Brenna K. DeVaney

Brenna DeVaney leads Skadden’s global pro bono practice, directing the firm’s strategy, partnerships and delivery of pro bono services across offices worldwide. In this role, she manages the firm’s relationships with leading legal services organizations, nonprofits and other external stakeholders, and works closely with corporate legal departments to design and expand innovative in-house pro bono programs and cross-sector collaborations. She also has extensive experience in large-scale legal mobilization and disaster response, coordinating rapid, high-impact legal efforts in times of crisis.

Ms. DeVaney’s practice reflects a long-standing commitment to access to justice. She represents low-income individuals, including survivors of domestic violence, in family law matters, while also shaping firmwide initiatives that broaden the reach and impact of pro bono services globally.

A recognized leader in the pro bono community, Ms. DeVaney is the founding co-president of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, a coalition of law firms working collectively to address systemic racism. She is also a planner of Pando, a national pro bono leadership summit that brings together leaders across the legal profession to advance collaboration and innovation in pro bono practice.

Ms. DeVaney frequently speaks at national and international events that focus on pro bono leadership, access to justice and law firm-corporate partnerships. She also serves as an adjunct professor at University of Michigan Law School and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

Earlier in her career, Ms. DeVaney was a member of the firm’s Government Enforcement and White Collar Crime Group, where she represented individual and corporate clients in federal and state criminal and regulatory matters and conducted internal investigations.

Ms. DeVaney has been recognized for her service by organizations such as the New York City Bar Justice Center, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, the Legal Aid Society, Sanctuary for Families and the New York Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program.