Pro Bono Work Recognized for Helping Immigrants, Low-Income Communities

Numerous Dechert lawyers have received awards for their pro bono work in recent months.

The Education Law Center in September honored Amy Ufberg, Marissa Tribuiani, and Michelle Nguyen for administering a trust for non-English speaking immigrant students who were refused enrollment in Harrisburg, Pa., public schools.

The City Bar Justice Center in October gave Samantha Koplik, who represented immigrant survivors of domestic violence, the Jeremy G. Epstein Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service.

The Lawyers Alliance for New York in November gave Richard Horowitz a Cornerstone Award for assisting Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy with its new space in the Bedford-Union Armory redevelopment in Brooklyn. 

Dechert was also recognized last month by the Legal Aid Society of New York for providing legal services to low-income New Yorkers. The Society, which named Dechert one of the recipients of the 2018 Pro Bono Publico Awards, honored Negin Hadaghian, Sarah Lyons, Samantha Rosa, Rebecca Waldman, Christopher Mauro, Ryan Moore, Thomas Lee II, Amanda Rios, Kevin Brost, Kathryn Barrett, and Ryan Strong.

Dechert lawyers handle hundreds of pro bono matters covering a wide range of issues, including civil rights, international human rights, child advocacy, special education, access to public benefits, asylum, landlord-tenant matters, and the representation of numerous nonprofit organizations. In 2017, Dechert's pro bono work helped secure the release of Shaurn Thomas, a Pennsylvania man who spent 24 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. The American Lawyer has also named Dechert the top law firm for international pro bono work for three straight years.