue working in public interest law or to practice health law — either of which will allow her to harness her unique personal experiences, passion and knowledge for the betterment of her clients.
