Legal Services Advisory Council

Meet Paladin's Legal Services Advisory Council Members represent organizations nationwide, including California, Georgia, New York, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, and Washington, DC.

The Legal Services Advisory Council is made up of legal services professionals who share the mission of expanding access to justice by empowering legal teams to do more pro bono, more efficiently. The Advisory Council advises Paladin on product innovation, develops best practices, shares thought leadership, and represents Paladin to the legal service community.

The Advisory Council dives into topics such as relationship-building with law firms, best practices for volunteer recruitment, and how to leverage technology for pro bono programs. By reaching across Paladin’s network of legal services organizations, law firms, corporate in-house teams, and state bar associations, the Advisory Council gathers feedback, shares insights, and reflects emerging ideas to the pro bono community.

We are grateful for the partnership of these exceptional professionals.

Legal Services Advisory Council Our Members

Jessie Campbell, Supervising Attorney at Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) “LSLA and I are excited and honored to be part of the inaugural Advisory Council for Paladin. Technology is such a vital tool in facilitating pro bono engagement, particularly when trying to scale a program. But there is some understandable hesitation that the technology can impact the relationships or even create barriers between the legal services organizations and the volunteers. My goal in serving in this advisory capacity on the Council is to support the development of the tech, but also to represent and advise how tech is not a barrier to good relationships, but in fact can enhance and grow them by providing good communication and efficient workflow. I thank Paladin for this opportunity.”

Jessie G. Campbell is the Supervising Attorney for Compliance and Private Attorney Involvement (Pro Bono) with Lone Star Legal Aid. She joined Lone Star Legal Aid in December 2019 as the Managing Attorney for the Pro Bono Office. Prior to joining Lone Star Legal Aid, Jessie was with Houston Volunteer Lawyers as the Pro Bono & Outreach Director and Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Director. Due to her pro bono management experience, Jessie has presented at the Texas’ Pro Bono Coordinators Retreat and Poverty Law Conference, Texas Minority Attorney Program (TMAP), and the Equal Justice Conference, as well as numerous CLEs to local, state, and national audiences on cultural competency including racial equity in representing low-income client, pro bono disaster response, and substantive legal topics in estate planning and federal income tax. She was also previously a Managing Editor with O’Connor’s, formerly Jones McClure Publishing. She earned her J.D. and M.A. in East European and Russian Studies from the University of Texas in Austin, and her B.A. in History from Tufts University. In her spare time, she enjoys cross-stitching, quilting, and spending time with her husband and two furbabies, Jordan and Peggy.

Angus Derbyshire, Director for Pro Bono at Maryland Legal Aid "Pro bono legal assistance plays a pivotal role in expanding meaningful access to justice for underserved communities. I am enthusiastic about collaborating with Paladin to explore innovative avenues for enhancing volunteer opportunities and providing enhanced support to private attorneys as they seamlessly integrate pro bono legal assistance into their annual routines.”

Angus Derbyshire started with Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) as a University of Baltimore School of Law Fellow in 2013. Upon graduation, he joined MLA’s Baltimore County office as a staff attorney where he spent five years providing direct legal services to low income clients. In October, 2019, Angus was named Pro Bono Coordinator for MLA. Over the past year-and-a-half he has taken MLA’s Pro Bono Program to new heights, creating and implementing new initiatives to recruit pro bono attorneys and help them manage their cases. Due, in large part, to his efforts, MLA’s Pro Bono Program not only survived during the COVID-19 crisis, but actually flourished in terms of numbers of pro bono attorneys and breadth of programming. In July of 2021, Angus was named the Assistant Director of Pro Bono for MLA where he continues to foster important relationships throughout the state, enabling the Pro Bono Program to develop new corporate and county bar association partnerships as well as successful virtual and in person clinics for current and prospective clients.

Sara Gormley, Program Manager for Refugee Representation at Human Rights First “Our pro bono model is essential to meeting the needs of our clients seeking asylum. Through Paladin’s Legal Advisory Council, we look forward to working with partners to collaborate, innovate, and more effectively use the Paladin platform to connect with dedicated pro bono lawyers. Through this, we aim to leverage technology to expand our capacity for providing the highest quality legal representation to indigent individuals and families seeking asylum.”

Sara Gormley is a Program Manager supporting the operation of the Refugee Representation team at Human Rights First. In this role, Sara oversees the logistics of the team with a goal of driving efficiency, streamlining workflows, and optimizing the use of technical platforms in order to reach as many clients as possible. During her time with Human Rights First, Sara has overseen numerous integration projects across digital platforms as a way to strategically achieve organization goals. Sara joined Human Rights First with seven years of experience in logistics and project management, most recently as a senior associate at UNICEF USA overseeing the execution of fundraising strategies and database management. Sara also volunteered with HIAS, where she worked with immigrant detainees. Previously, Sara worked for the United Nations Secretariat in New York, managing operations for the UN General Assembly meetings. She received her B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from Northeastern University, and her MSc in International Development from the University of Edinburgh. Sara has spent many years of her professional and academic career living outside of the United States, where she studied French, Spanish, and Arabic. She is currently based in Washington, D.C.

Carrie Holmes, Executive Director at the Center for Access to QDROs “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Advisory Council helping to bring the legal services community’s voice to Paladin’s development. Paladin makes it easy for attorneys to volunteer for causes, clients, and projects in need of their time and expertise, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together!”

Carrie Holmes is the Co-Executive Director of the Center for Access to QDROs, where she works to ensure that low-income family law litigants actually receive the retirement benefits to which they are entitled - safeguarding an income that will allow them to live their older years with dignity. Previously, she was the Pro Bono Manager and Supervising Attorney at San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and the Pro Bono Director at the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. She began her career in private practice family law in Beverly Hills. She was the co-chair of the Family Law Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association and co-chaired the Membership Development Committee of the Lawyers Club of San Diego. Currently, she co-chairs Lawyers Club’s Red, White, and Brew Committee. Carrie is a “double Bruin,” having received both her undergraduate and law degrees at UCLA.

Sara Jamison, Director of Volunteer Engagement & Strategic Partnerships at DCVLP “I am thrilled to represent DC Volunteer Lawyers Project on Paladin’s Advisory Council and look forward to the many ways this initiative will support making justice accessible through the intersection of pro bono and technology. Our organization has benefited greatly from the pro bono network we have access to through Paladin’s innovative platform. As an inaugural member, I hope to partner with my colleagues on the Advisory Council in heightening awareness about Paladin’s capabilities and furthering their overall mission of connecting those in need with attorneys who can help them.”

Sara Jamison oversees DCVLP’s volunteer engagement and strategic partnerships, serving as the initial point of contact for new volunteer lawyers, law firms, and community partners. Sara actively works with the Executive Director to organize and coordinate programs designed to enrich volunteer experience at DCVLP. Sara also partners with the Development team in implementing DCVLP’s comprehensive fundraising program. Her background is in educational advancement, having most recently served as the Annual Giving Manager at Connelly School of the Holy Child. Sara currently serves on the Board of Directors at Mary of Nazareth Catholic School. She has a B.A. in Mass Communication and Spanish (Cum Laude) from the University of Delaware; an M.A. in Spanish Language and Literature (Honors) from the University of Delaware; and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Maryland.

Collin Mickle, Managing Attorney at Tahirih Justice Center, Atlanta “Paladin is already an invaluable tool for building and managing our relationships with our pro-bono partners. It’s exciting to have this opportunity to contribute to Paladin’s future and make an even better resource and community.”

Collin Mickle is the Managing Attorney of the Tahirih Justice Center’s office in Atlanta. Tahirih provides free, confidential, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive legal representation and social services for immigrant survivors fleeing gender-based violence. Collin joined Tahirih’s Atlanta office in 2022. Prior to joining Tahirih, Collin worked in private practice in Massachusetts and served as the Coordinator of the Immigration Resource Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts, providing free immigration legal services to individuals on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Collin grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law.

Jennifer Monthie, Legal Director at Disability Rights New York “I feel privileged and honored to have been asked to be a part of this initiative. Paladin has been an exceptional resource for DRNY. The process is quick and efficient, as we can promptly post our needs and receive responses. We have made connections easily, saving us both resources and time. These connections are crucial to our work, and I am happy to be a part of expanding this resource to others. I hope to contribute my expertise to ensure this resource is accessible to anyone who needs it.”

Jennifer Monthie is Disability Rights New York’s (DRNY) Legal Director. She began her legal career as a staff attorney at Disability Advocates, Inc., and prior to serving as Legal Director, she was the statewide director of four of DRNY’s federal protection and advocacy programs. Jennifer focuses her practice on civil rights and disability law. She litigates against discriminatory policies, to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. This includes challenging the unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities, restrictive guardianship, denial of education and public services, and inaccessible buildings, community spaces, and businesses. As Legal Director, Jennifer oversees DRNY’s robust legal advocacy programs. Through federal and state mandates, she leads a staff of nearly 50 lawyers and non-lawyer advocates who protect and advocate for people with disabilities across New York State. This work involves investigating abuse and neglect, monitoring service providers, community outreach and education, and individual legal advocacy, and law reform litigation. Jennifer is a frequent lecturer to attorneys and other professionals on issues affecting individuals with disabilities. She has also authored several publications specific to the work of disability rights.

Maggie Niebler-Brown, Director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project at Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. “I am excited to participate in the Paladin Advisory Council. It has been a wonderful experience collaborating with pro bono professionals throughout the country to support innovative ways to reach volunteer attorneys.”

Maggie Niebler-Brown joined Legal Action of Wisconsin in 2014 as the Coordinator of the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP). She manages and oversees the pro bono program throughout Legal Action’s 39 county service area. This includes recruiting, training and providing technical support for volunteer attorneys. Since 2016, Legal Action has received two Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants from the Legal Service Corporation, which funds civil legal aid projects that support new, robust pro bono partnerships through collaboration, innovation, and replication of effective practices. This funding launched the two largest pro bono projects at Legal Action, the Eviction Defense Project, and the Student Legal Aid Project. These projects focus pro bono resources on two of Legal Action’s civil legal aid priorities, housing stability and eliminating barriers to education and employment. Maggie graduated from Rutgers University School of Law - Camden. After law school, she received an Independence Fellowship to work at the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society of Pennsylvania (HIAS PA) representing immigrant survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and violent crime. She later developed HIAS PA’s Youth Advocacy Project where her practice focused on representing unaccompanied immigrant children.

Melissa O. Picciola, Director of Pro Bono & Community Partnerships at Legal Aid Chicago “Making it easier for attorneys to find meaningful pro bono opportunities is one way to help ensure equal access to justice. I am thrilled to be working with Paladin and other legal services providers on ways that we can achieve this mission together.”

Melissa O. Picciola is the Director of Pro Bono & Community Partnerships. Melissa oversees all of Legal Aid Chicago’s volunteer and pro bono projects, including internships, in-house volunteers, community legal clinics, and all law firm and corporate partnerships and has created volunteer focused projects at Legal Aid Chicago serving clients in advance directives, eviction defense, and record expungement. She joined Legal Aid Chicago in 2018 after a career in legal aid. She has practice experience in family law and domestic violence, eviction defense, and representing people with disabilities on individual and systemic matters. Melissa received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Erica Taylor, Staff Attorney at Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation

Erica Taylor is a staff attorney at Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, also known as AVLF. AVLF assists low-income clients in Fulton County, Georgia and focuses primarily on issues concerning housing and victims of intimate partner abuse. Erica works for the Safe and Stable Homes Project of AVLF. The mission of the Safe and Stable Homes Project is to recruit legal professional volunteers to assist clients with landlord/tenant and wages issues that threaten to displace clients from their homes or destabilize their housing. The goal of the project is to help low-income clients to find and stay in safe and stable homes. Before joining AVLF, Erica practiced real estate and zoning law in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Prior to that,she practiced general civil law with a focus on probate and estate law, elder law, family law, and real estate law in Douglasville, Georgia. In addition to her legal work, she interned at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Education, investigating claims of discrimination. She also interned at Georgia Legal Services Program where she assisted clients with Intimate Partner Abuse. Erica holds a B.S. in psychology from Oglethorpe University and a J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.

Katie Lambing, Associate Director of Legal Programs, Rian Immigrant Center

Katie Lambing is the Associate Director of Legal Programs at the Rian Immigrant Center, where they manage the Center's consultation clinics and pro bono programs. Prior to joining Rian as a staff attorney in 2017, Katie did two AmeriCorps service years through the AmeriCorps Legal Advocates of Massachusetts program, spending one year at Project Citizenship and another at Greater Boston Legal Services. In 2020, they spent several months away from Rian, working on eviction defense through Massachusetts' COVID Eviction Legal Help Project. Katie is a graduate of the Boston University School of Law and the University of Cincinnati.