Our Team

Team

Tim Baran (he/him), New York Justice Initiatives Program Director

Tim Baran is the New York Justice Initiatives Program Director at Pro Bono Net where he oversees the management, strategy, and operations of LawHelpNY and related justice-tech initiatives that empower New Yorkers to resolve their legal problems and strengthen the work of advocates serving them. Tim is a former law firm Library Director, Chief Marketing Officer, and founder of a Continuing Legal Education consultancy. He is a lifelong learner and advocate for public university systems which provided a dynamic education, network, and support during his undergraduate studies in sociology and graduate studies in digital pedagogy and organizational leadership. tbaran@probono.net

Patricia Malone (she/they), New York Justice Initiatives Legal Director

Pat is the Legal Director of New York Justice Initiatives at Pro Bono Net. She leads legal and content strategy for LawHelpNY and across initiatives and programs. Pat has extensive experience working with partners, managing projects, and creating legal content for advocates and impacted communities. Her expertise includes writing "smart" interviews, plain language articles, legal updates, practice guides, and newsletters. She brings together experts to create webinars, podcasts, and other legal training materials for the field. Pat has a deep background in immigration law practice, training, and project management. Prior to LawHelpNY, she was at Pro Bono Net’s Immigration Advocates Network, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network in Washington DC and New York, AYUDA in DC, Proyecto Libertad on the Texas border, and the University of San Francisco School of Law. Though she has lived all over the country, Pat is a New Yorker at heart - growing up outside of Albany, attending SUNY Oneonta, and raising kids and dogs in northern Manhattan. pmalone@probono.net

Yvonne Ngo, New York Justice Initiatives Program Associate

Yvonne Ngo is the Program Associate for the New York Justice Initiatives. Yvonne supports several projects, including state and national programs. Prior to joining Pro Bono Net, Yvonne volunteered for an organization dedicated to helping low-income communities in New York. She is eager to help expand access to justice by connecting those in need of legal help through Pro Bono Net's digital tools and resources. yngo@probono.net

Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz, New York Justice Initiatives Senior Program Manager

Jeanne coordinates, develops and grows state and national digital initiatives that strengthen the work of legal advocates and pro bono attorneys helping communities with their legal problems, including for www.probono.net/ny. She transitioned to her current role after working on Pro Bono Net’s disaster relief initiatives for two years. Before joining Pro Bono Net, Jeanne provided free legal representation and employment discrimination litigation on behalf of low-income LGBT individuals in Puerto Rico and worked as a legal fellow with the Central Alabama Fair Housing Center. Jeanne is the volunteer Vice-Director for the American Bar Association Disaster Legal Services Program, a member of the New York City Bar Association Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee, and an ABA On the Rise Top 40 Young Lawyer. She is bilingual and admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and New Jersey. jortiz@probono.net

Maria Puente, New York Justice Initiatives Volunteer Coordinator

Maria joined Pro Bono Net in July 2023 as the Volunteer Coordinator for the LawHelpNY program. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Psychology and comes from a years-long journey in public mental health – from working with adults in hospital wards to working with children with special needs. She is an enthusiastic proponent of community social support systems as well as DEI improvement efforts. Maria is excited about bringing her skills and experience to the legal non-profit sector and creating a positive impact on individuals and our communities. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new countries and cultures, and spending time with her family. mpuente@probono.net

Wantee Ramkaran, New York Justice Initiatives Program Manager

Wantee joined LawHelpNY in May 2020 as a LiveHelp Program Associate. She received her J.D. from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 2020, and B.A. in Political Science from Queens College, City University of New York in 2017. As a law student, Wantee began volunteering with LawHelpNY in October 2017. As a LiveHelp volunteer, Wantee found her passion for using her law degree to assist disadvantaged individuals in our community and expanding legal access to justice. She is grateful for the opportunity to begin her law career at LawHelpNY. wramkaran@probono.net

Marissa Wallace, AmeriCorps VISTA

Marissa Wallace is the AmeriCorps VISTA member for the New York Justice Initiatives in 2023-2024. She is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and holds a B.S. in Communication Studies with a certification in International Public Relations. Currently pursuing her M.S. in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at New York University, Marissa is passionate about using her expertise to make a positive impact in the legal non-profit sector. With several years of experience in promoting mental health and telehealth services within minority communities in the Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina metropolitan areas, she is eager to expand her skills and contribute to the mission of Pro Bono Net. mwallace@probono.net

Team

Advisory Committee