The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) welcomes two new attorneys to our Federal Pro Bono Project. This partnership with the United States District Court, Northern District of California, serves unrepresented litigants in two ways: guiding them through Legal Help Centers; and providing pro bono attorneys to represent them.
RoseMarie Maliekel supervises the Federal Pro Bono Project overall. Based at the San Francisco federal courthouse, she advises pro se litigants through a wide array of cases at the Help Center. Additionally, when Northern District judges determine that a litigant would be well-served by pro bono representation, RoseMarie manages the assignment of counsel from JDC’s volunteer panel.
Prior to joining JDC, RoseMarie was a trial attorney for the Federal Defenders of San Diego, chairing numerous jury trials, managing federal felony cases, and training and supervising new attorneys. She then completed a legal fellowship at a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans. RoseMarie’s role with JDC is the next step in a longtime commitment to public interest work. At Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where RoseMarie earned her J.D., she received special recognition for outstanding commitment to public service. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and hiking with her German Shepherd, Diego.
At the Oakland federal courthouse, Abby Herzberg is the Legal Help Center attorney there. Passionate about social and racial justice, Abby joins JDC after six years in legal aid working with clients with chronic mental health conditions. She provided legal services and advocacy in public benefits, Supplemental Security Income and disability benefits from initial applications through federal court appeals. Abby’s clients also benefit from her exposure to a range of federal practice areas during a clerkship with a United States Magistrate Judge. A Northern California native, Abby can be found outside of work chasing her two young kids, watching Warriors games and exploring East Bay parks.
JDC is glad to have two attorneys who are enthusiastically committed to helping low-income people achieve just results. Welcome, RoseMarie and Abby!
If you’re interested in volunteering with the Federal Pro Bono Project, please contact RoseMarie Maliekel at RMaliekel@sfbar.org.
