Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month – February 2023

Ogonna Brown of Lewis Roca

Ogonna Brown is a partner at Lewis Roca and works in the Litigation, Bankruptcy, and Creditor’s Rights practice groups. She was born and raised in Munich, Germany, and moved to Las Vegas to attend UNLV. Ogonna is a charter member of the William S. Boyd School of Law. She is a practically minded business lawyer with years of high-stakes experience, focusing on creditor’s rights, secured party representation, commercial litigation, and bankruptcy litigation. When she has a break in cases, Ogonna enjoys traveling to a tropical beach, hiking to explore Nevada’s beautiful landscape, or enjoying dinner at one of her favorite restaurants.

Mentoring up-and-coming lawyers and pro bono work are two of Ogonna’s passions. Pro Bono has always been a part of her DNA and is a large part of the firm culture. Lewis Roca takes pride in being involved in pro bono work, and views pro bono as a training tool for new associates to first chair in a trial very early on in their legal careers with the oversight of a partner.

When asked why she does pro bono work. Ogonna shared that giving back is an obligation everyone should share, whether you are a lawyer or a teacher. She said, “Everyone can and should contribute to the community in meaningful ways, large or small.”

Recently, Ogonna assisted a client in a small claims action. The client sought a refund of her $850.00 security deposit on an apartment. Her client had medical disabilities and could not work and care for her child, and the security deposit meant the world to her when they won in Court. The silver lining of the case was the opportunity for Ogonna to work with a law student mentee with Legal Aid Center Partners in Pro Bono Program. The mentee had the chance to argue and make her first presentation before the judge and at the small claims trial. The joy on her mentee’s face when they won, coupled with the client’s happiness, was priceless. This result is why we do pro bono.

Ogonna’s passion, conviction, and eagerness to help those most vulnerable make her an extraordinary person and attorney of the month. We are incredibly grateful to work with her to provide much-needed access to justice to vulnerable clients. Congratulations, Ogonna Brown.