Flamingo Leadership: Standing Tall for Social Justice With Amy Petkovsek

Amy Petkovsek, Esq., is the Executive Director of the Community Law Center, Maryland's only legal services organization dedicated solely to strengthening neighborhoods and the nonprofit sector. With prior roles at Maryland Legal Aid, including as Deputy Chief Counsel, she boasts an extensive background in child advocacy and appellate law. Committed to empowering local communities and innovative leadership, she serves on several committees and boards, such as the University of Maryland, Carey School of Law, and Movable Feast. Amy is known for her "Flamingo Leadership" concept, which emphasizes the importance of standing out and supporting teamwork within the legal field.

In this episode…

Amy Petkovsek’s journey as an attorney began with a desire to help others, leading her to roles that focused on serving those in need, particularly children and underrepresented groups. But in a world where legal assistance can be hard to access, how did she tackle the challenges underserved communities face? 

Legal representation not only solves individual matters but also shapes entire communities. Amy highlights how the rest of us might be unaware of the benefits derived from community law. She shares the impact of the Community Law Center’s legal advocacy and community engagement, from supporting vulnerable populations to advising neighborhoods on how to navigate school closures and property issues. Amy's dedication shines through as she talks about the responsibility of lawyers toward societal betterment and how her career path led her to impactful, mission-driven work. She discusses the importance of legal advocates focusing on communal well-being rather than individual cases. With an eye on the future, Amy describes the potential for remote courts and other innovative solutions to provide wider access to the justice system.

In this episode of 15 minutes, Chad Franzen hosts Amy Petkovsek, the Executive Director of the Community Law Center, about harnessing the law to transform communities. Amy outlines the impact of effectively listening to and legally empowering neighborhoods, innovative projects like “tools to save our schools,” and the importance of lawyers in promoting social justice. She also shares insights into the evolving legal landscape, including remote court sessions and AI’s role in broadening legal access.