July 2, 2025 – After nearly 30 years in corporate and securities law, Sarah A. Johnson found herself at a crossroads. She had retired from her role as general counsel and was searching for something meaningful – something different.

“I knew I wanted to stretch and learn new things,” she said. “I didn't want to do something that was just corporate contracts – I’ve done corporate contracts.”

That mindset led Johnson to explore opportunities through the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Pro Bono Portal, where she connected with Legal Action of Wisconsin.

Today, she is a weekly volunteer at the Milwaukee Justice Center’s Consumer Debt Defense Clinic and the recipient of the 2025 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award. Her client-facing work, paired with her systems-thinking approach, is reshaping how legal aid is delivered in Wisconsin.

Transforming Legal Aid with Technology

While Johnson began with no background in litigation, she quickly found her place by shadowing experienced volunteers and applying skills from her corporate career. “One of the things I’ve been doing for Legal Action is to try to automate some processes,” she said. “In my former life as general counsel, I spent a lot of time trying to create efficient workflows.”

Her innovations now support multiple Legal Action of Wisconsin clinics by automating tasks like client file creation, note-taking, motion drafting, and correspondence. These tools are freeing up time for lawyers and paralegals to do what matters most – work directly with clients. “Now I can automate [a task], take it off their plate, and frankly, they can spend the time with clients face-to-face solving problems.”

The Benefits of Getting Involved

Johnson is passionate about encouraging other attorneys to try pro bono work in whatever way fits their life. “When I had kids at home and a very busy career, my pro bono might be answering one of the Free Legal Answers that the Bar has – one hour of work in the evening on your own time.”

For attorneys considering pro bono but unsure where to begin, she offers a simple perspective: “Lawyers shouldn't be afraid.... It can mean so many different things, and you just kind of have to keep your eyes open and be willing to give it a shot.”

She also emphasizes the personal benefits: “Every time I go into the clinic, I learn something new. I’ve been able to stretch in ways I had no idea I was going to even try.”

Lessons from a Career of Service

Looking back, Johnson sees a missed opportunity earlier in her career. “Had I known 20 years ago that some of the work I do now I could have done then – I thought a lot of the pro bono, especially for a transactional lawyer, didn’t fit,” she said. “But now, I would say the biggest lesson I’ve learned is you really just have to give it a shot.”

And for those wondering where to start, Johnson recommends the Pro Bono Portal as a first step: “Sometimes you don't even know what the opportunities are... There are lots of different skill sets needed, all over Wisconsin.”

Giving Back – and Moving Forward

Whether helping a client through a debt issue or automating a process that saves hours of staff time, Johnson’s work exemplifies how pro bono service can evolve across a legal career. “If you're looking to develop skills, learn new things, meet amazing people – both attorneys and new clients – it’s just a really great opportunity.”