Krishna Sood, a data and intellectual property attorney at Microsoft, wasn’t new to media law. For nearly five years, she served as counsel for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

But this was the first time she ever sued a city for public records, and the experience was rewarding.

In 2020 and 2021, Melissa Lewis, a reporter for Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, was investigating the disproportionate arrests of homeless people by cities on the West Coast. She wanted records from Oakland, and the city failed to comply with her request in a timely manner.

With Reveal’s full-time attorney pressed on other matters, they decided to try ProJourn, which paired Sood, acting in a pro bono capacity, with experienced California media law attorney Thomas R. Burke, from Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.

With their help, Reveal filed suit, forcing the city to eventually disclose the records Lewis needed for her story, “Handcuffed and Unhoused,” published in December 2021.

Sood said she plans to help more journalists fight for public records pro bono.

“ProJourn was a really wonderful opportunity for me to support the vital work of local and regional journalists and newsgathering organizations,” Sood said.

“The two-in-a-box model, partnering with an attorney from DWT, provided me with the legal support and guidance I needed to assist the client.”

“Knowing that I played even a small part in bringing an important story to light is extremely satisfying.”