Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files

PLI Podcasts

An exciting limited series podcast showcasing the hard work and heartening stories of the pro bono and public interest community.

  1. May 4

    Hallway Conversations at Pro Bono Institute's Annual Conference

    In a series of lightning-round interviews recorded onsite at the Pro Bono Institute’s annual conference, Pursuing Justice host Alicia Aiken and Nihad Mansour, host of PBI’s Pro Bono Happy Hour, hear inspiring pro bono stories and insights from dedicated pro bono practitioners. Guests include Sirena Castillo (Manatt, Phelps & Phillips), Sara Ghadiri (Chapman and Cutler), Elba Gutiérrez Castillo (Greenberg Traurig), Sateesh Nori (LawDroid), Jim Sandman (University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School), Brian Soja (LPL Financial) and Angela Vigil (Baker McKenzie). Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals

    43 min

  2. Apr 2

    Credit Repair for Trafficking Survivors

    Survivors of human trafficking are often burdened with legal and financial issues through no fault of their own. In this episode, hear how pro bono support can make a difference. Host Alicia Aiken speaks with Eve Runyon, of the Pro Bono Institute, and Sarah Dohoney Byrne, of Moore & Van Allen, about a credit-repair clinic established through a partnership between PBI and the National Survivor Law Collective that is helping survivors block trafficking-related debts from their credit reports — often fast enough to unlock housing, jobs, and financial stability. Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

    57 min

  3. Feb 25

    Tiela Chalmers: A Pro Bono Multiplier

    Tiela Chalmers, the recipient of PLI’s second Victor J. Rubino Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Training, talks with Alicia Aiken about her impactful career, including her contributions to California’s disaster response infrastructure, her widely used poverty workshop, and her years of teaching with PLI. Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

    45 min

  4. Feb 3

    Pursuing Justice: Oscar Season Edition

    For the third year running, Pursuing Justice host Alicia Aiken and attorney (and fellow movie buff) John Whitcomb explore the surprising themes of pro bono and access to justice running through Oscar-nominated films from various decades. Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

    56 min

  5. 12/24/2025

    Bonus: David Turetsky Goes to the Supreme Court

    David Turetsky shares how, in the summer of 1981, he found himself at the U.S. Supreme Court as part of a team that halted the New York City primary elections to protect voting rights. Link to Episode 65: Lessons in Crisis Lawyering Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

    12 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    Lessons in Crisis Lawyering

    Pro bono lawyers are often called upon to calmly and competently help clients experiencing crises. But what if the crisis — a natural disaster, a pandemic, an unprecedented challenge at the polls — impacts the lawyer as well? In this episode, Alicia Aiken speaks with Ray Brescia, Associate Dean for Research and Intellectual Life and Hon. Harold R. Tyler Chair in Law and Technology, Albany Law School, and David Turetsky, Professor of Practice Emeritus, University of Albany, about how lawyers can plan ahead to meet the moment for pro bono clients. Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

    42 min

  7. 11/07/2025

    The Missing School Bus

    Thousands of Washington, D.C. area kids with disabilities rely on buses for transportation to the schools that can serve their educational needs — some of which are very far from their homes. But for years, the DC school bus system has been failing these students, with buses that arrive late, or not at all, or with safety concerns, all of which impacts their access to education. In this episode, hear from a local parent about her experience with this dysfunctional system — and how a pro bono team including Kathy Zeisel of the Children’s Law Center, Shira Wakschlag of The Arc, Kaitlin Banner of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and Christopher Shoemaker of McDermott Will & Schulte have brought a major federal class action seeking to remedy these issues systemwide. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

    1h 2m

  8. 10/07/2025

    Sentencing Justice for Incarcerated Domestic Violence Survivors

    Incarcerated survivors of domestic violence and trafficking are finding hope and justice through the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) — with help from pro bono attorneys. Hear a conversation with Dara Sheinfeld and Denis McInerney of Davis Polk, who have been working on the front lines of re-sentencing efforts in collaboration with pro bono clients, legal aid organizations, and prosecutors. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

    52 min
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An exciting limited series podcast showcasing the hard work and heartening stories of the pro bono and public interest community.

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