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.
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.
