Law Professor Ali Fannon

Law professor awarded for pro bono work

November 20, 2020

University News

Alexandra “Ali” Silva Fannon, director of externships and assistant professor of legal practice in the University of Richmond School of Law, recently received the 2020 George H. Hettrick Leadership Award from the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation.

The award recognizes outstanding efforts, innovative thinking, and the development of pro bono programs designed to reach unmet legal needs.

Fannon was nominated for her outstanding service to the pro bono community in Greater Richmond, including her 10 years of service as the first executive director of the foundation. During her tenure, Ali helped grow the Pro Bono Clearinghouse service to nonprofit organizations and started a program connecting volunteer lawyers with nonprofit organizations.

Fannon joined the UR law faculty in August. The externship program she oversees is a core component of the law school’s experiential education offerings. In her role, Fannon matches students with real-life civil, criminal, in-house, and judicial placements across Richmond. Students earn academic credit while developing skills in the field.

Fannon also previously served as assistant city attorney for the City of Richmond. She is actively involved in the Richmond legal community, including her roles as vice chair of the Virginia State Bar’s Access to Legal Services Committee, member of the Virginia Bar Association’s Pro Bono Council, and member of the Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association’s Judicial Candidate Endorsement Committee.