Historically, family law cases make up nearly 85 percent of the Volunteer Lawyers
Program, so the need for family law attorneys to provide legal advice and pro bono
work is critical.

That’s why we are appreciative to have John A. Gravina in our ranks. Given that
family law is not John’s typical area of practice (his expertise is in social security
disability cases, estate planning, and probate matters), we are fortunate that John
used our three-part series on family law to bring himself up to speed.

He started volunteering by shadowing in clinics and will move to co-counseling clinics.
John is a great example of someone who is willing to step in where needed, even when
it means learning a new area. John also offered to be on our attorney panel for taking
pro bono cases and is willing to serve in our Adult Guardianship Clinic.

Switching gears is not completely foreign to John. He was in the restaurant business
after earning a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from the
University of Massachusetts. He then headed West — leaving home in Boston was a
bit of a daring move, he says — to take on the challenges of attending law school.

A graduate of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, John soon
opened his own firm and has practiced in Tucson for 33 years. For John, “standing up
to aggression” is the most rewarding part of his career. “However,” he says, “the most
difficult aspect is the trauma and loss in clients’ lives.”

Many of John’s clients note his kindness and uplifting boosts of hope as he helps them
through their legal challenges.

Fortunately for us, John offers this same hope and kindness to our low-income clients
as he helps SALA expand access to justice.