2023 Unsung Legal Heroes: Phyllis Roden

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Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

At Taft Stettinius & Hollister, at least where administrative support is concerned, Phyllis Roden is the pro bono queen.

Roden started at Taft 17 years ago, when it was still known as Briggs & Morgan. At first, she supported the first executive director of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, Seema Shah. (Diversity in Practice officed at Briggs at the time.) Two years later, when Shah and Diversity in Practice left, Roden began working with the firm’s recruiting function. That’s how she met and began working with Andy Carlson, who led the firm’s pro bono efforts.

“He asked if I would work with him on the pro bono work,” she said. “Mission-driven person that I am, I think everybody should have access to the legal system.”

Roden provided administrative support at first, but her responsibilities soon expanded. When the firm participated in pro bono clinics and Hennepin County mediations, Roden and Carlson hunted for volunteers. “If I met somebody in the elevator, I’d say, ‘I need a volunteer for this. How about you?’” she said.

The firm got many cold calls, and when Roden first started working with Carlson, he handled them. But Carlson mentored well, and soon Roden felt confident to take some calls. Carlson and other attorneys were impressed with her patience, compassion and effectiveness in helping callers.

Roden translated documents and interpreted for clients who spoke French, and even helped an immigration client from the Democratic Republic of Congo find a host family.

Roden also volunteers outside of the firm for the Friends of Loring Park association and a neighborhood safety walking group, among other commitments. But her first love is pro bono work. “It is so rewarding to be able to help people who feel like the legal system isn’t responsive to them or available to them,” she said.