Volunteer of the Month – November 2024

Xyzlo Lee – Snell and Wilmer L.L.P.

Xyzlo Lee, our Pro Bono Attorney of the Month, was born and raised in Nevada. He recounts that, even in his younger years, he always had a distinct affinity for reading and writing. This affinity would eventually gain him admission into Boston College, where he studied both English and Political Science. The completion of his degrees, he states, prompted a natural interest in pursuing law. After a two-year hiatus between undergraduate school and law school, during which Xyzlo worked as a travelling LSAT tutor and semi-professional poker player, he made a notable impact at the prestigious Columbia Law School. It was there that Mr. Lee participated in Moot Court, instructed as Teacher’s Assistant, and began a long legacy of volunteerism through his contributions to the California Appellate Project.

It was after his graduation from Columbia Law School that he began clerking for Judge Cristina Silva for the District of Nevada and Chief Justice Douglas Herndon of the Supreme Court of Nevada. These two figures played a powerful role in his life, Xyzlo reveals: “both of them molded me into the lawyer I am today and encouraged me to pursue pro bono work.” Currently, as a civil litigator at Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., Xyzlo upholds the teachings of his previous mentors by graciously contributing his time and expertise to the Legal Aid Center’s Pro Bono Program. Xyzlo credits Snell & Wilmer L.L.P’s pro bono positive policies for allowing him to engage deeply with local volunteerism– in return, Mr. Lee regularly participates in several of our programs, including: Federal Appeals, Children’s Attorneys Project, and Ask-A-Lawyer. When questioned on his motivations, Mr. Lee thoughtfully responded, “too many Nevadans face serious legal issues but cannot afford representation. I do pro bono to help them. I have also been lucky to enjoy circumstances permitting me to give back.”

Most recently, Xyzlo Lee onboarded as legal counsel for two vulnerable elementary-school-aged children through our Children’s Attorney Project, representing and guiding them through the various challenges in dependency court. Beyond the typical obligations of a CAP volunteer– collaborating with social workers, school administrators, and family court– Xyzlo goes above and beyond to ensure his CAP children receive ample legal and emotional support. These two young children were removed from their parent’s care on the cusp of the upcoming Holiday season. Xyzlo mentions, “I worked with their foster parents to ensure they could experience the Holiday season that every child deserves. I attended their choir recital, gifted them presents, and ensured they attended Holiday events around town.” In providing these extraordinary acts of selfless service to these children, Xyzlo continues to fulfill his primary goal, which is, he posits, to ‘give the children a voice.’ Ultimately, Xyzlo reflects that this experience has been, ‘by far,’ the most satisfying legal experience he has undertaken in his legal career.

For his dedication and commitment to pro bono, we honor Xyzlo as our November 2024 Volunteer of the Month.