Introducing the Volunteers Making a Difference
- communications898
- Oct 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 21
To celebrate National Pro Bono Week, we're highlighting some of the amazing people who help make our work possible. Juggling volunteer work with a full-time job or school isn't easy, so their commitment to making justice accessible to everyone is truly impressive. Keep reading to find out what drives them!
In this post:
Mickey Cappello
Attorney, Galindo Law, PC.
Texas Free Legal Answers Volunteer
How did you become involved with TLSC?
I first heard about TLSC through St. Mary's University's pro bono service center. I was a commuter from Austin to San Antonio, and was desperately looking for any remote service opportunities. When I gave TLSC a try, I ended up loving the work so much I went beyond my service hour requirements for law school and continued during my holiday breaks and even post-graduation.
What type of volunteer work did you do for Texas Free Legal Answers?
I got to log in on my own time, review eligible questions to answer, follow a script for how to properly format my answers to these questions (whether they were past-30 days or the legal date already passed or they were elderly inquirers or veterans), and then issue spot! I got to use my fact pattern observation skills to read through their situation and find specific issues that have legal resolutions to them. I'd then find all the appropriate articles/guides on Texas Law Help to send to them, and add a personal touch to let them know we care deeply about what their going through. It allowed me to interact in a more humanitarian way as a volunteer.
How did volunteering impact your life?
Oh—it has changed EVERYTHING with my direction of practicing law! Not only did it help me get a summer job at the OAG Child Support division (because I got to handle so many family law inquiries), but it also re-grounded me while studying for the bar. At one point, middle of bar prep, I was so stressed about needing my legal job to provide money, I forgot my "WHY." But then TLSC reminded me. It's the part about helping people directly—being a solution for people who are going through the worst times of their lives. It changed my mindset back to being people-centered. And now that's what I do at Galindo Law, PC. I work on immigration claims and property damage claims for victims of natural disasters.
Armin Salek
Executive Director, Youth Justice Alliance
Texas Free Legal Answers Volunteer
How did you become involved with TLSC?
I first learned about the Texas Legal Services Center through the TexasLawHelp.org website as a law student. I was frequently asked legal questions about topics where I offered zero experience and where the person asking for help couldn't afford an attorney. I shared TexasLawHelp.org as a great first stop to find resources to help them address their legal issue.
What type of volunteer work did you do?
Through Texas Free Legal Answers (TFLA), I have enjoyed returning to my background working in immigration, eviction defense, and public interest law. It allows me to serve the clients I love working with on my schedule when work and life allows. It also allows me to work outside of my immediate surroundings and to support rural access to justice which is an area of great need in Texas.
Jenna Malsbary
Associate Counsel, CapMetro
Texas Free Legal Answers Volunteer
How did you become involved with TLSC?
I first heard about TLSC through Armin Salek and Mary Rios when we started to talk about the summer of service project. I wanted to get involved because it's a way that young attorneys can do pro bono work and gain confidence in their practice and abilities.
What type of volunteer work did you do?
I helped lead the Central area efforts for the Summer of Service program, answered questions through Texas Free Legal Answers, and coordinated an event where attorneys got together to answer Texas Free Legal Answers and network.
What was your favorite aspect of volunteering with TLSC?
My favorite part of volunteering with TLSC is getting to connect young lawyers with opportunities to serve the community together through pro bono work.
How did volunteering impact your life?
Volunteering with TLSC has opened up opportunities for me to learn other areas and additional ways to help people in need of pro bono. I'm also able to share the ways that attorneys can support TLSC, helping me generate connections through service.
What are your hobbies outside of volunteering?
Outside of volunteering, I spend time with my family, support and lead the Austin Young Lawyers Association as President this year, go to Austin FC games, and create community connections.
What advice to have for those considering volunteering?
Aaliyah Needum
Senior Undergraduate, Stephen F. Austin State University
Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Minor in Criminal Justice
TexasLawHelp.org Volunteer
How did you become involved with TLSC?
I first learned about TLSC through my university’s Public Health internship program. As someone passionate about health equity and legal access, I was immediately drawn to TLSC’s mission of providing free civil legal help to Texans. I wanted to see how law and public health intersect in real-world settings, and TLSC gave me that perfect opportunity.
What was your favorite aspect of volunteering with TLSC?
My favorite part was collaborating with passionate professionals who genuinely care about empowering people through knowledge. Whether I was helping review legal content or assisting with a social media campaign, I felt like I was contributing to something meaningful and community-centered.
What type of volunteer work did you do?
I volunteered with TexasLawHelp.org, a program of the Texas Legal Services Center that provides free, reliable legal information to the public. My work focused on content management: reviewing and updating legal guides, checking expiration dates, and assisting with projects to ensure the information remained current, accessible and accurate for the community. This experience gave me insight into how accessible legal information supports community health by helping people understand their rights and make informed decisions. I even saw people using TexasLawHelp materials firsthand at the courthouse, which reminded me that the work we do online truly reaches and supports Texans in their everyday lives.
How did volunteering impact your life?
My experience with TLSC has been transformative. It gave me firsthand experience in how legal advocacy supports healthier communities and what goes into keeping the public informed through up-to-date guides and resources. I learned how access to accurate legal information can empower people to make decisions that protect their health, safety, and stability. Working with the TexasLawHelp team deepened my understanding of how community health extends beyond hospitals and clinics—it also depends on access to justice and education. This experience strengthened my communication, research, and outreach skills while confirming my goal of pursuing healthcare law to continue bridging the gap between public health and legal advocacy.
What advice to have for those considering volunteering?
Do it! You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience and learn from some of the most supportive mentors. TLSC provides a space where you can grow, ask questions, and make an impact no matter your background. It’s an experience that teaches both professionalism and compassion.
What are your hobbies outside of volunteering?
I enjoy cooking, spending time with my family, and working out. As a college student, I make time for activities that keep me balanced and healthy while managing classes and volunteer work. I’m also involved in student organizations at Stephen F. Austin State University that focus on leadership, service, and community engagement, which allow me to stay connected and give back both on and off campus.
Luke Bezney
Associate Attorney, Cooper & Scully, P.C.
Texas Free Legal Answers Volunteer
What type of volunteer work did you do?
I fully understood the vast amount of people in need of quality legal services and the volunteer program really sparked my interest in aiding these individuals. I learned that so many people have real legal issues yet feel like they do not know where to turn. TLSC not only put this in perspective for me, but truly elevated my interest in being someone that individuals in need can turn to.
What advice to have for those considering volunteering?
My advice would be to get involved! TLSC is a fantastic organization where your volunteer work truly matters. You will be exposed to many new areas of law and quickly learn the ins and outs of practice areas you may have not gotten experience in. Most importantly, the information you provide to help guide individuals with their legal needs is invaluable and truly makes a difference.
What are your hobbies outside of volunteering?
I enjoy being outdoors. Whether it is fishing, hunting, hiking, exercising, or skiing, I try to be outside and be active as much as possible. My favorite hobby is trout fishing in Colorado.
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How to Volunteer with TLSC
Volunteering offers you the opportunity to make a difference, in your career and in the lives of low-income Texans.
Our program with the ABA, Texas Free Legal Answers, welcomes volunteers on a rolling basis. In this role, pro bono attorneys volunteer remotely on their own schedule.
Throughout the year, opportunities with our other programs are posted on Volunteers page.
More Ways to Support Justice
Join us in Austin on November 13 for our fundraiser: TLSC Film Night Presents A Few Good Men or consider becoming a monthly donor.
Sponsor an event or TexasLawHelp.org
Follow us on social media
