Championing Change: The Multifaceted Roles of Mission-Driven Lawyers

Championing Change: The Multifaceted Roles of Mission-Driven Lawyers

An article published by the Harvard Law School explores the careers of mission-driven lawyers, highlighting their diverse roles in legal, regulatory, and ethical contexts and showcasing how they balance traditional in-house tasks with their organizations’ core missions.

At the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Vickie Patton, General Counsel and Head of the U.S. Clean Air Program, exemplifies a career driven by environmental advocacy. With a background in hydrology and a commitment to public interest law, Patton’s journey reflects her dedication to preventing environmental harm. Her role at EDF involves not only legal strategies and litigation but also community engagement and policy change, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of her position.

Nicole Greenidge-Hoskins, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the HRC Foundation, brings a lifelong commitment to justice and equity. Growing up during apartheid in Southern Africa shaped her dedication to advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Her work involves both corporate legal tasks and strategic advocacy, balancing routine legal work with the dynamic demands of managing advocacy organizations.

Ricardo Castro, Vice President, General Counsel, and Board Secretary at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), emphasizes the crucial role of philanthropy in social change. His extensive experience in nonprofit law highlights the complexity of governance, compliance, and policy in large foundations. Castro’s work is driven by a commitment to health equity and dismantling structural racism, aligning closely with RWJF’s mission.

Together, these stories illustrate the varied paths mission-driven lawyers can take in campaigning for change. Whether through direct legal services, strategic litigation, or philanthropic governance, each lawyer’s role is integral to their organization’s mission. Their careers underscore the importance of aligning professional work with personal values and the impact that dedicated legal professionals can have on social justice and advocacy efforts.