Going the Extra Mile: Jeff Xu Helps Dozens of New Yorkers with End-of-Life Needs

Jeff Xu was featured in ABA Journal's Members Who Inspire series after receiving the New York State Bar Association’s President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the First Judicial District. The article highlighted his work helping low-income New Yorkers who are 60 and older with their wills and other life planning documents through the Volunteers of Legal Service Senior Law Project, even traveling to meet clients wherever they're most comfortable.

Abja Midha, the executive director of Volunteers of Legal Service, noted Jeff's willingness to travel for his clients "really shows Jeff’s dedication to working with this population. He will take time out of his day, traveling both ways, to meet clients in their homes to make sure they get their legal needs met. It’s truly commendable."

Jeff has made volunteering a priority throughout his life, volunteering at a hospital in high school and tutoring inmates at Baltimore's city jail while he was in college. To date, he has provided more than 750 hours of pro bono service while at Morrison Foerster.

After Xu was promoted to partner last year, he took a more active role in recruiting and training other lawyers at MoFo to represent clients through the Volunteers of Legal Service Senior Law Project. He expanded his work with the organization in other ways, including by organizing execution clinics at the firm so multiple clients can finalize their life planning documents at one time. He also joined its board of directors and is working more on fundraising.

“It was sold to me as you have to understand your privilege and your fortunate position,” said Jeff. “You can’t take all that for granted, and you need to pay it forward.”

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