Volunteer Spotlight: Nicole Fadel

Nicole Fadel is a practice assistant at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. She was honored with a 2024 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award for providing translation services to the Consumer Bankruptcy Project.

How did you get started volunteering with us? 

My firm, Kirkland, partners frequently with the City Bar Justice Center. When I was getting started, there were multiple opportunities to help out. I started small by scanning documents and helping from the sidelines at the Consumer Bankruptcy Project (CBP) clinics. Then, slowly but surely, I started to provide more translation services which helped our clients feel more comfortable sharing their stories with attorneys. The clinics with Ramona and CBP were always informative and very needed. Over time, I also volunteered at some clinics with the Immigrant Justice Project and assisted with translation for asylum cases. I feel like those were particularly impactful for me.

What inspires or motivates you about doing pro bono work? 

The people that need translation services motivate me. It can be intimidating going into a firm environment to give your life story and talk about your case with someone who doesn’t speak your language. However, the services I provide are more than just translation. I think it’s also compassion, and it’s an area that I really wanted to help with – being an intermediary and providing comfort to people. That is what is needed sometimes, especially when people are going through desperate situations. That’s what motivates me to keep going. I feel useful in what little legal help I can provide.

What has been your favorite or proudest moment as a volunteer, or what is a moment that has particularly stood out to you? 

I think the trust that I have received from clients – it’s not taken lightly. I feel very honored to be trusted by the individuals who come in to seek help. They feel very vulnerable, and I get the opportunity to help them. I think that’s what really stands out.

Why do you find this work to be important in our current world? 

People seeking help are in need of compassionate legal assistance, and I want to play my part by doing the best I can to help people. It’s really the least that I can do and it’s just a little thing to give back.

How has doing this work affected you and/or your professional life? 

This work has made me feel very honored. I started volunteering just to help out – I never expected to receive recognition for this work. When the Justice Center offered me a Pro Bono Award last fall, I felt very humbled. Now, I go to work every day and see my little trophy here and have a reminder that I really did something good.

What would you tell someone who hasn’t volunteered with the City Bar Justice Center but is thinking about starting? 

I would say to absolutely do it. The City Bar Justice Center needs more help than just translation. There are so many projects and initiatives, so you could volunteer in several ways. Also, every single person I’ve worked with at the Justice Center is very kind. They love helping hands. You make so many friends and contacts, and you get to experience a world that’s kind of outside your comfort zone. I say go for it!

What song do you currently have on repeat? 

It’s a song from TikTok called “Ordinary” by Alex Warren.

Interested in volunteering? Visit our “Do Pro Bono” page for more information.