2021-November-12

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Tanjeev Thandi: The Power of Pro Bono Work

BY KRYSTAL CHENG · GLOBAL EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS · UNITED STATES

For Technology Acquisitions counsel Tanjeev Thandi, powering an inclusive future for all means advocating for justice for all. That’s why Pro Bono Month in October 2021 — a time that celebrates the thousands of professionals who donate their time and services to those in need — was particularly meaningful to her.

Tanjeev (left) and Reyhan (middle) at an Eviction Defense clinic in 2019.

“As a lawyer, pro bono work is my opportunity to expand justice, advocate for others, and positively change lives where I can. It’s why I became a lawyer in the first place.”

How it started

Tanjeev was born and raised in San Jose, California, and grew up the youngest of three siblings.
“I have a sister who’s nine years older and a brother who’s almost 2 years older. Being the youngest, I learned at an early age how to prove that I was right and to speak up for myself.”

Tanjeev later discovered that she wanted to speak up for others, so she continued her studies at Syracuse University where she earned her law degree.

How it’s going

Tanjeev started working at Cisco in 2019 in Technology Acquisitions. But because of her passion for helping those in need, she also co-chairs the Cisco Pro Bono committee with Reyhan Bilici.

Together, she and Reyhan collaborate with non-profit organizations across the globe to see where employees can get involved in issues related to social justice, human rights, immigration, domestic violence, child advocacy, and more.

Thanks to their work, nearly 250 Cisco lawyers are actively sharing their expertise in pro bono causes they care about using their Time2Give hours.

Tanjeev and the Technology Acquisitions team at the Gender Marker and Name Change Clinic in 2019.

But for Tanjeev, pro bono work is more than just volunteering. She says, “At Cisco, we’ve always been encouraged to use our unique skill set in law to give back to our community. It really drives home the idea that this is not only part of our duty as lawyers, but also, it’s a part of our culture at Cisco.”

For Tanjeev, one cause that was particularly memorable for her was when she helped domestic violence victims obtain visas to the United States. “I will always remember the time when I got to serve as a volunteer attorney and Punjabi translator for an Indian woman and her children who were seeking asylum here in the U.S. They were so scared, but comforted by the ability to tell their story in their native tongue.”

She adds, “It really hit home for me as an Indian American to advocate and be a voice for someone constantly forced to suppress their own.”

What’s next

Since Tanjeev is a new mom, she’s also passionate about serving in clinics that help foster youth. But now, she hopes to offer more than just traditional legal aid.

“One big problem that foster children face is that their personal data is stored all over the place, which makes them vulnerable to identity theft. This is why we’re going to expand our pro bono work beyond legal services to technological services as well,” she shares.

“I think it’ll be great to see what our Cisco tools and platforms can do for these organizations in need.”

Here’s what you can do to help

You don’t need to be a lawyer to participate in pro bono work.

Tanjeev explains, “I love doing pro bono work because it gives me a greater purpose and allows me to be proximate to the issues that face the communities where we live and work.”

“I’ve found that what I can do in a couple hours or days can change people’s entire lives,” she adds. “But I want people to know that pro bono isn’t limited to just lawyers — anyone can get involved and find opportunities to utilize their unique expertise.”

If you would like to help, you can always use Time2Give hours to volunteer your skills. And visit the Legal Pro Bono Program SharePoint page to learn how you can get involved with pro bono work at Cisco. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making an impact.

If you or a family member are in need of legal aid, visit the Employee Assistance Program page.