Beatriz M.G. Gordon is a associate in Morrison and Foerster, LLP, Public Law Centers 2005 Attorney of the Year. She describes her pro bono work for the Public Law Center (PLC) in Orange County, CA.

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Beatriz M.G. Gordon: Associate, Morrison & Foerster,
LLP; Public Law Center’s 2005 Attorney of the Year
[By Charisse Dengler]
With an energy and animation that only comes from truly loving what you do, Beatriz M.G. Gordon describes her pro
bono work for the Public Law Center (PLC) in Orange County, CA, as personally rewarding. Averaging between 50
and 100 hours of pro bono work a year, Gordon was voted the PLC’s Attorney of the Year in 2005.
At the time of the PLC award, she had She also advised law students to consider “My client and the family members that
contributed 900 hours to pro bono work over getting involved with pro bono work early were helping her just really brought me into
the course of her 10-year career, most of in their legal careers if they want to gain their family. I honestly felt like I became a
which was with the PLC. experience quickly. part of their family…and I think it was my
favorite case because, to me, it just kind of
“My firm has a very good relationship and “If you’re working on a big antitrust litigation, resembled what pro bono is about,” she said.
always has had a good relationship with where there’s hundreds of millions of dollars “She was so appreciative even though we
the Public Law Center, and my firm is very involved, as a brand new associate, chances lost.”
encouraging of pro bono work. So, I think are most of what you’re going to be doing is
probably one of my first cases—certainly research and writing memos,” she said. “But This attitude of gratitude is something
one of my first 10 cases when I walked in the on a pro bono case, you can be a first-year Gordon has noticed across the board when
door—was a case that a partner had from associate, and you’re taking depositions. it comes to pro bono cases. She said pro
the PLC, and they just asked me to help on You’re going to court on a regular basis. So, it bono clients are always exceedingly thankful
it,” Gordon said when asked how she first really gives you experience early on.” to have someone representing them who
became involved with the center. understands the judicial system and knows
Gordon has been involved with the PLC since how to get their voices heard.
A litigation associate at Morrison & Foerster, she started at Morrison & Foerster a decade
ago; and out of all the cases she’s been a “You get to have a very personal relationship
Gordon thinks it’s important for firms to
part of, one stands out as her favorite. with your client in a pro bono case,” she
promote pro bono work.
said. “Whereas, with a client with means, it’s
The case involved an elderly mother and her usually a big company that I’m representing;
“I think it’s really important for the firms
daughter. While the mother was sick, her and although I develop a good relationship
themselves to take a stand on pro bono and
daughter drew up a quitclaim deed to the with my contact person—whether it’s a
advocating that their associates and partners
mother’s house and had her sign it, deeding general counsel or CEO—it’s not the same
take on pro bono matters, and I think one
the house to the daughter. However, when relationship when you’re dealing with
of the ways a lot of firms have encouraged
the mother regained her health and realized someone and his business as opposed to
people to do that is to have pro bono work
what had happened, she sought legal advice, someone and her home.”
count as billable hours,” she said.
saying she wanted to leave the house to all
eight of her children and not just the one Gordon first became interested in the legal
“My firm has always been one of the front-
daughter. field when she participated in mock trial
runners when it comes to treating pro bono
in high school. At the urging of her history
work as billable work, and I’ve seen in the
“We had to go in and try to get the deed teacher, she played the part of a lawyer and
last 10 years that a lot of other firms have
rescinded,” Gordon said. “We arbitrated found it to be interesting. After studying
joined the bandwagon and have revamped
the matter right before Thanksgiving; and history in college, she decided to go on to law
their pro bono policy, including pro bono
unfortunately, we lost, and the daughter got school.
hours—at least to some extent—as billable
to keep the house.”
hours. I think that needs to continue because She said her favorite part of being a
that’s one way to get a lot of great lawyers Despite the loss, it was the woman’s lawyer is writing persuasive briefs for her
to become involved in doing pro bono work,” gratefulness for what Gordon had done and clients. However, her least favorite part is
she said. her acceptance of Gordon into her family that dealing with the difficult personalities she
made the case memorable. sometimes comes into contact with.
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“Usually, you find it’s a difficult opposing “I have actually just…joined the bandwagon Morrison Foerster
counsel…or it’s someone who is just so with all the celebrities,” she said. “I started www.mofo.com
litigious and so defensive that they make knitting, which I actually really enjoy. My
your life miserable,” she said. “They paper husband teases me; but if I can get a half Learn to Knit
you with everything and take you to the court hour of knitting in before I go to bed, it’s knitting.about.com/od/learningtoknit/ss/
for the littlest thing, and you just have to deal actually calming to me.” blsteplearn.htm
with that.”
ON THE NET
In order to relieve on-the-job stress, Gordon,
a mother of two, enjoys exercising and Public Law Center
knitting. www.publiclawcenter.org
PAGE