Volunteer Spotlight: Hal Brewster
Volunteer Legal Advocates’ pro bono attorneys bring exceptional skill and unwavering commitment to every case and clinic they take on. Our Volunteer Spotlight series highlights some of the dedicated advocates we’re proud to partner with as we work to end the cycle of violence for survivors and children through pro bono legal aid. Read on to meet Hal Brewster, Antitrust Practice Group Manager at Freshfields and Secretary of Volunteer Legal Advocates’ Board of Directors.
Thanks so much for talking with us, Hal! Could you share a brief overview of your professional experience?
To take it all the way back, when I was in college, I was an ROTC cadet. I graduated and commissioned as an active duty U.S. Army officer for 4 1/2 years in the cavalry, during which time, I deployed to Iraq. When I got out of the military, I worked on a political campaign for a year and then went to law school in 2011.
I’ve worked at a series of firms since then. I was first a commercial litigator in corporate defense and then went on to work specifically in civil rights and voting rights. About two years ago, I made a transition to my current position at Freshfields, where I primarily manage the firm’s antitrust practice. I do pro bono on the side, including with Volunteer Legal Advocates.
How did you learn about Volunteer Legal Advocates, and what inspired you to get involved?
When I was a first-year associate at Paul Weiss, a senior associate was working on a case and asked if I wanted to join him. I was interested in the subject matter, and I’ve always been more inclined to do direct legal services pro bono work rather than big class action type litigation where you’re writing briefs and the impact has the potential to be large, but it’s often more attenuated. I wanted to help individual clients with their legal needs, so that’s what really appealed to me. So I have been volunteering with Volunteer Legal Advocates, formerly DCVLP, since probably two months after I graduated law school.
Can you share any specific moments from your time with Volunteer Legal Advocates that stand out to you?
I’d say two cases stand out to me.
The first was a long-running custody and divorce case that went to trial — which we won—and then was appealed to the D.C. Court of Appeals. Long story short, we were advancing a somewhat novel legal theory to help our client gain a share of the only real asset in the marriage: a rowhouse located in a wealthy D.C. neighborhood. Our client wasn’t on the deed, which had been purchased prior to the marriage. So technically, it wasn’t marital property.
We made a creative legal argument, and the Court of Appeals eventually adopted it, setting a new precedent in D.C. about how non-marital property can be equitably divided. The client was a survivor of domestic abuse, and the ruling was both meaningful and impactful. It was incredibly rewarding and a major victory, and I hope that other advocates have been able to use that precedent to help their own clients.
The second case is more recent. A Freshfields partner, an associate, and I represented a client in a Civil Protection Order case that went to trial last December. The opposing party had legal representation, so it was a hard-fought case. But at the conclusion of evidence, we won; the judge ruled in our favor from the bench and granted us everything we asked for.
Our client was overwhelmed. As soon as we left the courtroom, she broke down in tears. She told us it was the first time she felt that any part of the government had listened to her story and taken her side.
How has your experience with Volunteer Legal Advocates shaped your career or perspective on the legal system?
When I worked in commercial litigation at a boutique firm where trial work was a major focus, most of the cases involved high-stakes, multimillion-dollar matters. In those types of cases, clients were essentially betting the company, so younger associates rarely got the opportunity to stand up in court.
All my early opportunities to do that—to argue in front of a judge, examine a witness, or give an opening statement or closing argument—came through my work with Volunteer Legal Advocates. I gained invaluable courtroom experience that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
The support and oversight that Volunteer Legal Advocates provides is also incredibly helpful. You’re never on your own, but you’re trusted to lead. I learned so much, and it really shaped me as a trial lawyer early in my career.
What do you wish other people knew about Volunteer Legal Advocates and/or those who provide pro bono legal services for survivors and children?
I think it’s important for people to understand just how much you can multiply your impact through an organization like this, one that’s so deeply committed to the volunteer model. Working with Volunteer Legal Advocates means you’re not just helping one person at a time. You’re part of a broader system that extends its reach through committed volunteers. It’s a powerful and deeply rewarding way to make a real, positive difference in the community.
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Inspired to get involved? Learn more at volunteerlegaladvocates.org/volunteer.
