Volunteer Spotlight: Alessandra Brainard

Volunteer of the Month: Alessandra Brainard

March’s Volunteer of the Month is Alessandra Brainard, an attorney at Bennett, Bricklin & Saltzburg with a passion for advocacy and a contagious enthusiasm for VIP’s mission.

Like so many others, Alessandra entered the legal profession because of her drive to stand up for others. “I wanted to be someone’s advocate on the worst day of their life,” she recalls. Her career experiences—from stints at a local police department and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Criminal Bureau to her current position as a member of her firm’s Special Investigations and Fraud Team—have given her ample opportunity to be such an advocate.

As a VIP volunteer, Alessandra focuses on defending Philadelphians in slip-and-fall, breach of contract, and auto accident lawsuits. These clients risk losing what is often their only asset: their homes. Fortunately for them, Alessandra’s advocacy has so far resulted in only favorable outcomes, including a number of dismissals and even an arbitration award against a publicly-traded company.

“My favorite part of my job is working with people. I sought that out in my pro bono work,” she explains. “Some of my clients’ situations are so disheartening, but it’s been a privilege to help them, get to know their families, and build a real relationship.”

Alessandra is a booster for VIP’s mission who enlists other lawyers in her work and recently organized a VIP lunch-and-learn at her office. “There’s no shortage of people who need help. I want others to experience the fulfillment that comes from volunteering,” she says. “Access to justice shouldn’t depend on someone’s income. It’s our duty as lawyers to even the playing field.”