Community Legal Aid SoCal holds monthly Expungement Clinics on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm in partnership with UCI Law School student volunteers. At the clinics, we assist clients with drafting and editing their personal declarations to add to their expungement petitions. We also help them with gathering, organizing, and editing their supporting documents and character letters.
Shirly Sun of MBK Chapman and Jeff Tsair of Bowman and Brooke LLP have volunteered at several expungement clinics and bring their legal knowledge and skills to help our clients. They are positive, helpful, and diligent in assisting us at the clinics. They also serve as role models for the UCI Law School students, sharing their legal expertise, career experiences, and general knowledge of the law. We are grateful to them for lending their time and expertise in service to our clients.
-Rose Mauro, CLA SoCal Staff Attorney, Expungement Clinic
Shirley Sun: My passion for pro bono work began in 2019 while I was pursuing my law degree at Northwestern University. During my time in Chicago, I volunteered with multiple legal aid and nonprofit organizations, gaining a deep understanding of the impact of legal assistance on underserved communities. After I relocated to California in 2022, I’ve continued my commitment to serving those in need and to make a positive difference with my legal skills.
Jeff Tsair: I was always interested in law for the cognitive challenge; every case is different and requires a unique solution. I also value the utility of a legal background, from resolving personal disputes to building a career to helping my fellow community members. My background is in general civil litigation, mostly involving insurance defense, real estate, personal injury, product liability, and contract disputes. CLA SoCal gave me my first taste of criminal law.
Q: What prompted you to volunteer for CLA SoCal?
Shirly: When I moved to Orange County in 2022 and sat for the California bar exam, I made a personal commitment to engage more deeply in pro bono work once I passed the bar (and I did pass). During my search for pro bono opportunities, I discovered CLA SoCal and was immediately impressed by the organization’s extensive network of sponsors and its dedication to providing accessible legal services to all. Being able to attend the in-person clinic was particularly appealing, as it allowed me to interact directly with clients, fostering meaningful, face-to-face engagements that I find incredibly rewarding.
Jeff: I view a law license as the closest we can get to superpowers in the real world. And if we have superpowers, don’t we need to use our superpowers for good, at least some of the time? If Spider-Man can find time to save people after school, I can find time to use my “super powers” to help my community after work. With that in mind, I drove past CLA SoCal one day and decided to call and offer my services. I’ve been volunteering there ever since.
Q: Please tell us about your experience volunteering at CLA SoCal and specifically the Expungement Clinic? How is it a good fit for you?
Shirly: The pro bono coordinator got me in touch with Ms. Rose Mauro, the supervising attorney at the Expungement Clinic. Rose was extremely welcoming and provided clear guidance on our tasks. In my full-time jobs, I focus on civil litigation matters, so working on expungement cases offers a new and refreshing opportunity.
I’ve talked to clients seeking to expunge the records of their past convictions to secure better employment opportunities, housing, and to clear their names. During our 1-2 hours of conversations, we delve into the positive actions they’ve taken since their last conviction, including their education, employment, personal life, community service, and rehabilitation efforts. We help draft declarations supporting their expungement petitions. All the clients I’ve worked with have made substantial progress and have strived to improve their lives and those of their families. As a young lawyer, gaining their trust and hearing their stories is invaluable. It’s inspiring to see people given a second chance to move beyond their past and build better futures for themselves and their loved ones.
Additionally, CLA SoCal collaborated with UCI law students who have provided essential assistance in filling out the relevant judicial forms for applications to ensure comprehensive support to the clients.
Jeff: It’s great. I get to have a one-on-one session with someone who has turned their life around. I get to know the client and help tell their story so that they can reintegrate into society. This allows me to combine my legal skills with my desire to help those in need.
Q: What do you personally get out of your pro bono service?
Shirly: The fulfillment of my ability to help others and knowing that there are individuals and entities in our community who are selflessly trying to make the legal resources available to all, not just the one with wealth.
Jeff: There are few things more psychologically rewarding than helping those in need. Seeing these people benefit from our services is always the highlight of my week.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to add?
Shirly: The transformative power of pro bono work is not just for the clients but also for the volunteers. It’s an opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives and to experience the profound satisfaction that comes from helping others overcome obstacles with our legal expertise. It’s a deeply enriching experience that reinforces my aspiration to see justice served.
Jeff: I love baking. Come on by and I’ll bake us some cookies.
