Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month-January 2021

Michael Kalish of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Michael Kalish was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He obtained his bachelor’s degree and juris doctor degree from the University of San Diego.  He is now a senior associate at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck where his practice focuses on commercial real estate, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and land use. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck supports his participation in pro bono and has a long history of supporting the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.

Michael has been a key volunteer with the Landlord Tenant Ask-A-Lawyer program. When we asked him to share about his experience, he said “I have been participating in the Ask-A-Lawyer Program and have been providing advice to both tenants and landlords.  I have been able to help a large number of tenants, who were at risk of being evicted due to layoffs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, with interpreting and applying the evolving state and federal eviction moratoriums.  Similarly, I have been able to help landlords understand the exceptions to such eviction moratoriums for destructive tenants who were not otherwise protected from eviction.  I have also advised tenants regarding their rights and remedies when faced with unsafe and unsanitary living conditions resulting from the failure of their landlords to comply with their required maintenance obligations.  I plan to participate in this program in the coming year as the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada continues to experience an increased demand for this program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

When we asked Michael why he does pro bono work, he said “I believe it is important to help others who are in need and to give back to your community in any way you can.  I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend law school and to become a lawyer.  By providing pro bono legal services, I am able to apply what I have learned to help others who may not otherwise have access to legal services.”

For his commitment to pro bono, we honor Michael Kalish as our January Volunteer of the Month.