Open to opportunities

Lara Eilhardt

@laraeilhardt

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Experienced legal counsel specializing in pro bono and healthcare law.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek a role that allows me to continue advocating for underserved communities while fostering collaboration and innovation in legal services.

I am a dedicated legal professional with extensive experience in pro bono work and healthcare law. Currently, I serve as Senior Counsel for the Office for Access to Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice, where I co-chair the Federal Government Pro Bono Program. My role involves providing strategic leadership and mentorship on a wide range of pro bono matters, including housing, family law, and civil rights. I have successfully managed relationships with numerous legal services organizations and federal agencies, ensuring compliance and best practices in pro bono partnerships.

Previously, I worked as a Senior Attorney for Medical Legal Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where I led regulatory and litigation matters for significant grant programs aimed at assisting homeless veterans. My background also includes experience at King & Spalding, where I specialized in healthcare law and received a Pro Bono Service Award for my work with immigrant clients. I am passionate about using my legal expertise to advocate for those in need and to foster a culture of pro bono service within the legal community.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Pro Bono Program Senior Counsel

Current

U.S. Department of Justice

Feb 2023 - Present (2 years 4 months)

Co-chaired and managed the Federal Government Pro Bono Program and DOJ Pro Bono Committee, providing strategic leadership on pro bono issues. Provided legal counsel and mentorship on pro bono matters across various legal areas and cultivated relationships with legal services organizations and Federal agencies. Identified and resolved potential conflicts of interest, ethics issues, and legal risk w

Pro Bono Management Legal Counsel Program Management Relationship Management Conflict Resolution Legal Ethics Mentoring Legal Research

Senior Attorney for Medical Legal Partnerships

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Jan 2011 - Feb 2023 (12 years 1 month)

Managed regulatory and litigation matters for VA Homeless Veteran grant programs, including pro bono legal services. Implemented legal safeguards for pro bono programs and VA Medical Legal Partnerships, while managing and coordinating a team of 40 attorneys on legal guidance. Counseled programs and policy for immigrant veterans needing legal assistance.

Regulatory Compliance Litigation Management Team Management Legal Guidance Veterans Law Policy Counseling Legal Safeguards

Associate

King & Spalding, LLP

Sep 2008 - Jun 2010 (1 year 9 months)

Specialized in Healthcare and Life Sciences practice, responding to fraud and abuse inquiries and investigations while counseling corporate clients on enforcement actions. Actively engaged in the firm's Pro Bono practice, receiving a Pro Bono Service Award. Managed a team representing juveniles in an immigration case and drafted portions of a habeas petition for a criminal case.

Life Sciences Fraud Investigation Enforcement Immigration Law

Law Clerk

Van Der Hout LLP

Jan 2006 - May 2006 (4 months)

Challenged clients' removal orders to ensure fair application of the law at a boutique immigration firm. Drafted appeals, interpreted Federal immigration laws, and recommended formal legal dispositions in briefs to immigration judges, BIA, and Federal Circuit courts.

Immigration Law Appeals Legal Research

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of California, Berkeley School of Law

Juris Doctor, Law

Activities and societies: East Bay Community Law Center: Board Member, Intern in Health/Immigration Law; Co-Director: California Asylum Representation Clinic; Death Penalty Clinic; Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice (Contributor, Book Review Editor and Article Editor)

Engaged in extensive clinical work, including representing clients in immigration and death penalty cases. Served as Co-Director of the California Asylum Representation Clinic, managing cases and training volunteers. Contributed to the Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice as an editor.

University of Virginia

Bachelor of Arts, Politics

Grade: GPA 3.9

Activities and societies: Lawn Resident; Phi Beta Kappa

Completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Politics. Awarded the Stevenson Award for the best thesis in the major, focusing on immigrants in Norway. Participated in the university's Honors Program.