We regularly highlight interesting facts and insights from you and others whose work each day makes our justice system more accessible and equitable for all. This partner profile features Heather Hodges, Pro Bono Counsel at Neighborhood Legal Services Program.
Name: Heather Hodges
Job/Position: Pro Bono Counsel
Organization: Neighborhood Legal Services Program
Years on the job:
5 1/2 Where did you grow up? Columbus, OH
What brought you to DC? I was an associate at Arnold & Porter LLP.
What was your first job in DC and what did you learn? Clerk-typist at U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Fun Facts
Daily habit: Pilates every morning at 4 a.m.
Favorite app: Google Translate. I run a cuban news website.
Favorite movie: West Side Story
Hobbies: Cuban dance
One thing (other than your phone) you never leave your home without is… I ride the bus to work, so I always have a novel.
Career
Most rewarding element of your work: Helping other attorneys with pro bono service.
If I hadn’t become a lawyer, I would be a… Documentary filmmaker
Legal Aid and DCBF Funding
Your dream for our legal system is… To make justice for a ll a reality.
The most pressing civil legal aid issue in DC is… That there is still an access to justice gap,
Little know fact about your organization: Many don’t realize we’ve been providing civil legal aid in the District for over half a century. Founded in 1964, we were a pioneer to the neighborhood-based legal services and we still thrive to be an integral part of the communities we serve.
What is your relationship to DCBF? Grantee
Organizational Mission: We provide free, civil legal services to low-income residents of the District of Columbia.
What has DCBF funding meant to your organization? We were able to open the only full service, civil legal aid office in Ward 7.
Recent victory made possible by DCBF funding: NLSP won a $120,000 judgment for a disabled veteran who was left without heat and then wronglfuly evicted.
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