At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is proud to honor an extraordinary team from Glenn Agre, Partner Olga Lucia Fuentes-Skinner, Associates Samantha Bennett and Colleen Pisasentin, Business Development and Marketing Assistant Lisa Balbin, and former Associate Eric Wang, for their outstanding pro bono advocacy on behalf of a gender-nonconforming survivor from Jamaica.
Just four days before the 2025 presidential inauguration – amid fears of a dramatic shift in immigration policy – the Glenn Agre team achieved a life-changing victory: securing asylum for their client, KB, in a mere 30-minute hearing. The team’s quick, coordinated response showcased their dedication and compassion that define Sanctuary’s Above & Beyond honorees.
When the team took on KB’s case in August 2024, they knew time was not on their side. KB, a young survivor who had faced threats, violence, and eviction in Jamaica because of their gender identity, needed urgent protection. Drawing on their litigation expertise, the team quickly learned the nuances of asylum law and built a case that captured both the legal and human dimensions.
“We were conscious of how much was riding on every deadline,” recalled Samantha. “Our everyday work is in the commercial disputes – but here, you’re entrusted with someone’s story and safety. That changes everything.”
The Glenn Agre attorneys worked tirelessly to prepare filings, meet accelerated deadlines, and ensure their client was emotionally ready to share their story. Just one day before the hearing, they learned that what was meant to be a full-day proceeding had been shortened to only 30 minutes. The team immediately restructured their presentation, condensing six months of preparation into a concise yet powerful argument. Their efforts paid off. The judge granted asylum on the spot, and ICE waived its right to appeal – a rare and remarkable outcome.
For the team, success meant more than a favorable ruling; it meant earning KB’s trust and honoring his truth. “Empathizing with a client while knowing you can never fully understand what they’ve endured is humbling,” said Colleen. “You’re trying to capture someone’s experience and identity in legal terms that often can’t keep pace with how fluid and personal those realities are.” Lisa added that the emotional weight of the case demanded both empathy and focus: “Reading through the brief was tough – but you compartmentalize to reach the end goal. The scariest part is not knowing if the law will see your client’s humanity the way you do.”
Since the asylum grant, Glenn Agre’s team has continued to assist KB in the United States – filing for a refugee travel document and preparing a green card application. Their work not only secured KB’s safety but also affirmed his right to live authentically. As Samantha reflected, “Seeing our client’s relief in that moment reminded us that even when the law feels heavy and antiquated, there are still moments of profound hope – and people whose lives truly change because of what we do.”
Join us at our Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony on October 21, 2025, as we honor Glenn Agre’s outstanding pro bono work.
If your firm is interested in a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to Geny Kimbrell, Director of Special Events, by email at gkimbrell@sffny.org.
Charlotte Boegel is a Litigation Paralegal at Phillips & Associates and an active member of the Pro Bono Council for Sanctuary for Families.