Michael Terasaki
PRO BONO COUNCIL MANAGER
Michael's (he/him/his) role is to increase the quantity and quality of pro bono legal services across the state, by increasing coordination and collaboration between volunteer lawyer programs and the legal aid network. His position is supported by LFW and hosted at the Eastside Legal Assistance Program in Bellevue.
Michael spent the past years directly representing pro bono and low bono clients, primarily in employment, health insurance denial, disability discrimination, and homeowner foreclosure matters. He has litigated on behalf of hospitals and patients when insurance companies failed to pay for services, and prior to law school, Michael worked in legal technology and data forensics.
Having worked with underserved populations in the Seattle area and in Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane Counties, Michael understands the wide range of challenges facing low-income clients and the organizations that serve them. He strives to reinforce the effectiveness of the Pro Bono Council and develop new and creative ways to strengthen services.
In his free time, Michael enjoys running, biking, playing video games with his children, and brewing beer.
Laura Hannon
Equal Justice Works Fellow
Laura (she/her/hers) is an Equal Justice Works legal fellow with the Pro Bono Council and Dementia Legal Planning Project. Her fellowship is hosted by the Eastside Legal Assistance Program. Laura's fellowship aims to expand the reach of the Dementia Legal Planning project to serve even more clients across the state.
In law school, Laura received an Exceptional Pro Bono Service Award for the hours she spent volunteering at a Philadelphia medical-legal partnership and in the University of Pennsylvania's Custody and Support Advocacy Clinic. Before law school, Laura worked as a campaign manager for a local campaign in Idaho and interned for Washington Senator Patty Murray. She is passionate about advocating for equitable access to quality legal services and understands the importance of a community-centered approach to lawyering.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys baking sweet treats, reading fiction, and walking or running outside (preferably in the sunshine)
Jill Miesner
Pbc and Dementia Legal Planning (DLP) project coordinator
Jill’s (she/her/hers) serves as the Pro Bono Council and Dementia Legal Planning Project Coordinator. Her position is supported by DSHS and hosted at the Eastside Legal Assistance Program in Bellevue.
Her career and passions are focused in law and advocacy. During her time at Washington State University (WSU) she served as a campus fellow with a local advocacy organization, where she founded and led a group focused on expanding and ensuring students’ access to care. While at WSU she also contributed to creating and opening an on-campus food pantry, which now feeds over eleven thousand clients per semester. After graduating she joined a law firm where she gained professional experience and exposure to the legal field, further fueling her interest in law. Before finding her way to the Pro Bono Council she also worked alongside a real estate team to expand her knowledge on marketing. She is excited to be serving clients statewide and contributing to growing the Dementia Legal Planning program.
Jill graduated from Washington State University with a BS in Pre-Law Philosophy and a BS in Sociology. She hopes to continue her education and go to law school someday. In her free time, Jill enjoys playing bass, making pottery or you can find her surfing, or traveling.