This year, each of KIND’s field offices has selected outstanding partners for recognition — individuals and teams whose extraordinary efforts have made a meaningful impact on the lives of their clients and their communities. From case victories to compassionate mentorship of new volunteers, these honorees embody KIND’s mission every day.
Together, these honorees have helped shape a more just and compassionate immigration system for children. Their generosity and expertise light the way toward a world where every child’s rights are protected. We extend our deepest gratitude to each of our 2025 award recipients for their unwavering commitment to justice and to the children we serve.
Below, we are proud to share the full list of KIND’s 2025 Pro Bono Award honorees:
Atlanta
KINDness Matters Award – Dexter Whitley, Fish & Richardson P.C.
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – Lina Machado Bejarano
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Lauren Estrin; Melissa Siegelman, Honeywell International Inc.
Baltimore
KINDness Matters Award – Jessica N. Bratten, Capital One
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – Latisha Taylor Rivera, Rivera Law Firm, LLC
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Nathaniel S. Berry, Raquel L. Flynn, Brent W. Procida, Daniel L. Schwartz, Venable LLP
Boston
KINDness Matters Award – Pierre Germain, Microsoft
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – Jacob Walters
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Melisa Desperak, Brandon Deutsch, Mark Fitzgerald, Franchette Garcia, Luke Liss, Longle Ma, Priyanka Nawathe, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Family Unity
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Lise B. Adams, Ellie DeGarmo, Kelly J. Huggins, Meghan F. Weinberg, Sidley Austin LLP
Hartford
KINDness Matters Award – Francisco Bianchetti, Dawn Rudenko Albert, Holland & Knight LLP
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Katherine Arango, Bianca Poehailos, Holland & Knight LLP
Houston
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – David Cabello, Cabello Hall Zinda, PLLC
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Peter Jordan, Michael P. Lennon, Jr., Kiya Mellon, Mayer Brown
Los Angeles
KINDness Matters Award – Ariana Sañudo, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – Benjamin C. Seelig, Jenner & Block LLP
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Becca Hansen, Joseph Lee, Sarah M. Pfander, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
Newark
KINDness Matters Award – Markiana J. Julceus, Erica G. Mannix, Jacqueline I. Rojas, Catherine Weiss, Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – Jon Britt
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Emily Sauter, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; Basem Besada, Emilie Cooper, Antonio DelGrande, Mindy Johnson, Natasha Menon, Deborah Merino, Jackie Pearce, Garrett Shor, Laura Sinrod, Katherine St. Romain, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
New York
KINDness Matters Award – Dawn Buonocore, Calvin Klein
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Laurie Gomez, Patricia Negron, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA)
Northern Virginia
KINDness Matters Award – Mikella M. Hurley, Perkins Coie LLP
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Lauretta Camara, Sofia Ibanez, Amanda Sanchez-Martinez, David J. Shaw, Desmarais LLP
San Francisco/Fresno
KINDness Matters Award – Kristin N. Capritto, Downey Brand LLP
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – Katy Baker, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Abbey A. Barrera, Susanna G. Schuemann, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Seattle
KINDness Matters Award – Kayla Grant, Rene Kathawala, Andrew Schmidt, Andres Vega, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – Gillian Dutton, Seattle University School of Law
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Rachel Ehrlich Albanese, Eran Hingaly, Anna Johansen, Eric Liu, Braden Penhoet, DLA Piper; Alan Bruggeman, Becky Francis, Microsoft
Washington, D.C.
KINDness Matters Award – Tannyr Pasvantis, Morrison & Foerster LLP
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award – Maddie Fuller, Goodwin Procter LLP
Pro Bono Team of the Year Award – Daniel Elwood Larkins, Irene Jefferson Sherman, Raymond Navarro, Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss, Deborah Meshulam, DLA Piper
