In this episode of Good in Practice, host Caroline Heller sits down with Elizabeth Hadley, a Greenberg Traurig shareholder in the firm's Austin office, to discuss a years-long pro bono legislative effort that culminated in a landmark victory for human trafficking survivors in Texas.
As the pro bono lobbyist for the Lone Star Justice Alliance, Elizabeth worked across multiple legislative sessions to pass a law establishing duress as a defense for victims of human trafficking who were forced to commit crimes by their abusers. The legislation, which was ultimately signed into law following a regular session, a gubernatorial veto, and a rare special session fix, allows survivors to introduce evidence of their history of trauma and exploitation at trial.
Elizabeth and Caroline discuss the coalition-building and bipartisan cooperation that made the bill possible, the story of one survivor whose experience helped drive the effort, and what this work means to Elizabeth personally.
They also reflect on how pro bono legislative work represents an often overlooked but powerful way for lawyers to give back to their communities.