Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month August 2015

Racheal Mastel of Kainen Law Group

Racheal Mastel is an associate attorney with the Kainen Law Group. She received her Juris Doctorate in 2009 from the Washburn University School of Law, where she was certified in Family Law. During her time in law school, Rachel represented children and families as a student attorney in the Washburn University Student Clinic Program. She also interned in Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada’s Domestic Violence Project. Upon graduation, she clerked for the Honorable T. Arthur Ritchie before joining a law firm.

Racheal began taking pro bono cases through the Pro Bono Project in 2010 and has been a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer on divorce, custody, children’s abuse & neglect, and appellate cases since that time. Racheal was aware of the importance of pro bono service long before entering law school. Giving back to the community was a value strongly instilled by her parents in and outside of the legal profession. Her stepfather and boss, Ed Kainen, has always been a strong supporter of the Pro Bono Project and she feels lucky to have had the opportunity to work for firms that encourage and allow her involvement with pro bono cases.

When we asked Racheal why she does pro bono work, she said, “I’ve never considered exactly why I do pro bono work, it is simply a part of my practice and always has been. Anyone who knows my family knows that giving back to the community is a value that was taught to my siblings and me by both word and deed. There was never a question of whether or not to give back, merely a question of how to give back. And therefore, when I started practicing there was never a question of whether or not I would take pro bono cases. In fact, I think my first couple of cases ever were pro bono cases.”

Racheal finds all of her pro bono cases to be unique and memorable in their own ways. One of the most memorable was for a father whom she assisted with a divorce and custody matter. The case was unique in that it had sat in limbo for over five years on very vague temporary orders. Racheal was able to get his divorce finalized and help him to reestablish a relationship with his youngest son.

For her outstanding commitment to serving low-income clients in divorce, custody, and abuse & neglect matters, we are honored to name Racheal Mastel as our August 2015 Pro Bono Attorney of the Month.