By Yvette Machado-Tuinier
Across Nevada, people facing life-or-death legal crises may know where to find a shelter or a food bank. Far fewer know that free legal representation exists.
In a dimly lit office of a women’s advocacy center, a young mother sat clutching a sheet of resources, too overwhelmed to process her next step. Fleeing a violent marriage with two daughters under three—she had no money, no account in her name, no paper trail proving she existed as an independent mother. Against her stood a man with resources, charm, and an attorney.
Before leaving the advocacy office, a social worker said: “Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada may be able to find you an attorney.” This one sentence changed her life.
Intake at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada got her in the door. Attorney April Greene carried justice the rest of the way. Confident, meticulous, and unshakable—Greene’s conviction drowned out every voice that had diminished her—and what came into focus was the woman she could become.
A pro bono attorney gave her the confidence to advocate for herself. Now she advocates for others and raises daughters who know that justice requires someone willing to carry it to those who cannot reach it alone.
This mother is now a law student. She carries her story forward so that no pro bono attorney ever questions whether it matters. Pro bono built the woman writing these words—and she stands as proof of its reach.
About the author
Yvette Machado-Tuinier is a 2L at UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, 2025 Melanie Kushnir Access to Justice Fellow, and 2026 Student Attorney at the UNLV Immigration Clinic. Before any of those titles, she was a recipient of pro bono services through the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.
About the article
This article was originally published in the Communiqué (June/July 2026), the official publication of the Clark County Bar Association.
The articles and advertisements appearing in Communiqué magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the CCBA, the CCBA Publications Committee, the editorial board, or the other authors. All legal and other issues discussed are not for the purpose of answering specific legal questions. Attorneys and others are strongly advised to independently research all issues.
© 2026 Clark County Bar Association (CCBA). All rights reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without written permission from the publisher. Editorial policy available upon request.