St. John’s Community Comes Together to Offer Legal Guidance to Low-Income New Yorkers

Ruth Calaman ’98 was excited to return to St. John’s Law, where she once dreamed of becoming a criminal defense attorney for people who couldn’t afford legal representation. Though her career path ultimately led to financial services—and to her current role as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Evercore Wealth Management—Calaman has remained deeply committed to public interest values, advancing them through nonprofit service and pro bono work. So, as she settled in for the Law School’s daylong Pro Bono Working Lunch, she felt right at home.

Hosted by the Law School’s Public Interest Center, Public Interest Law Students Association, Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate Law, and Alumni Association Alumnae Leadership Council Chapter, the annual event is part of a series of programs marking the National Celebration of Pro Bono in October. Dozens of alumni and students come together in small teams to provide legal support to low-income New Yorkers through the American Bar Association’s Free Legal Answers Program, which operates locally through the New York State Bar Association as New York Free Legal Answers.

“The Pro Bono Working Lunch is one of the many ways our students and alumni live out St. John’s commitment to justice and service year-round,” says Public Interest Center Director Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz. “It’s a strong affirmation of why we do this work: because with the privilege of a legal education comes the duty to use it for good. Pro bono is how we transform that duty into action—and how we keep justice at the heart of what we do.”

View the 2025 Pro Bono Working Lunch Photo Album

Responding to questions submitted online, this year’s participants worked on issues related to employment, immigration, constitutional rights, estates and probate, tenant’s rights, and more. Calaman’s team for the day included St. John’s Law students Andrew Jacobs ’28, Nethya Samarakkodige ’28, and Jianglin Wang ‘26LL.M. As they researched, discussed, and responded to their assigned questions, they benefitted from insights Calaman offered as a seasoned attorney and as a participant in last year’s inaugural Pro Bono Working Lunch.

“It was great to partner with Ruth,” Samarakkodige says. “The experience affirmed the value and real-life impact public interest work can have. We reflected on the importance of addressing legal matters with empathy, considering the heavy burden certain legal situations can place on vulnerable communities. It reinforced the idea that it’s imperative to have empathy, compassion, and sensitivity to be an effective advocate.”

Jacobs also appreciated his time with Calaman. “It was very special to see how an actual attorney would approach giving legal advice,” he shares. “It was sort of like seeing how a future version of myself might tackle those same issues. I’ll also carry forward the idea that diversity and teamwork is our strength as public interest law students and lawyers. Working in a team will always provide new avenues and answers to problems.”

The collaboration was equally rewarding for Calaman, who found the diverse life stories of the law students at her table and their motivations for being there especially meaningful. “I always enjoy hearing the students’ impressions of law school and the legal profession,” she says. “One of the benefits from the day is learning from each other with the common goal of helping others.”

With that goal in mind, and inspired by her Pro Bono Working Lunch experience, Samarakkodige looks forward to continuing her legal education and forging her professional identity. “I hope to center public interest values in my legal career by approaching my responsibilities with a commitment to justice and compassion,” she says. “I intend to consider not only the legal implications of my work, but also the broader human impact and potential for positive change that effective advocacy can create.”

“This exciting initiative reflects what is so special about St. John’s Law—we foster a learning environment that extends beyond the classroom, built on collaboration and a deep commitment to meeting community needs,” says Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum. Many thanks to all our 2025 Pro Bono Working Lunch participants for making this day of community service and impact such a success. We’re especially grateful to Farrell Fritz, P.C. for generously sponsoring the event, and to Cornerstone Land Abstract for supporting the onsite notarization station where students notarized their pro bono affidavits for the New York Bar.