CWSL Faculty, Staff, and Student Named to AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll

California Western School of Law prides itself on its commitment to pro bono service among our faculty, staff, and students. We are happy to announce that Professor Liam Vavasour; Jeff Chinn, Associate Director of Student and Diversity Services; and Amanda Montgomery ’24 have been named to the Association of American Law Schools’ 2023 Pro Bono Honor Roll. The Honor Roll “acknowledges and highlights the pro bono work of individuals engaging in, expanding, and/or supporting their law school community in providing pro bono legal services.” 

Jeff Chinn, Associate Director of Student and Diversity Services, remarked, “I am surprised and honored. I want to share this with those who inspire me - my colleagues in the pro bono organizations I've worked with and the clients I have served.” In the last year alone, Jeff has volunteered with the SD County Bar Association to serve meals to seniors, helped coordinate the Lincoln HS Mock Trial Scrimmages at CWSL, served on the board of the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego, and served on the board of the Burrito Boyz, assisting youth to serve meals to those who are hungry and unsheltered in San Diego.

Professor Liam F. Vavasour is a Legal Writing Professor at California Western as well as the Director of the Clinical Externship Program. He is also a regular volunteer attorney for the Community Law Project, providing pro bono service to the most vulnerable among our San Diego community. 

Amanda Montgomery ’24 has logged over 1000+ volunteer hours in the last four years and dedicated 592 hours of pro bono service this past summer while working at the San Diego Public Defender’s Multiple Conflicts Office. “By being part of the Pro Bono Honor Roll,” Amanda said, “I want to continue to reinforce the importance of positive societal change, access to justice, social responsibilities, and the principles of giving back. I am immensely honored to be a part of a program that shares their passions for accessible justice to all, regardless of their means.”

Congratulations to Professor Vavasour, Jeff, and Amanda—representing California Western’s steadfast dedication to community service.