Akerman Honored for Transformative Support in Shelter Renovation

Tushna Gamadia

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is pleased to honor Steven Polivy of Akerman LLP for his dedicated work in securing bond financing to renovate Sarah Burke House (SBH) – Sanctuary’s transitional shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their families.

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is pleased to honor Steven Polivy, Chair of the Economic Development and Incentives Practice at Akerman LLP, for his dedicated and compassionate work in securing bond financing to renovate Sarah Burke House (SBH) – Sanctuary’s transitional shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their families. His efforts will help hundreds of survivors rebuild their lives in safety, healing, and hope.

Sarah Burke House is New York’s first and largest transitional shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their families. Sanctuary’s shelter team works closely with families who enter SBH after leaving a domestic violence crisis shelter to help them find affordable housing, meet their legal and mental health needs, and plan for the future. The shelter is in a building that is over 100 years old and in need of critical renovations so that it can continue to provide shelter and security to survivor families. Sanctuary needed legal counsel to help us secure the financing necessary to begin renovations, which is where Steven stepped in to assist.

Steven Polivy is a partner in Akerman’s real estate group and the chair of Akerman’s Economic Development and Incentives Practice, with over four decades of experience working on municipal bond financing and with nonprofits and charitable organizations in connection with their financing needs. Steven worked closely with Svati Kania, Sanctuary’s General Counsel, Lisa Radcliffe, Sanctuary’s Chief Financial and Operating Officer, the Hon. Judy Harris Kluger, Sanctuary’s Chief Executive Officer, and Sanctuary’s Board of Directors to obtain tax-exempt financing through Build NYC Resource Corporation, a New York City agency, to secure the funds to renovate SBH, with the assistance of the dedicated teams from the bond firm, D.A. Davidson and the bankers at Webster Bank that made the financing possible. This was a complex financing since it required coordination with multiple public and private parties and a large number of documents, obtaining the New York Attorney General’s approval, and the use of an innovative structure to maintain the confidential location of SBH in the transaction documents for the safety of its residents.

Steven seamlessly guided Sanctuary to a successful bond financing using his vast knowledge and experience reviewing and negotiating transaction documents, providing strategic advice, and managing relationships with the lender, New York City agencies and New York State Attorney General’s office. The transaction started in 2024 and closed in July 2025. The structure of the deal changed completely during the course of the transaction. Through it all, Steven remained committed to the project, devoting countless hours, including over weekends, to reviewing and negotiating the documents, answering questions for the Sanctuary team, and attending Board meetings, often with very little advance notice. As Svati noted, had Steven charged Sanctuary for his services, his fees would have amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Yet Steven consistently prioritized Sanctuary even though he was dedicating his time at no cost.

In turn, Steven was impressed by how willing the various participants in the transaction, including the Attorney General’s office, the City of New York, and the lender were to accommodate Sanctuary’s needs and help facilitate the transaction within the parameters of the applicable legal requirements in order to continue Sanctuary’s services on behalf of its clients. Inspired by Sanctuary’s work, Steven intends to continue to be involved with this project and other pro bono work with Sanctuary.

Steven has been the picture of calm and confident competence, kindness, and grace throughout this challenging transaction. The renovation of SBH would not be possible without Steven’s steady guidance and collaboration with Sanctuary’s leadership and Board.

We thank Steven and are pleased to honor him for his dedication and generosity in assisting Sanctuary accomplish a goal that is central to the services it provides to our community. As Svati noted, “Steven’s work is geared not to help just one single survivor, but instead, it helps hundreds of survivors and family members find safety and healing. Without his help, Sanctuary for Families could not have continued to provide a safe haven for clients who call Sarah Burke House their home, and those who will do so in the coming years.”

Join us at our Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony on October 21, 2025, as we honor Akerman’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.

Tushna Gamadia is a partner in the Real Estate Group at Morrison & Foerster LLP, works with Sanctuary clients on pro bono cases, and is a member of Sanctuary’s Pro Bono Council.

Glenn Agre Secures Asylum for Gender-Nonconforming Survivor Ahead of Policy Shift

Charlotte Boegel

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is thrilled to honor a team from Glenn Agre for their outstanding pro bono advocacy on behalf of a gender-nonconforming survivor from Jamaica.

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.

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.

Charlotte Boegel is a Litigation Paralegal at Phillips & Associates and an active member of the Pro Bono Council for Sanctuary for Families.

Kasowitz Secures Custody Modification for Survivor of Gender-Based Violence

Suzy Yaster

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is thrilled to honor a team from Kasowitz LLP for their tremendous work and dedication in representing “Ms. T” in a set of Family Court, Matrimonial, and Civil cases. 

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is thrilled to honor a team from Kasowitz LLP for their tremendous work and dedication in representing “Ms. T” in a set of Family Court, Matrimonial, and Civil cases.  The outstanding team included Partner Cindy Caranella Kelly, and Associates Dexin Deng and Emily A. Lowe.

For over two decades, Ms. T was the victim of extensive economic, emotional and physical abuse by her husband.  Despite these immense challenges, she single-handedly supported her family, using the money she earned to buy a home and providing a loving and supportive environment for her three children.  As the abuse escalated, her husband not only subjected her to severe violence and threats but also attempted to strip her of her interests in the home by selling it at far below market value to his family member. That family member then brought a housing court case against Ms. T in an effort to remove her from the property. Additionally, Ms. T’s husband filed a Family Court action alleging she had violated visitation requirements under their custody order, while Ms. T sought an Order of Protection against him due to the ongoing abuse.

Because her husband had attempted to transfer ownership of her home to his family member, there was no straightforward path to protect her rights. The team crafted a creative, multi-pronged legal strategy, pursuing both matrimonial and civil claims to ensure that Ms. T’s interests would be fully represented.

From the outset, the legal team meticulously prepared as the multiple different actions progressed, conducting thorough research, gathering evidence, and readying for trial. Their attention to detail and strategic planning proved especially critical when complicated discovery and procedural issues arose. Cindy Caranella Kelly, a Managing Partner at Kasowitz, commended team members Dexin Deng and Emily A. Lowe for their persistence and skill in navigating significant challenges throughout the years of their representation of Ms. T.

In addition to the team’s stellar legal work, what motivated Sanctuary for Families attorneys Lisa Vara and Lauren Patel to nominate the Kasowitz team for recognition was their trauma-informed lawyering.  The team adeptly managed multiple parallel proceedings with many moving parts and extensive detail, while also building a deep relationship of trust with Ms. T. Their empathy, transparency, and unwavering dedication allowed Ms. T to feel supported and confident, even in the face of daunting legal challenges and changing circumstances.

Ultimately, the Kasowitz team’s hard work and perseverance resulted in a highly favorable settlement. Ms. T will receive her rightful share of the equity in the home her husband had attempted to deny her. The team also participated in an inquest in June and is awaiting a final divorce judgment from Matrimonial Court, expected later this year. Sanctuary attorneys Lisa and Lauren nominated the Kasowitz team for their incredible work over many years, noting it is difficult to express the full depth of Ms. T’s gratitude to the Kasowitz team.  Kasowitz’s representation of Ms. T serves as a testament to the impact that a dedicated and compassionate legal team can have on the lives of those they represent.

Join us at our Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony on October 21, 2025, as we honor Kasowitz’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.

Suzy Yaster is a tax lawyer working in-house as a Tax Planning Manager at Warner Bros. Discovery.  Suzy is also a member of Sanctuary for Families’ Pro Bono Council and is a Co-Chair of this year’s Above & Beyond Pro Bono Awards Benefit.

Wilson Sonsini & Bloomberg Team Honored for Securing T Visas for Two Survivors of Labor Trafficking

Kate Powers

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is honoring an outstanding collaboration between Wilson Sonsini and Bloomberg for their tireless work on behalf of two survivors of labor trafficking.

At this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, Sanctuary for Families is honoring an outstanding collaboration between Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Bloomberg Philanthropies for their tireless work on behalf of two survivors of labor trafficking. The team includes, from Wilson Sonsini, Tonia Ouellette Klausner, Jiayue “Angelina” He, and Manveer Martinson, and from Bloomberg, Cristina Cahn-Speyer and Steven Haber.

This case involves two women who each were lured to move from their home country to provide domestic help in the U.S., with promises of fair pay and good working conditions. But when the women arrived in the U.S., they were exploited for years. Their passports were confiscated, they were paid far less than promised, forced to work long hours, subjected to verbal abuse and mistreatment, unable to access healthcare services, and given no days off, holidays, or sick days. After many years of living under these conditions, the women escaped their traffickers when federal law enforcement intervened and referred the women for legal and supportive services at Sanctuary for Families.

Sanctuary enlisted Wilson Sonsini and Bloomberg’s Legal & Compliance Department’s Pro Bono team to navigate what came next. That included representing the women in interviews with federal prosecutors, helping the women get access to much needed medical care, and securing T Nonimmigrant status for both women and their family members who had remained in the home country. The team continues to work with the families, both in the US and abroad, to complete family reunification. Ultimately, the traffickers were prosecuted and sentenced. Remarkably, as part of the criminal penalties, the traffickers paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to the survivors for back pay and medical expenses they were owed.

Tonia Ouellette Klausner, Senior Pro Bono Counsel at Wilson Sonsini, explained what makes this case unique. “These women not only got their lives back. They were able to get restitution and have justice served.” She further described the amazing transformation she witnessed in representing these clients. “They have confidence again, reclaimed power over their lives, and moved on towards a better future.”

Cristina Cahn-Speyer, Licensing Counsel at Bloomberg said, “At Bloomberg, our pro bono program is about standing with people as they rebuild their lives. When survivors have access to legal, emotional, and practical support, it transforms not just their cases, but also their lives. It’s a privilege to use our professional skills to help people navigate some of the most complex challenges affecting our communities, sometimes right in our own backyards.”

Jessica-Wind Abolafia, Senior Program Director of Sanctuary’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative, underscored the importance of the team’s work: “The Wilson Sonsini – Bloomberg team worked intensively to represent the women, navigating complex victim witness and immigration matters over several years and well as supporting the survivors as they healed and accessed the justice they sought and deserved against the perpetrators of their victimization. Their client-centered, trauma-informed and compassionate approach provided a critical space for the women to regain empowerment and self-determination.”

Join us at our Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony on October 21, 2025, as we honor Wilson Sonsini’s and Bloomberg’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.

Kate Powers is counsel in the White Collar & Government Investigations practice at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP. She is also a member of Sanctuary’s Pro Bono Council.