Pro Bono Spotlight: Attorney Ashlyn Dowd

Attorney Ashlyn Dowd participated in Mirick O’Connell’s Summer Associate Program in 2019, and in October 2020, she joined the firm as an associate in the Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group. Attorney Dowd provides legal advice to public and private employers regarding human resources issues, including the hiring and termination of employees, leaves of absence, disciplinary matters and reductions in force. In addition, she drafts employee handbooks, personnel policies and all types of employment-related agreements.

Attorney Ashlyn Dowd started volunteering with Community Legal Aid in 2021. One of her first cases remedied an erroneous $48,000 overpayment amount from the Department of Unemployment Assistance for a UMass Memorial patient.

During the height of the pandemic, a UMass Memorial patient left her job to take care of her adult daughter who has a heart condition and significant disabilities. The patient later received a notice from the Department of Unemployment Assistance stating she owed $48,000 as her eligibility for benefits could not be verified. The patient made many attempts to contact DUA and verify her wages to no avail. Her benefits had completely halted and the family of three was struggling to survive on $800 a month through her daughter’s social security benefits. Attorney Dowd zealously stepped in and worked with the patient to resolve the error made by DUA. After essential records were provided to DUA, the patient’s benefits were reinstated and overpayment removed. We are so grateful to Attorney Dowd for her pro bono service and representing this patient during a challenging time. This outcome had a positive outcome on the health of the patient and her family.
Thank you, Attorney Dowd!