Peggy Ni, Latham & Watkins LLP
What made you interested in becoming an Advisory Board member for OneJustice?
My interest in becoming involved in OneJustice stems from my first introduction to the organization. A few years ago, I participated in the Justice Bus as part of a summer program event at the law firm I currently work at, and it was a really rewarding experience helping people with criminal conviction expungement. I thought this project and the other OneJustice programs are important and effective ways to contribute to the community and ensure legal assistance is available to those who need it.
What is your professional role and how do you hope to use your perspective?
I am a lawyer at a law firm, and a member of the pro bono committee in my office. I hope to use my workplace resources and legal network to help OneJustice continue its great programs and connect lawyers and law students to OneJustice opportunities.
What would you like to accomplish as an Advisory Board member?
My goals are to increase my law firm’s involvement in pro bono programs, including with OneJustice, and to help develop and promote OneJustice initiatives by drawing from my experience and insights working with other pro bono organizations.
Tell us about yourself – interesting facts or what do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy reading in my spare time. I’ve been making my way through Haruki Murakami’s books, and so far 1Q84 is my favorite.
Lauren Golnaz Nikkhah, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
What made you interested in becoming an Advisory Board member for OneJustice?
I initially learned about OneJustice in law school. I was impressed with the high-quality projects and legal services OneJustice was involved in. But, I really saw the organization’s immense value and contributions to the community when OneJustice’s network was immediately at the forefront of providing legal aid when the travel ban was issued. From the outside looking in, it seemed that OneJustice was a well-oiled machine and did everything it could to provide help where it was needed. Over the years, I saw more and more examples of how OneJustice worked to expand legal aid throughout California, and I knew that I wanted to become more involved with the organization. I later learned that one of my law school mentors, Caitlin May, was on the Advisory Board. She relayed how rewarding it was to serve as an Advisory Board Member, and I felt that this would be a wonderful way to contribute and be more involved.
What is your professional role and how do you hope to use your perspective?
I am an associate attorney at Morgan Lewis and work with employers on labor and employment matters. In my practice, I strive to view things from all angles and points of views, understand the big and small pictures, and the short and long term implications of my potential advice and decisions. I hope to bring these attributes to the table.
What would you like to accomplish as an Advisory Board member?
At this stage, I look forward to learning more about California’s civil legal aid system, the areas of legal needs of low-income Californians, and how those interact with OneJustice’s different initiatives. I also look forward to utilizing my network of professional and personal contacts to garner more support for and involvement with OneJustice.
Tell us about yourself – interesting facts or what do you like to do for fun?
I love to travel, and I am fortunate to have had opportunities to do so since I was young. I have been to 30 countries, and, when it’s safe and permitted, Japan, England, and Columbia are at the top of my list.