Christina Holder, public interest counsel for the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest, was recently recognized for her pro bono work with two prestigious awards: a 2024 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award from the City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) and a 2024 Cornerstone Award in the inaugural Pro Bono Professional category from the Lawyers Alliance for New York.
Holder's practice focuses on advising nonprofits, social enterprises, and low-income entrepreneurs in a range of transactional legal matters, including formation, governance, policy drafting, regulatory compliance, and entity dissolution. This year, she has also focused on advising nonprofits engaged in race equity and DEI work on managing their litigation risks. In addition to her institutional representations, she is also committed to helping low-income individuals access j immigration benefits and preparing life-planning documents for veterans, cancer patients, and others in need. Holder not only represents clients directly, but also plays an integral role recruiting volunteers to assist with the firm's many meaningful corporate pro bono engagements.
Holder's work drafting life-planning documents for clients of CBJC's Cancer Advocacy and Elderlaw programs was recognized by the organization, which provides free civil legal services benefiting approximately 25,000 New Yorkers in need each year. Every year, the organization honors twelve volunteers who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to clients and embody the organization's mission to advance access to justice.
Lawyers Alliance for New York (Lawyers Alliance) honored Holder as the inaugural recipient of its Pro Bono Professional Cornerstone Award for her work with clients on corporate governance issues, waivers and releases, and employment policies. Lawyers Alliance is the leading provider of business and transactional legal services for nonprofit organizations that are improving the quality of life in New York City neighborhoods; it helps nonprofits provide housing, stimulate economic opportunity, improve urban health and education, promote community arts, and operate and advocate for vital programs that benefit low-income New Yorkers of all ages.
Holder has worked in both law firm and civil legal services settings, and has significant experience advising nonprofits, health care providers, and low-income individuals on a range of civil legal issues.
Holder serves as Co-chair of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel's Transactional Working Group where she works with peers across firms to share best practices for providing transactional pro bono services. She is also a member of the City Bar Not-for-Profit Organization's Committee.
About Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest
The Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest embodies the firm's commitment in advancing the public interest and serving communities in need. The center directs the firm's strong pro bono program and other forms of civic and philanthropic engagement. Through these efforts, the center addresses significant social problems and offers meaningful assistance to low-income and other marginalized people, along with the organizations that advocate for and support them.