Volunteer Spotlight: Alex Reilly
Alex Reilly is a member of our Junior Board, an Associate at Stradley Ronon, and an attorney whose pro bono service is making a real difference for survivors in our community. Recently honored by her firm with the Stradley Ronon 2026 Pro Bono Service Award, Alex exemplifies the spirit of service that drives our work at Volunteer Legal Advocates.
We connected with Alex on what this recognition means to her, how pro bono work has shaped her approach to advocacy, and why she encourages every attorney to say yes to this life-changing work.
Congratulations on receiving Stradley Ronon’s 2026 Pro Bono Service Award. What did this recognition mean to you?
I’m honored to have received the Stradley Ronon Pro Bono Service Award. As lawyers, we are uniquely positioned to help bridge the justice gap for those who cannot navigate our complex legal system alone. Receiving this recognition from Stradley Ronon is meaningful to me because it demonstrates the firm’s commitment to advocacy and service to our community. It’s incredibly important to me that I practice at a firm and among other attorneys who share these values.
What first drew you to volunteer with Volunteer Legal Advocates, and why did this work in particular resonate with you?
I grew up volunteering in the community with my family and saw very early on how often the people we helped were struggling with domestic violence. I knew that once I earned my law degree, I would use it to continue that volunteer work through legal advocacy. Volunteer Legal Advocates was recommended to me first, and the organization resonated with me immediately.
Pro bono cases often require lawyers to step outside their usual practice areas. What have you learned or gained from this work that surprised you?
Initially, I didn’t think there would be much overlap between the family law matters I encounter in the Volunteer Legal Advocates clinic and the corporate and regulatory matters I handle in my practice; however, the core skill of advocacy doesn’t change. My work with Volunteer Legal Advocates has sharpened my ability to work through tense situations to find a solution. Navigating these emotional cases requires a balance of empathy and pragmatism that would translate directly to any practice area.
How has your experience with Volunteer Legal Advocates influenced the way you approach your legal practice more broadly?
It has made me a more purposeful advocate. When you see how much is at stake for a survivor, you learn to prioritize the most impactful arguments and act decisively. I now carry that “clinic” mindset back to my firm practice: identifying core issues quickly, managing the pressure of the moment, and never losing sight of whatever tangible outcome the client is seeking.
What would you say to other attorneys who are considering pro bono work with Volunteer Legal Advocates, and what keeps you saying yes to this work?
Do it! There is no better use of your time than volunteering with Volunteer Legal Advocates. During my very first clinic shift, I met with a client, listened to her story and collaborated with a supervising attorney on a solution to file a civil protection order (CPO), which was served that same day. While the legal system can often move slowly, at this clinic a single hour of your time can actually change the course of a survivor’s life.
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