Every month, we give the Amicus Mundi Award to an outstanding lawyer in our community who exemplifies our shared values of service and dedication to building a more just and equitable society. This month, we are proud to recognize Varoon Modak, whose commitment to public interest law and pro bono has strengthened mission-driven organizations nationwide.
Congratulations, Varoon Modak!
A Commitment To Advancing Nonprofit Missions: For Varoon, the value of pro bono work lies not in billable hours, but in the ripple effect it creates for nonprofits.
A graduate of Georgetown Law, Varoon is currently Counsel at Olson Remcho LLP, where he advises candidates, political committees, and nonprofits on federal and state campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and nonprofit tax law, and other related matters.
“The biggest advantage of pro bono work is the unique combination of skills that you can provide as an attorney, particularly for smaller nonprofits who can’t necessarily afford to hire counsel,” says Varoon.
The Challenge: Recognizing the growing risks facing nonprofits, Varoon committed to projects through We The Action, where his expertise could have the greatest impact on organizations addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges. For example, he:
Drafted an agreement for the survivor-support platform Callisto, ensuring secure and responsible data sharing practices.
Advised Vow for Girls, a global initiative to end child marriage, by strengthening its partnerships with local leaders around the world.
The Impact: In each project, Varoon provided clarity and confidence, often going above and beyond, enabling organizations to focus their limited resources on their missions rather than navigating legal risks alone.
“He was exceptional to work with,” says Sarayfah Patridge, Director of Programs and Strategy Engagement at Callisto. “Varoon was meticulous in understanding our needs and thoughtful in applying the information we shared. He developed an MOU template that will serve our organization for years to come.”
The Importance of Pro Bono Work: Despite the demands of his career, Varoon has never wavered in his belief that pro bono is a cornerstone of the legal field. He acknowledges that time can be a barrier, but insists even small commitments make a lasting difference.
He credits platforms like We The Action for bridging the gap between lawyers and nonprofits, making the process simple for attorneys to connect their skills with organizations in need.
“We The Action provides attorneys with meaningful opportunities to make an impact without requiring a significant investment of your time.”
Varoon’s story demonstrates how one lawyer’s expertise can amplify the impact of nonprofits addressing critical issues. To follow in his footsteps and support mission-driven initiatives, sign up for a project today.