June 2022: Dave Pasti

Dave Pasti truly helps put the “Advocate” in Good Samaritan Advocates. Licensed to practice law in DC, Virginia and Maryland, Dave has faithfully served with GSA since 2013, sharing his expertise in family law matters with GSA clients who would not otherwise have access to justice.

Dave has a long history of leadership with GSA. Pre-COVID, he served as co-clinic director and co-founder of GSA’s clinic at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, which started in 2017 and served incarcerated individuals regularly until the pandemic began in 2020 (since the pandemic, GSA has not been able to reopen clinics at the prison).

Since 2013, Dave has regularly served as a volunteer at the Covenant Life Clinic. And earlier this year, Dave also had the opportunity to serve as the interim Director of Legal Services at GSA’s sister organization, Christian Legal Aid of DC.

Please enjoy this opportunity to get to know Dave, including why he loves having the opportunity to serve with Christian lawyers through GSA!

On his motivation for serving with GSA

In 2013, as my kids were getting older, I had a goal of getting involved with pro bono work, preferably with other believers. Lo and behold, I was told about GSA. (This was) definitely an answer to prayer as God had put this on my heart and directed me to GSA.

A little bit about his origins and family

Originally from Illinois, our family moved to Rockville, MD when I was 8 years old. I have basically been in the DMV since 1968, except for going to law school in San Diego from 1985-1988. I have been a solo practitioner since 1992, focusing primarily on Criminal/Traffic Defense, Personal Injury and Estate Planning and Probate.

My wife Marie and I have been married for 30 years, and we raised 3 boys who are currently 28, 26 and 22. Jon, the oldest, is married and is living in Richmond. He is a Spanish interpreter and has recently been teaching Spanish in high school. Michael, age 26, is in the Navy as an EOD Technician (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) and is currently stationed in Guam. Sam, age 22, just graduated from Virginia Tech in Mechanical Engineering and will soon begin his career with MC Dean in Tyson’s Corner.

On the role of the church in serving or reaching out to those without access to justice

Every believer should use their gifts and talents as God leads them, but every believer can certainly pray for those who find themselves in need to legal services. Sometimes the church can be overwhelmed with other issues, but it would be good if the church could become familiar with the resources that are available (like GSA).

On GSA’s impact on his own life as a solo family law practitioner

As a solo practitioner, I am not around many Christian attorneys during my normal interactions during the day, so this has been a real blessing to be in a community of believers who are serving God in providing legal services.

I attended University of Maryland undergrad and majored in Criminology, and then attended Cal Western School of Law in San Diego. I actually became a believer after law school, (and) I began to question whether God wanted me to be a lawyer. The answer came quickly as it became clear to me that we need more Christian Lawyers. For years, I was involved with a small group of Christian Lawyers in Montgomery County through Christian Legal Society.  But we never grew larger than 6-7 lawyers. (Until I met GSA), I didn’t realize there was this network of Christian lawyers out there!

Dave’s encouragement to young people interested in volunteering with GSA

For a young attorney or law student, you have the opportunity to be around seasoned Christian lawyers. This provides the opportunity to learn by watching actual client consultations, and hopefully to see how different those consultations are compared to an ordinary lawyer/client interview.

On the ways GSA makes Montgomery County and its surrounding communities a better place 

Lawyers generally do not have the best reputation. By serving our community, our residents get to see there are lawyers who care. (Moving forward), my desire is to focus on the Advocate part of GSA by developing a network of lawyers who are willing to take cases on a pro bono or low bono basis. Also, my hope is that we can work towards having a staff attorney(s) who can take on representation of some of the clients who need further assistance beyond the clinic. 

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.