Chelsea Kehrer has been awarded the eleventh annual Kathi Pugh Award for Pro Bono Service in recognition of her commitment to community service through legal work. As a litigation associate at the firm’s Palo Alto office, Chelsea has focused on pro bono efforts since the start of her legal career.
Since joining the firm in October 2021, Chelsea quickly became involved in pro bono cases. She noted, “MoFo was a natural fit for me after law school because of the Firm’s commitment to pro bono work, particularly for causes that I believe in.” One of her early assignments was the case Cayla J. v. State of California, which concerned educational access for students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chelsea played a crucial role in the Cayla J. case, which aimed to secure assistance for disadvantaged schoolchildren facing educational setbacks due to the pandemic. Earlier this year, the team achieved a landmark settlement that allocates at least $2 billion to help students recover lost academic ground and close existing opportunity gaps.
Her colleagues have praised Chelsea for her outstanding legal skills, advocacy, and dedication. When senior team members were busy with other responsibilities, Chelsea took on heightened roles that exceeded the expectations for a junior associate.
Chelsea’s ongoing dedication to pro bono work is reflected in the significant hours she has accumulated in her first three years at the firm. In addition to her legal work, she volunteers at harm-reduction organizations and advocates for individuals dealing with substance abuse issues, embodying the values of Kathi Pugh.
As the 2024 recipient of the Kathi Pugh Award, Chelsea has the opportunity to direct $10,000 to a nonprofit legal services organization. She plans to donate $5,000 to Public Counsel, a co-counsel in the Cayla J. case, and the remaining $5,000 to the Abolitionist Law Center, which focuses on criminal justice issues in Pennsylvania.
The Kathi Pugh Pro Bono Service Award was established by MoFo in 2013 to honor Kathi Pugh’s contributions to the firm’s pro bono initiatives upon her retirement. The award celebrates the commitment and compassion that Kathi exemplified and recognizes lawyers like Chelsea who continue this important legacy. Previous winners include Andrew Kissner, Camila Tapernoux, Chris Gloria, Tushna Gamadia, Mercedes Samavi, Adam Hunt, Christian Andreu-von Euw, Ruth Borenstein, Natalie Fleming Nolen, and Fredo Silva.