Lawrence Savell has practiced as an attorney for over 40 years. He was first introduced to Sanctuary for Families when he started working on a pro bono case with his firm, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), in late 2016. Lawrence recalls working with a “courageous and determined indigenous woman from Central America who was seeking asylum in the U.S.”.
HSF worked with Sanctuary on the case for two years, and after “compelling and poignant testimony of the client, who detailed the horrific abuses she had experienced in her country, and her genuine fear that an order returning her there would result in her suffering further violence and likely death”, the judge granted the asylum claim which was upheld after the government counsel declined cross-examination of the client. Lawrence shared, “It was a tremendous victory for our client, and many in the courtroom (including us) were visibly moved”.
In addition to his impactful work as a pro bono attorney, Lawrence has volunteered for several years doing interview preparation with participants in Sanctuary’s Economic Empowerment Program (EEP). Without fail, Lawrence has volunteered for every date, for both cohorts each year.
Lawrence shares of this experience,
“We provide interview preparation/practice to our clients – brave individuals seeking to return to the work force after suffering and escaping domestic abuse. Over the course of each four-session cycle, and due to the determined efforts of our incredible clients, the progress they make in terms of their interviewing skills and overall optimism and self-confidence is huge. At the beginning, some clients – given their history – can be hesitant, unsure, and insecure, and even sometimes self-pejorative. Over time, however, as their confidence and self-assuredness grow, their performance dramatically improves, and their winning personality, positivity, and even humor become increasingly evident. By the end of the cycle, one would never discern from them the horrors of abuse they had survived before the Program or that they were any different than interview candidates who had not experienced such traumas. To see firsthand their striking progress in effectively conveying their strong qualifications and qualities to potential employers is a tremendous joy”.
Lawrence’s skills and longstanding volunteer commitment has been noticed and so appreciated by the EEP staff as well. Sarah Hayes, Senior Director of Economic Empowerment Programs, shared, “Lawrence has been steadfast, compassionate, and truly dedicated to our mission. He has always been a steady presence in interview prep – always shows up and is willing to be simultaneously flexible and present. We know that change happens not in grand gestures, but in small, consistent acts of care and belief. Lawrence’s service is a testament to that truth and reminds me that empowerment is not a one-time act—it is a process, nurtured by people like him, who choose to show up again and again”.
Lawrence stated,
“I hope that my volunteer service positively supplements all the great work, guidance, and support that Sanctuary’s staff provides their clients, and I hope that my efforts assist in helping the clients achieve the positive outcomes they desire. My work with Sanctuary is some of the most rewarding work I have done in my career”.
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To learn more about Lawrence Savell and his work, please join us on April 9th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pillars of Change.