When she started volunteering with SEOLS and LASC, Ruby Brown knew her experience as an immigrant would help her connect with her low-income clients. Though her background did help her establish a natural rapport with her clients, she also says she was struck by how much the needs of low-income Ohioans transcended her notions of what it meant to be poor and underserved. All demographics—regardless of age, race or ethnicity—are affected, a realization Ruby says has helped her understand her clients and her community better.
Originally from Tanzania, Ruby has lived in the US for more than 20 years. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Computer Science from Franklin University and her law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul.
Ruby was initially involved in pro bono work with SEOLS and LASC as a law student, drawing inspiration from the work of dedicated legal aid attorneys like Dianna Parker and Kayla Callahan. Once she passed the bar, Ruby says, continuing to work with SEOLS and LASC felt like the natural thing to do. Ruby describes her pro bono experience as both personally and professionally rewarding. She says her time volunteering has given her a better understanding of the issues facing Ohioans and helps her feel more connected to the community. And as an attorney early in her career, working with SEOLS and LASC staff attorneys and other pro bono volunteers has provided her with a unique opportunity to work with experienced lawyers who are quick to provide invaluable guidance and mentorship.
When asked what advice she has for potential volunteers or pro bono attorneys who have limited free time and are hesitant to become involved with SEOLS and LASC, Ruby espouses a give-what-you-can philosophy. “The need for legal aid is huge,” she says. “Volunteering even for two hours per month will be better than nothing.”
In both her professional and personal life, Ruby believes strongly in the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. At its most basic level, Ruby says a commitment to DEI “simply means treating everyone as you would like and expect to be treated, period.” With the right spirit, she says, dedication to DEI will lead not just to fairness and justice, but ultimately, an increase in economic prosperity.
When Ruby is not volunteering, she enjoys traveling domestically and abroad with her family, cooking, reading and socializing. And when she has a few moments of downtime, she has been enjoying watching legal drama shows like Suits, Boston Legal, Ally McBeal, How to Get Away with Murder and The Practice.
We thank Ruby for volunteering!
