For our February staff spotlight, we’re recognizing the tremendous work Princess Bustos has accomplished and continues to carry out with BASF. Bustos first began her journey with us over ten years ago as a Bi-lingual Legal Interviewer, Tagalog-English, with the SF-Marin Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS). These days her role as a Community Outreach and Attorney Engagement Manager involves recruiting new attorneys into our services, overseeing thousands of case referrals, and managing the new self-referral program. In partnership with the LRIS, BASF Cannabis Section, and the San Francisco Office of Cannabis, she also assists individuals who were previously incarcerated due to cannabis related offenses and connects them with a volunteer attorney for limited scope assistance.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with people and what makes my work worthwhile is knowing that I am helping to make a difference in someone’s life,” Bustos explained. She previously managed the only Filipino-bilingual afterschool program in the nation, where she bridged the gap between her students’ families and their access to social and academic services.

Although difficult at times, Bustos was sure to express the most rewarding aspect of her role. “Sometimes it can be emotional. You become a bridge, a therapist, and a punching bag all in a span of 20 minutes, and more often though, you’ve put a smile on someone’s face because they know you cared enough to listen and that you will do your very best to get them the help they need.”

If you’d like to get in touch with Bustos, reach her at pbustos@sfbar.org.