Hanson Bridgett Takes Real Action to Support Asylees in the Community
April, 2021 - San Francisco, California
April 13, 2021 (San Francisco, CA) – As a firm, Hanson Bridgett is committed to supporting meaningful pro bono partnerships and projects that include the advancement of diversity, access to education, economic and social advancement, the environment, and health and social services. In support of this, on Thursday, April 8, the Management Committee, along with several other attorneys, participated in a pro bono training workshop and clinic in partnership with Centro Legal de la Raza, a nonprofit legal services organization based in Oakland that provides legal representation to members of the immigrant community as well as low-income individuals.
The firm has had an ongoing partnership with Centro Legal for many years, helping to assist asylees who have fled their home countries after facing persecution and violence. One year after being granted asylum by the Immigration Court or the Asylum Office, asylees are eligible to apply for permanent resident status, known as "adjustment of status." In the clinic, a team of Hanson Bridgett attorneys partnered with Centro Legal to help asylees complete their forms and application documentation for permanent residence status, putting them one step closer to U.S. citizenship.
In addition to participating in the clinic, the firm contributed a $5,000 donation to cover the costs of the clinic clients' fees who did not have fee waivers granted, with remaining funds allocated to Centro Legal's additional needs.
Because issues like immigration rights and equity impact the communities we live and work in, we routinely seek out opportunities to contribute at this level and take this work very seriously. We care about keeping our communities healthy, thriving, equitable, and safe. Giving back and serving those around us is what defines us as a firm.
"Our participation in this clinic, especially by our leadership team, underscores the firm's commitment to taking real action and showing accountability of the vital social justice and equity issues impacting our community," said Jennifer Martinez, Hanson Bridgett's Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.
The Hanson Bridgett attorney team who participated in the clinic included: Nina Berglund, Larry Cirelli, Ellen Demson, Mike Gorback, Kristina Lawson, Connie Liu, Steve Miller, Laurel O'Connor, Amanda Osowski, Sandy Rappaport, and Bill Taylor.
