Honoring our Washington D.C. Pro Bono Attorneys

I met my first KIND client on his birthday. He came to the U.S. to escape gang violence, leaving behind a life in which education was impossible. He was granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, which left him overcome with gratitude and emotion. He felt immense gratitude for the family court judge who determined his best interest was to stay in the U.S. Gratitude for a country that would give him the status to go to school. Gratitude for the assistance he received with the legal process.

He experienced emotion at realizing that people–like me as his pro bono attorney–were on his side, fighting for his chance to live a life without fear. That they would dedicate time and effort to bring to fruition a chance he had only dreamed about when he summoned the courage and the resilience to embrace extreme hardship in pursuit of opportunity. His eyes were filled with tears as he smiled wide for a photo holding up the Notice of Approval.

My KIND clients have been treasured adjuncts to my eDiscovery practice, and the lessons learned from my pro bono clients and colleagues about the importance of a human connection are priceless. I have learned that establishing solid working relationships can breathe life into a client’s hopes and dreams of belonging, and allows for zealous advocacy on their behalf in the forums in which they must appear. This has been especially true during the pandemic when we have had to reimagine what it means to connect.

Pro bono work is often very difficult, but I would highly encourage all lawyers to do it. The children who come to the US and seek help from KIND have fled horrific conditions. Their stories are harrowing and extremely traumatic. Whether they are permitted to remain in the US can often be a matter of life and death. By listening to their stories and learning about their struggles, we realize how incredibly brave and strong our clients are. I’m also eternally impressed with the KIND team, who work tirelessly to help so many children and have provided us with invaluable mentorship and assistance.