McDermott Will & Schulte Secures Safety and Sets Key Precedent for Survivors

Elena Rizzo

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is proud to recognize an exceptional team from McDermott Will & Schulte for their remarkable efforts to secure a long-term order of protection while setting an important precedent for survivors of gender-based violence.

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is proud to recognize an exceptional team from McDermott Will & Schulte — Senior Partner Taleah E. Baez and Associate Priyadarshini Das — for their remarkable efforts to secure a long-term order of protection on behalf of Ms. L while setting an important precedent for survivors of gender-based violence.

In September 2023, Sanctuary for Families and Ms. L sought the assistance of McDermott Will & Schulte’s Taleah E. Baez (Senior Partner) and Priyadarshini Das (then a second-year associate) to obtain long-term protection for Ms. L against her abuser.

Despite Ms. L having suffered years of emotional and physical abuse, including second-degree assault, and the presence of “aggravating circumstances,” the Family Court declined to grant the five-year order of protection that was warranted, and instead issued a two-year order of protection. Sanctuary’s legal team urgently required appellate counsel.

Erin Mears, the Sanctuary Senior Staff Attorney who nominated McDermott Will & Schulte’s team for the Above & Beyond Award, recalls:

“Taleah and Priyadarshini immediately offered to assist in representing Mrs. L in this compelling case. They were incredible to work with and extremely collaborative. I knew Mrs. L.’s case was being handled with the utmost care and attention. I was extremely grateful for their excellent lawyering and zealous advocacy for our client.”

Their work unfolded over 17 intense months: perfecting the appeal, drafting a cross-appeal, and coordinating with multiple parties, including the attorney for the children. On January 13, 2025, Priyadarshini made her first appearance before the Appellate Division, supported by Sanctuary attorneys and firm colleagues, including partners who volunteered their weekend time for mock arguments.

In February 2025, the Appellate Division issued a five-year order of protection, giving Ms. L. the long-term security she deserved and correcting the trial court’s error.

This case further strengthened the longstanding pro bono partnership between Sanctuary for Families and McDermott Will & Schulte.

For Taleah, the case was a natural extension of a long relationship with Sanctuary:

“I am impressed by the work that Sanctuary does. When they call, I answer—especially when a precedent-setting issue is on the line.”

Taleah serves on Sanctuary for Families’ President’s Council and is a member of its Legal Advisory Council, having worked on numerous matters—including appeals—alongside Sanctuary attorneys.

Priyadarshini’s commitment to pro bono work began as a student with Sanctuary’s Courtroom Advocates Project:

“That first order-of-protection case showed me the power of legal advocacy. As I was finally able to step into the courtroom, I could not pass on the opportunity to improve my advocacy skills to make a difference.”

By securing a five-year order of protection, Taleah and Priyadarshini provided critical stability for Ms. L., while also establishing persuasive precedent to support future petitions for long-term protection in cases involving “aggravating circumstances.”

Join us at our Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony on October 21, 2025, as we honor McDermott Will & Schulte’s outstanding pro bono work.

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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.

Elena Rizzo is a Senior Associate in the International Arbitration team at DLA Piper’s New York office. Elena is also a member of Sanctuary’s Pro Bono Council and is co-chairing this year’s Above & Beyond Awards event. Elena has worked alongside Sanctuary attorneys on numerous matters since 2017.

Nick Butto of Mintz Honored for Expanding Firm’s Pro Bono Partnership

Elena Rizzo

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is honoring Nick Butto, litigation associate at Mintz, for his exceptional work and long-standing collaboration with Sanctuary for Families.

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is honoring Nick Butto, Litigation Associate at Mintz, for his exceptional work and long-standing collaboration with our organization.

At a time when access to justice is out of reach for so many, individuals like Nick Butto are creating a path for successful partnerships to assist clients in need.

The beginning of Nick’s relationship with Sanctuary for Families was similar to many:  he began working with them on a first pro bono project.  However, Nick was able to build momentum, took on many more pro bono cases (with multiple matters running at the same time), and worked tirelessly to establish and expand Mintz’s partnership with Sanctuary for Families. Since then, his efforts have not only grown his firm’s pro bono practice but have also inspired many of his colleagues to get involved.

Taking the Lead in Pro Bono Matters

Nick has an instinctual skill for negotiation and handling complex legal matters. In the words of Lindsey Song, Associate Program Director of the Family Law Project at Sanctuary, “Nick is so easy to work with and in a recent matter we collaborated on, he promptly took the lead on negotiations.  Despite facing an attorney with 20 years more experience, Nick handled the negotiations in a collaborative manner, but at the same time with confidence and firmness, never showing any signs of hesitation.”

Nick’s success stems not only from his legal acumen but also from his dedication to the clients he represents.

Sanctuary and Nick’s client, Ms. E., explained:

“As a victim of severe domestic abuse, I felt lost, fearful, and uncertain about where to start. Fortunately, I found Nick. His brilliance, dedication, and unwavering support were instrumental in helping me navigate the legal process. He was available 24/7, handling emergencies with immediate responses, and his compassionate approach alleviated my fears. Nick went above and beyond his legal duties by offering emotional support during moments of panic, making me feel safe. I cannot imagine having navigated this ordeal without his support.”

Growing a Pro Bono Legacy and Inspiring Others

What truly sets Nick apart is his leadership in fostering a culture of pro bono service within his firm. Nick has joined Mintz’s Pro Bono Committee, and over the past year and a half, his firm’s collaboration with Sanctuary for Families has expanded significantly.

Nick emphasizes the importance of mentorship in this process, noting that Sanctuary for Families has played a critical role in guiding attorneys at his firm. “Sanctuary has mentored associates at Mintz, and this helped develop the casework,” Nick said. “We’ve seen real progress in the last 18 months, thanks to the support of my firm, which has provided time and resources to run complex cases, and the commitment of my colleagues.”

His efforts have also spurred greater involvement from the firm’s leadership, with partners contributing to case strategy and supervising associates. “We are fortunate not only to have our Pro Bono Committee backing up our collaboration with Sanctuary, but we’ve also seen more partners taking an active role on cases, which has been instrumental,” Nick shared.

Advice to Other Firms on Leveraging Support

Nick is a firm believer in the power of collaboration and communication when it comes to expanding pro bono efforts. In his view, growing a firm’s pro bono practice requires regular communication on the ongoing efforts of peers. “Keeping people updated on what their colleagues are working on and sharing compelling case stories inspires others to take on pro bono matters,” he said.

Nick also sees the long-term benefits of exposing junior associates to this type of work. “The more opportunities junior associates have to work with clients and learn trauma-informed interviewing techniques, the better they become at representing clients in the future,” Nick explains. This approach ensures that pro bono work not only impacts current cases but also builds a skillset that will benefit future clients.

Looking Ahead

Nick’s dedication to pro bono work shows no signs of slowing down. He’s currently juggling multiple cases in collaboration with Sanctuary for Families, including a protective order matter set for trial in September, an asylum case with an upcoming merits hearing, and an appeal in the First Department. This of course, in addition to keeping a busy commercial litigation practice.

Nick’s leadership in pro bono work, and the contribution Nick and Mintz are making to strengthen their collaboration with Sanctuary for Families, serve as a reminder that associates can truly make a difference when it comes to creating a long-lasting path for pro bono in the legal profession.

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Join us at our Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony on October 8, 2024, as we honor Nick Butto’s outstanding pro bono work.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Elena Rizzo is a Senior Associate in the International Arbitration team at DLA Piper’s New York office.  Elena is also a member of Sanctuary’s Pro Bono Council and is co-chairing this year’s Above & Beyond Awards reception.  Elena has worked alongside Sanctuary attorneys on numerous matters since 2017.