Adrián Palma, Pro Bono Champion
Adrián Palma stands as a shining example of how to advance access to justice, leveraging technology and collaboration to bridge the gap for historically marginalized communities. As the Pro Bono Program Manager for Microsoft, with a focus on the intersection of digital transformation and AI, Adrián's journey is not just a professional pursuit, but a personal mission deeply rooted in his own experiences.
Adrián's story begins in Chihuahua, Mexico, before immigrating to El Paso, Texas, at the age of six. Growing up undocumented, Adrián's journey mirrors the struggles of many in the immigrant community. Despite the challenges, his resolve to enact change led him to study East Asian Studies and Mandarin Chinese at Cornell University.
After graduation, Adrián set his sights on Washington D.C., driven by a passion for immigration reform. His journey led him to Microsoft, where he found a platform to advocate for access to justice. With a growing justice crisis in the United States, Adrián's role focuses on using digital transformation to scale the delivery of pro bono legal services. This has allowed him to tap into his personal joy of taking technology and helping others understand how simple it can be to help others with it. This subsequently has led him to find ways to empower other people to use technology and revamp their own organizations and workflows to help scale their operations.
A deep commitment to giving back is at the heart of Adrián's work as part of Microsoft’s Pro Bono Program. Through this network, Adrián connected with the Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC), igniting a partnership to expand access to justice.
Adrián's involvement with LCYC has been transformative for the organization. Adrián has helped streamline processes, increase the accuracy of pleading production, and make legal assistance more accessible. Leveraging Microsoft's technology and working with a private law firm, Davis Wright Tremaine (DWT), Adrián developed digital tools to streamline the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) clinic.
One of Adrián's most impactful contributions is the semi-automated pleading production program he developed for SIJS applications. By simplifying the process, Adrián could automate approximately 360 text fields and reduce the time it takes to complete court pleadings from hours to eleven seconds, empowering pro bono volunteers to serve more effectively.
Adrián's message is clear: anyone can make a difference. Whether you're an attorney or a tech enthusiast, there's a place for you in the fight for justice. With 92% of civil legal issues faced by low-income Americans going unresolved each year, the need for volunteers has never been greater.
As Adrián reflects on his journey, he calls upon others to heed the call to action. By leveraging our resources and skills, we can all play a part in closing the justice gap. Adrián's story reminds us that change begins with a single step – and with each volunteer, we move closer to a more just and equitable society.