This series is aimed at bringing attention to Nelson Mullins attorneys and legal staff who are committed to pro bono work as a part of their legal practice. See how they made a difference through pro bono!

For Joe Fornadel, pro bono work is a natural extension of his commitment to advocacy and service. As a litigator, he understands how overwhelming the legal system can be for those without representation, and how meaningful it is to help someone navigate that process. Joe finds pro bono work both energizing and rewarding, and he credits the firm’s collaborative culture with making it easy for attorneys to get involved. His advice to those considering pro bono? “Just put your hand up.” With the right support and a willingness to learn, he believes every attorney can make a lasting difference.

Describe a compelling pro bono matter in which you were or are currently involved.

The most compelling pro bono matter in which I was involved was a prisoner rights action that resulted in a five-day bench trial in federal court.  Our client had a chronic medical condition for which he received inadequate care and treatment over a span of many years.  While we were ultimately not successful in obtaining a favorable judgment from the trial court, the appellate court overturned part of the trial court’s ruling regarding some of the accommodations that were not provided to our client.

As with any trial, there was certainly a lot of work that went into working up the case and presenting the relevant evidence at trial, but I found the experience to be very energizing and rewarding.

Why do you think it’s important for the legal profession and our firm to champion pro bono?

Particularly for litigators, pro bono is so important because the legal process can be challenging and opaque to most people.  With our training and knowledge, we have the ability to guide individuals in need through an otherwise inaccessible maze of procedures and filings.  This improves our communities and our courts.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to pro bono work or considering getting more involved?

My advice would be simply to put your hand up. Nelson Mullins has no shortage of attorneys who would be willing to assist and mentor a younger attorney as they navigate a new project.  That is one part of the firm’s culture that I have truly enjoyed.  The internal structure at the firm is such that not only is pro bono work a priority, [but there are also] individuals who can and will help you find opportunities that match your interests.