Pro Bono Spotlight: Shenna Johnson

By Ellie Eimer

Shenna Johnson grew up in a small town about an hour outside of Richmond, Virginia. Although she didn’t know any lawyers, she always knew she wanted to become one, she said. 

“I was a first generation college student,” Johnson said. “I think that much of my desire to become an attorney was innate. I truly believe it was a purpose of mine, something I could do in my life so that I could use my skill set to help those in need.”

Shenna got a job offer with Skadden straight out of law school. Before starting full-time, she took a Public Interest Law Initiative fellowship and worked with Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

During her time as a fellow, Johnson worked with the equitable housing team, which focused on systemic litigation and advocacy combatting housing barriers in Chicago. She also worked on voting rights issues such as automatic voter registration and unjust prosecution of voter fraud. 

“The work of Chicago Lawyers’ Committee aligned with my values,” Johnson said. “It was a great experience to be able to use my legal training to contribute to that work.”

But even after Johnson’s fellowship ended, she wanted to continue doing pro bono work with Chicago Lawyers’ Committee from her new position at Skadden. So when Erica Splanger Raz, Senior Counsel and Director of Pro Bono Relations, reached out to Johnson about an opportunity to help Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (GECDC), Johnson gladly accepted. 

GECDC is a nonprofit that provides resources and training for entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Illinois, who are typically in the first stages of their business. Through workforce and real estate development, the nonprofit aims to rebrand, rebuild, and revitalize Englewood, said Derrick Warren, Executive Director of GECDC.

“[Englewood] was a vibrant community,” Warren said. “Unfortunately, due to disinvestment, systemic racism and barriers, many companies left.”

Derrick Warren grew up on the south side of Chicago. As a young child, his parents instilled in him the importance of service. He and his family would volunteer at food pantries in the Englewood community. Last year, Warren helped lead GECDC in helping over 450 entrepreneurs. 

Watch to learn more about Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (GECDC)

“We don’t turn anyone away. For me it’s all about impact, how can I be more impactful with the time that I have.”

In the past, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee has provided pro bono attorneys to help GECDC in drawing up leases for their real estate properties. Most recently, Johnson stepped in to help GECDC with updating their board bylaws and assisted with their conflict of interest statements. 

“Shenna provided a wonderful presentation on policies and procedures of a board, ” Warren said. “She was tremendous. If we didn’t have an attorney to help us with that, we would be lost.”

In addition to helping GECDC, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee has also been able to help the individual small business owners served by the nonprofit.

Pro bono lawyers have gone to GECDC and sat in for a few hours at a time to answer any questions clients have about owning a small business, such as how to establish an LLC. 

“Not only are the attorneys helping a nonprofit, but they are [helping] small business owners move their mission forward.” Warren said. “Chicago Lawyers’ Committee ensures that our clients have access to the best, proper legal training.”