In the weeks leading up to the 2016 Above & Beyond Pro Bono Achievement Awards, we worked closely with our Pro Bono Council and event co-chairs to publish eleven stories – one each week featuring a different team and case. This collection showcases the extraordinary lengths to which so many of our pro bono partners go in order to serve our clients.
To learn more about our Pro Bono Council and related advisory groups, click here.
Akerman Attorneys Help Domestic Violence Survivor Win Final Protective Order
Akerman LLP: Steven Cordero and Vanessa Garcia
“Thanks to their remarkable ongoing efforts before, during, and after each court appearance—not only from a legal point of view, but also in terms of their kindness, compassion, and sense of humor—Vanessa and Steve helped make this unpleasant process as pleasant as possible.”
Cahill Attorneys Help Domestic Violence Survivor Secure Appropriate Housing for Son with Autism
Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP: Tara Curtin, Krista Friedrich, Jason Hall, Komal Patel, and Jamie Stinson
“I feel fortunate to work at a firm with such a strong commitment to pro bono work—and such a longstanding relationship with Sanctuary…”
Cahill Attorneys Help Domestic Violence Survivor Keep and Protect Her Kids
Cahill Gordon & Reindell LLP: Joel Kurtzberg, Sara Ortiz, Chloe Sauer, and Ben A. Schatz
“Working with Sanctuary on ZN’s case as a junior associate has given me a great chance to take the lead on a completely different and incredibly important case.”
Cleary Gottlieb Attorneys Seek Asylum for Survivor of Female Genital Mutilation
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton: Marion de Meslon, S. Ellie Norton, Clayton Simmons, and Jessica Thompson
“The only copy of Ms. G’s marriage certificate available in the United States was in the hands of her abusive husband, who refused to turn it over to us.”
Cohen & Gresser Attorneys Reinstate Critical Public Benefits for Trafficking Survivor
Cohen & Gresser LLP: Matthew V. Povolny and Scott D. Thomson
“There is a tremendous feeling of what a great opportunity pro bono gives you to help people in the city that you pass by in the streets every day.”
Davis Polk Team Achieves Tremendous Financial Victory for Mother of Two
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP: Joel Cohen, Nick DiMarino, Rachelle Navarro, and Daniel Spitzer
“Thank you and please continue with your selfless help to other families such as ours. You have left such an indelible mark in our lives forever. We are truly grateful.”
Hogan Lovells Successfully Defends Domestic Violence Survivor
Hogan Lovells LPP: Andrew Behrman, Jordan Estes, Nicole Schiavo, Gary Serbin, and Anjum Unwala
“[W]e felt very strongly that a victim of abuse should not have to pay her batterer’s expenses, especially when those expenses resulted from the batterer’s own actions that caused the victim to flee.”
Reed Smith Attorneys Exhibit Great Skill and Persistence in Complicated Custody Case
Reed Smith LLP: Brandon Cunningham and Jeff Glatzer
“Following an initial intake meeting with the client, we were impressed with the gravity of the situation and eager to help; there was clearly a woman, and even more so a child, in real need of our help.”
Simpson Thacher Associate Caroline Gross Honored for Her Commitment to Sanctuary’s Anti-Trafficking Work
Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP: Caroline Gross
“Of the more than 200 lawyers who volunteer with Sanctuary’s Trafficking Intervention Pro Bono Project, Caroline stands out…”
First Year Skadden Attorney Wins Five Year Order of Protection for Survivor of Domestic Violence
Skadden Arps LLP: Tansy Woan
“Not only was I doing a full-blown trial with Sanctuary as a first year associate, but I was giving Ms. T the chance to have her side of the story heard, and to help her fight back against this man who terrified her for years. It felt so good to tell her that it was all worth it, and to say to her: ‘Your courage got you through this.’”
Former Skadden Associate Michael Van Hulle Honored for His Work with Survivors of Gender Violence
Skadden Arps LLP: Michael Van Hulle
“There aren’t heroic people doing heroic things anymore; but here, I would read these affidavits, and think, ‘Wow, that is actually heroic.’ [It was hard to read through these applications without], getting a little teary eyed.”
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Learn more about our Pro Bono Council here.