Her Justice: How Our Firm Serves the Community
When I joined Shaub, Ahmuty, Citrin & Spratt, LLP as an associate, I was focused on developing my writing and oral argument skills as a member of the firm’s Litigation/Appellate Strategy & Advocacy Group. What I did not fully anticipate or appreciate at the time was the opportunity to add another dimension to my practice, particularly one that would insert me directly into the lives of people who needed me most. That opportunity came through our firm's partnership with Her Justice, a pro bono program that has grown into one of the most meaningful parts of my practice.
What Is Her Justice?
Her Justice is a New York City-based nonprofit organization that advocates for women living in poverty who cannot afford legal representation. Under their "Pro Bono First" model, Her Justice trains and mentors volunteer attorneys from law firms across New York City to provide critical legal services to thousands of women each year. Much of their work centers on divorce proceedings, both uncontested and contested, and encompasses a wide range of related relief, including child custody, child support, orders of protection, maintenance, equitable distribution of marital property, and exclusive occupancy of the marital residence.
Litigating a divorce in Supreme Court is unwieldy and confusing for someone without legal representation. Volunteer counsel can mean the difference between an unfair outcome that leaves a woman and her children in poverty and a just resolution that allows her to achieve financial independence and build a safe, stable life. For many of these clients, a successful divorce proceeding is not just a legal victory; it is a fresh start.
How the Program Began at SACS
Our firm's involvement with Her Justice began around 2020, when two partners took on the program and built it from the ground up. I joined shortly after and quickly became immersed in the work. By 2022, when one of those founding partners moved on, I stepped in to take the reins, managing the outstanding cases and continuing to grow the program.
Over the past couple of years, we have expanded our efforts through the Appellate and Litigation Strategy team. Our caseload has evolved as well. We started primarily with uncontested divorces, where volunteer attorneys draft the initial and final pleadings, work with the client and their spouse to reach agreements, and guide the matter through the court filing process. These cases generally require between ten and twenty hours of legal time and can be concluded within six to nine months. They are impactful, manageable, and an excellent entry point for associates.
But our work has grown more complex. We currently have a contested divorce case involving disputed pensions and benefits that has expanded into a full family court proceeding involving visitation and custody over a child. That case is a good example of how these matters can evolve and how important it is to have attorneys who can adapt and advocate comprehensively for a client across multiple proceedings.
A Great Opportunity for Associates
For associates at the firm, this program is an exceptional opportunity on multiple levels.
The hands-on litigation experience is real and immediate. From the moment you take a case, you are the attorney of record. You draft pleadings, communicate with clients, navigate court procedures, and, in some cases, appear before a judge. For associates early in their careers, that kind of direct exposure is invaluable, and it comes with mentorship. Her Justice provides substantive training (I completed comprehensive training on divorce litigation procedure shortly after joining), and I actively guide the associates’ work.
The firm supports this commitment in a meaningful way, allowing up to ten hours per month in billable credit toward the program. Participation also qualifies for CLE credit each year, nearly ten hours of hands-on, live pro bono experience that satisfies continuing legal education requirements. It is one of the few opportunities where your professional development and community contribution align with this directly.
Looking Ahead
The program is still growing. In the near term, I would like to expand our involvement further and bring on a co-head from the Medical Malpractice side of our practice. The litigation skills we use every day – strategy, discovery, negotiation, court appearances – transfer seamlessly to this work. And the ability to take those skills and apply them on behalf of someone who genuinely needs help is something that does not come along often.
For anyone considering a career at SACS, or for associates already here who have not yet gotten involved: this program is worth your time. The work is challenging, the mentorship is real, and the impact is undeniable.
Payne Tatich is a partner in the firm’s Litigation/Appellate Strategy & Advocacy Group.
