‘Things That Really Matter’

In under a decade as a litigator, Shirin Afsous has clocked hundreds of pro bono hours, mostly helping victims of domestic violence. One memorable case came in 2022, when she represented an Afghan woman seeking to end her marriage to an abusive spouse. The client could neither read nor write, did not speak English, and could not drive.

“There were a lot of barriers to her knowing what to do and how to protect herself and her children,” says Afsous, who emigrated from Iran at age 4 and speaks fluent Farsi. 

The case came to her when an Iranian friend of the woman reached out to Afsous, then-president of the Iranian American Bar Association’s D.C. chapter. Afsous calls the case emotionally taxing and legally challenging. For instance, how valid was the marriage contract? Her illiterate client had “signed” it by making a mark at the bottom of the document. “There were issues of first impression for the court, and there was a lot of complexity in what some people might deem a standard divorce case.” 

The court ruled the Islamic marriage contract was valid, but granted an equitable distribution of assets, plus spousal and child support, in addition to what the client was owed under the contract. That client is now learning English and has obtained a driver’s license, a car and a job, says Afsous. “For me, doing pro bono work is a way to give back to communities in need.” 

Afsous, 34, has seen firsthand the challenges faced by her own relatives navigating the immigration system and facing language barriers while acclimating to a new life in the U.S. In addition, she has a twin sister who is disabled. Difficult situations, she says, “can become 10 times worse if you feel you can’t properly advocate for yourself. It was always important to me to be a voice for people who felt voiceless.”

“For me, doing pro bono work is a way to give back to communities in need.”

These formative experiences shaped Afsous’ decision to become a lawyer. She chose Suffolk University Law School in Boston partly because of its reputation for prioritizing public service, and she was able to pursue internships and work at clinics at which she accumulated dozens of pro bono hours.

“I think it’s a tremendous advantage to have gone to law school, and now I have this knowledge and I want to help where I can,” Afsous says. Working as a civil litigator at Greenberg Traurig allows her to prioritize pro bono work alongside her regular caseload. In addition to partnering with military organizations and community groups, the firm employs a nationwide pro bono coordinator, with an in-house coordinator in each regional office. “They are tasked with helping attorneys figure out what pro bono opportunities are available. And if someone has a specific cause that they want to participate in, [the coordinator] can explain how to get that approved,” says Afsous.

She encountered domestic violence cases in the first year of a two-year clerkship, beginning in 2015, for now-retired Judge José M. López, Superior Court of District of Columbia. “As much as the system tries, there are so many barriers to people trying to get out of domestic violence situations,” Afsous says. “So those are very near and dear to my heart.”

Making Time for Pro Bono

Shirin Afsous knows the demands of pro bono work can be daunting. Here are her tips for making it work.

Time management: “You have to be honest with yourself. If you don’t have 100 hours to give, then don’t take on a case that’s going to require 100 hours. However, attorneys should give back with pro bono casework wherever they can.”

Seek familiarity: “Not every attorney needs to take on a litigation case. There are so many other ways that people can do pro bono work, like handling transactional matters and reviewing contracts.”

Find a mentor: That said, if a case outside your practice area piques your interest, don’t let fear hold you back. Afsous volunteers to accompany colleagues who don’t regularly practice in court into the courtroom and provide support if needed. “The goal is to offer pro bono assistance where we can, and it’s a team effort.”