NWIRP directly represents many clients in legal proceedings, but the demand for services is greater than our staff can address. A client's chance of avoiding removal from the U.S. is highly dependent on whether or not he or she has legal representation. As a result, NWIRP places great emphasis on training others, in order to stretch its resources as far as they can go. One of NWIRP's great successes is our pro bono panel of attorneys, who are instrumental in sharing the workload in directly representing immigrants and refugees.
Approximately 250 attorneys participate in NWIRP's pro bono program. These attorneys make a profound difference in the lives of their clients, and have found the pro bono experience to be deeply rewarding for them as well. Without the hard work of this dedicated group, scores of individuals would be lost in an overwhelming bureaucracy and subject to removal from the country, separation from their family, and often a life of poverty and fear.
Spotlight on One of NWIRP's Pro Bono Attorneys
Megan Pedersen, Darren Feider, Dana Ferestien, Jake Downs,
Claire Hur, Roberto Soto (from left to right)
Dana Ferestien is a partner at Williams Kastner and has helped facilitate the firm's pro bono partnership with NWIRP since the summer of 2006. Historically, Williams Kastner had not coordinated its attorneys' pro bono efforts, and the firm was looking for an opportunity to bring greater focus to the program. In 2006, Dana helped Williams Kastner focus its pro bono energies primarily on asylum matters referred by NWIRP. Because of Williams Kastner's growing immigration practice, asylum work was a particularly good fit.
Over the course of its partnership with NWIRP, Williams Kastner has represented eight individuals seeking political asylum. Williams Kastner has already secured asylum for individuals from Gambia, Azerbaijan and Haiti and it has several matters pending for individuals from Eritrea.
Dana is proud of the work his firm has done. Dana and the attorneys and staff at Williams Kastner have found the NWIRP pro bono experiences to be rewarding, challenging, educational, and above all, important. According to Dana, NWIRP pro bono work has allowed his firm to make a profound difference in the lives of the clients. Dana clarified that not only can you help an individual flee persecution, but by listening carefully, you can provide the client with a cathartic experience, thereby helping them better deal with their trauma. When asked about a particularly memorable moment, Dana recalled that after the Immigration Judge granted asylum to his Azerbaijani client, the client, with tears in his eyes, hugged him so hard that he nearly squeezed the air out of him. Dana and the staff at Williams Kastner are gradually developing a deeper knowledge of the intricacies of asylum law, but they remain grateful for the wonderful support and guidance provided by NWIRP staff attorneys. In closing, Dana points out that it is easy to lose sight of the great privilege he has had, simply by virtue of being born in the United States... "this is my opportunity to help those who are less fortunate."
NWIRP deeply appreciates Dana and the attorneys and staff at Williams Kastner for their hard work and their commitment to immigrant rights.
