Congratulations to March’s Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month: Shaun Haines
Editor's note: The Pro Bono Board, a student group committed to expanding pro bono knowledge and opportunities to students, names a Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month. The March honoree is Shaun Haines,’16. His classmate, Rebecca Smith, a member of the board, wrote this story on his work. For more information on pro bono work, visit the Pro Bono Service Initiative website or contact Shehnaz Mansuri in the Office of Career Services.
Shaun Haines works with Instituto del Progreso Latino in Chicago to help lawful permanent residents fill out documentation in their path to citizenship. Instituto’s mission is to contribute to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families while preserving their cultural identity and dignity.
Shaun became involved with Instituto in October, and has attended almost all of the bi-monthly citizenship workshops since then. He started going because he thought it sounded interesting, and he says it’s been a great opportunity to meet people from the community, hear their life stories, and travel to different neighborhoods all over Chicago. He also enjoys practicing his Spanish skills, although speaking the language is not required.
Before law school, Shaun obtained a master’s degree in Latin American studies and was a social worker. This summer, he will be working at a firm in Miami doing corporate work in the Latin American practice group, and he plans on pursuing this type of career after law school. One of the reasons he chose this firm was because of its strong commitment to pro bono work, which he plans on continuing once he begins practicing law.
After 1L year is over, Shaun would like to become involved in more pro bono opportunities. He values helping people who need assistance and cannot afford it and enjoys making connections in the community. Besides working with Instituto, you can find Shaun at pub trivia every Tuesday, or perhaps on a run along the lake (but only if the weather’s nice).
The Pro Bono Board is excited to present Shaun Haines as March’s Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month!