Covington & Burling Team Secures Defensive Asylum for Mother and Daughter

Daria Lewis

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary is honoring a team from Covington & Burling LLP for their extraordinary commitment, empathy, and tireless work representing “Ms. E” and her daughter in their defensive asylum case.

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is proud to honor Covington partner Anne Y. Lee and associates Julia Blackburn, Ana Duong, Brigid Larkin, Bree Peilen, and Qijia “Janna” Yu for their extraordinary commitment, empathy, and tireless work representing “Ms. E” and her daughter in their defensive asylum case.

Ms. E. suffered horrific acts of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-partner while in her home country in Latin America. For a period spanning more than 10 years, Ms. E’s partner subjected her to sexual violence, physical battery, threats of death, and manipulation tactics. Herself a young woman, Ms. E. had a small daughter from a prior relationship who was tragically both a victim of Ms. E’s partner’s violence and a witness to the abuse he inflicted on Ms. E. Upon fleeing Latin America and arriving in the United States, Ms. E and her daughter found themselves in the custody of US Border Control, afraid for their safety and their freedom.

The timeline in this case was remarkable. The Covington team agreed to undertake representation of Ms. E. in late July 2024, less than two months before Ms. E’s scheduled asylum hearing. Cases of this complexity typically require four to twelve months of preparation. While many attorneys might have sought to postpone the court date, the team chose instead to move forward with the fast-approaching date in order to optimally protect Ms. E’s interests. They knew that a delay might leave the clients in limbo for months and possibly years, and that with an upcoming presidential election, they faced the risk of a shifting political landscape accompanied by a weakening of asylum protections for domestic violence survivors. The Covington team committed fully to Ms. E’s case. It must be noted that Bree had already signed on to represent another Sanctuary client with a hearing on the same day when she agreed to take on Ms. E’s hearing. Yet, according to Pooja Asnani, director of Sanctuary’s Immigration Project, one would never have guessed that Bree was working on two cases simultaneously—so dedicated she remained in her commitment to each matter. Julia said that she and her team spent probably 100 hours on this case in only a month, but emphasized that it was all worth it. The team not only prepared excellent legal writing presented in a clear and compelling way, but also gave the care and attention needed to ensure that Ms. E and her daughter felt as ready as possible for the hearing.

A common thread noted by both Pooja Asnani and the Covington team in their recounting of the case was the trauma-informed approach, and an unwavering desire to put the clients’ comfort above all else. This came from countless hours of preparation, going over the details of the abuse. They worked hard to make sure the client felt ready and empowered, not only to tell her story, but also to face the harsh cross-examination that the team knew could come during the hearing. Julia took on the role of an interpreter, ensuring that the clients’ story was truly understood not only by a fluent Spanish speaker, but by someone she trusted. With a background in psychology, Julia also functioned as an emotional mediator, knowing when the clients were overwhelmed and needed a break.

Though time was limited, the team prioritized listening to the clients’ stories. They made sure the clients’ years of abuse were presented in their full nuance and complexity. As Bree said, “It’s their story; the case law changes, but it’s making her feel most confident about how to tell her story.” The lawyers from Covington worked as a team with Ms. E to facilitate this empowerment. They helped the clients feel in control by making them aware of the range of possible outcomes, including the possibility that the immigration judge might limit their testimony, or excessive questioning by the government attorney.  During preparation, the Covington team were careful to explain the reasons for the specific testimony they were eliciting. They also understood that trauma affects memory, and allowed details to emerge gradually in Ms. E and her daughter’s retelling. These tactics put the clients’ wellbeing first, even if it took longer.

In an impressive feat of client-centered advocacy, unwavering commitment, and exceptional lawyering, the team balanced a seemingly impossible timeline, while still putting the clients’ comfort at the center. Their extensive efforts working with Ms. E and her daughter allowed for success in the hearing and the granting of defensive asylum. In the face of all they have been through, Ms. E’s daughter spoke with the team about her desire to become a nurse and support herself. The resilience of Ms. E and her daughter, and the dedication of the Covington team, together made this outcome a reality.

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

PURCHASE TICKETS

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.

Daria Lewis is a Case Project Coordinator (Temp) at Cravath, Swaine, and Moore, and a recent graduate from Barnard College. She is also a member of Sanctuary’s Pro Bono Council.

Cahill Team Honored for Child Safety and Custody Victory

Sally Feldman

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary is honoring an incredible team at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP for their pro bono victory securing custody and protection for a child at risk, showcasing the firm’s dedication to family justice.

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is honoring an outstanding team from Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP — Partner Joel Kurtzberg; Associates Joseph Adams, Lisa J. Cole, Brigid E. O’Keefe, Chana Tauber, and Jessica Urgo; and former Associates Scott Singer and Rania AlRashoodi.

The Cahill team exemplified going “Above and Beyond” in its representation of an aunt seeking to protect her nephew in Family Court through an order protection and custody litigation. Because of their efforts—and those of the other firms with which they collaborated—our client’s nephew is now with his family in New York, rather than with his abusive father in Italy.

The outstanding casework for which Cahill is being recognized began in 2022 when they jumped into a complicated case that had started in 2018, when Sanctuary client Narkis Golan fled from Italy to New York with her young son B.A.S. to escape her husband’s physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Narkis’s husband then filed a petition in federal court pursuant to the 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction to force B.A.S.’s return to Italy.

After several years of fighting to keep her son safe in the U.S., Narkis tragically passed away during a pending appeal. Immediately following Narkis’s sudden death, her sister Morin Golan drove from Florida to New York to take care of B.A.S. Fearing that he would be ripped away from his family in New York, Morin quickly went to Family Court seeking protection. She asked the Court to issue an order of protection against B.A.S.’s father on behalf of herself and her nephew and for the ability to take care of B.A.S. temporarily, including making medical and educational decisions for him while he was in her care.

This all happened at lightning speed during an incredibly difficult time for Morin and B.A.S. Thankfully, Cahill quickly assembled a formidable team to co-counsel with Sanctuary on Morin’s Family Court case. Although they jumped into a complicated situation with a long history, a parallel federal case, and little precedent, they were undaunted and proceeded with confidence and urgency. The team collaborated closely with all of Morin’s attorneys, including her federal Hague attorneys (Skadden), her Italian attorneys, and Sanctuary. There were many twists and turns in both the Family Court case and the federal Hague case, and Cahill’s comprehensive research, strategic advice, and creative lawyering skills were instrumental at every phase.

After Morin won the federal Hague trial, the Cahill team spent countless hours gathering evidence and preparing for the Family Court trial. On the eve of trial in August 2024, they negotiated a highly favorable settlement of the order of protection and custody cases, allowing B.A.S. to stay in New York with Morin and the rest of his maternal family. Cahill has continued to advise Morin on post-settlement issues and to help her seek child support.

“Since the settlement, we have continued to work closely with Morin to ensure that visitation under the agreement goes smoothly and to handle her child support case,” said Joel Kurtzberg, the Cahill partner leading the team, who has done pro bono work for Sanctuary for many years. “It’s terrible, but not all that uncommon, for women to be brutalized as Narkis was, and for relatives such as Morin to come up against an unsympathetic system when trying to help.”

“Joel and his team have been strategically brilliant and incredibly client-centered throughout this entire case. I couldn’t have asked for a better partnership on this legally and emotionally challenging journey. They always deliver amazing results and provide excellent, trauma-informed client service.”

 – Nicole Fidler
Senior Project Director
Sanctuary’s NGI and Pro Bono Project

“Joel and the team’s dedication went far beyond what was required. He took on a very complex case, pursued every detail with care and left no stone unturned. His thoughtful, strategic efforts are the reason my nephew is here with us today. I will forever be grateful for the hero that walked into our lives. He truly went above and beyond and is so deserving of this award,” said Morin.

Sanctuary is extremely honored to present the “Above and Beyond” Pro Bono Award to the Cahill team.

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

PURCHASE TICKETS

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.

Until her recent retirement, Sally Feldman was Skadden’s longtime Chief Marketing Officer.

Domestic Violence Is Not ‘a Little Fight’

Sanctuary for Families

President Trump recently dismissed domestic violence as “a little fight with the wife,” suggesting that offenses “that take place in the home” should not be counted as crimes. This attempt to minimize domestic violence is dangerous and uninformed.

On Monday, President Trump stood at the Museum of the Bible in Washington and dismissed domestic violence as “a little fight with the wife,” suggesting that offenses “that take place in the home” should not be counted as crimes.

Rather than walking back this dangerous statement, the White House doubled down the next day. During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed: “He wasn’t referring to crime. That’s exactly the point he was making. The president is saying, in fact, is that these crimes will be made up and reported as a crime to undermine the great work that the federal task force is doing to reduce crime in Washington, D.C.”

These attempts to minimize domestic violence are dangerous and uninformed.

For far too long, domestic violence was treated as a private matter, kept behind closed doors, ignored by law enforcement, and excused by society. That silence left survivors — mostly women and children — without protection, justice, or support.

At Sanctuary for Families, we recognize domestic violence for what it is: both a crime and a public health crisis. Every year in the United States, more than 12 million people are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner. This reality demands societal attention and a public response.

The stakes could not be clearer. Studies suggest that in the United States, more than half of female homicides are perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner. This type of violence — also known as femicide — is the most extreme consequence of a society that still struggles to take domestic abuse seriously.

Every day at Sanctuary, we work alongside survivors to ensure they are believed, protected, and supported as they rebuild their lives following abuse.

When someone in a position of great power speaks about abuse in such dismissive terms, it emboldens abusers, denies the very real suffering of survivors, and chips away at hard-won progress toward building a system that responds to survivors’ needs.

We believe that those in positions of leadership have a responsibility to speak truthfully and with care.

Domestic violence is not “a little fight.” It is a matter of life and death.

Words matter.

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Media inquiries: press@sffny.org

Remembering Pearl Pell: A Legacy of Compassion and Community

Sanctuary for Families

Pearl Seril Pell, a former Sanctuary Board member, passed away on July 17, 2023. Pearl left an impact on Sanctuary that has extended throughout the organization.

Pearl Seril Pell, a former Sanctuary Board member, passed away on July 17, 2023. Pearl left an impact on Sanctuary that has extended throughout the organization. Through the eyes of her sister Bobbie Seril, who has recently joined Sanctuary’s Board, we gain insight into a woman whose compassion knew no bounds and whose commitment to helping others shaped decades of meaningful work.

The Beginning of a Beautiful Partnership

Pearl’s relationship with Sanctuary began in an unexpected way — through Bobbie’s connection to the organization. In 1994, while finishing law school, Bobbie learned of a Sanctuary attorney who was collecting toiletries from traveling colleagues to create gift baskets for Sanctuary clients.

Years later, when celebrating her 50th birthday, Bobbie asked guests not to bring gifts. “I said I’m happy to invite you to a party, I just don’t want any more scarves,” Bobbie laughs. Instead, she asked for donations to Sanctuary, and a tradition was born. Her birthday parties became legendary affairs, with over 50 guests arriving with shopping bags full of donations. This ultimately inspired Pearl to host a birthday luncheon for Bobbie with donations going to Sanctuary—kick-starting her involvement with Sanctuary’s work.

Pearl particularly liked including on the party invitations the line, “Please be sure to remember our sisters in the shelters.” This phrase captured something essential about Pearl’s worldview.

Education and Empowerment

Pearl also cared deeply about the importance of children’s education. Beginning with her older son’s Bar Mitzvah in 2003, she launched what would become known as Sanctuary’s Back to School Program. In place of traditional bar mitzvah games, Pearl organized an assembly line of children to stuff backpacks with notebooks, pens, pencils, and other school supplies. Eight years later, she tweaked this meaningful project for her younger son’s Bar Mitzvah by having the kids put together toiletry kits for the women and children in Sanctuary’s shelter network. These programs exist to this day—providing thousands of children living in shelters with the supplies they need to thrive in school, as well as some personal items to make their arrival into the shelter more comfortable.

A Lasting Legacy

Pearl’s connection to Sanctuary spanned decades, evolving from collecting clothing donations, to providing financial support as the organization’s needs changed, to offering advice relating to some of Sanctuary’s properties. Her final gift through her estate reflects a lifetime of thoughtful giving and genuine care for the organization’s mission.

“I think she would have just loved it,” Bobbie says of Pearl’s posthumous impact. “She really would have been pleased to know that it’s doing something. She understood that this money can make a huge difference in a person’s life and in an organization’s ongoing success.”

To ensure Pearl’s legacy continues, her family and Sanctuary are proud to announce that the backyard at Sarah Burke House — Sanctuary’s transitional shelter in the Bronx — will be named in Pearl’s memory.

“This beautiful outdoor space, where children play, learn, and heal, will stand as a living tribute to Pearl’s lifelong commitment to helping survivors of gender violence rebuild their lives in safety and dignity,” said Judy Kluger, Sanctuary’s CEO. “We are so grateful to Pearl’s family for making such a significant contribution in Pearl’s memory.”

“My mom would have been overjoyed to see children laughing and playing freely in that backyard—safe from violence and surrounded by love,” said her son Nathan. “It’s exactly the kind of joy and security she worked so hard to make possible for others.”

Continuing the Work

Today, Bobbie serves on Sanctuary’s Board, a role she sees as carrying forward Pearl’s legacy. “When I told my friends and family I was asked to be on the Board, I said I’m kind of taking Pearl’s seat,” she explains. Pearl’s husband, Owen, and sons, Nathan and Adam, were pleased by this continuation of their mother’s work.

“Pearl was fierce in her support of Sanctuary’s mission to provide a voice to those silenced by abuse and an escape for women stifled and confined by dangerous circumstances,” said Owen.

“Whether it was her work with backpacks and toiletry kits, job training programs, or ongoing projects to maintain the shelter network, Pearl loved Sanctuary for protecting families and respecting the inherent dignity of survivors of gender violence. She would be proud to see her sister Bobbie continuing that advocacy,” added Adam.

Remembering Pearl

As we remember Pearl, we see someone who combined compassion and a firm sense of right and wrong with practical action. Her legacy lives on not only in the programs and services she supported, but in the model she provided of how to live with purpose and care for others.

Pearl’s story reminds us that the most meaningful contributions often come from those who see giving not as an obligation but as an opportunity — the chance to make a real difference in the lives of others and to build a more compassionate community for all.

Pearl’s impact on Sanctuary continues through Sanctuary’s ongoing work, made possible in part by the generous gift she left to Sanctuary in her will, and the dedication of Board members like Bobbie, and her family, who carry forward her commitment to serving those in need.