outstanding young associate
2010 HRI Outstanding Young Associate Award Recipients:
Wendy E. Curtis of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP has volunteered with the Women & Children's Program at HRI since 2008. She has helped in several domestic violence cases, representing a woman from Jamaica and a woman from Mexico gain legal status in the United States. Currently, she is assisting a teenager who was the victim of sexual assault by her stepfather in getting a U-Visa. She has consistently donated her time and talent to the clients of HRI.
Lauren Grau and Feras Alkasab of Sidley Austin LLP represent an Egyptian family in a difficult religious asylum case. The family fled their country because the Egyptian government was unable to protect them from violence and threats at the hands of religious extremists. Feras, an Arabic speaker himself, has been working on their asylum case since February 2008 and Lauren joined him in September 2008. Due to court delays, extreme weather, and a host of other uncontrollable issues, their case is still pending in immigration court. They hope to have a decision by January 2011. Because of their efforts, our clients have a chance to stay in the United States and be protected from those that wish them harm in Egypt.
2009 HRI Outstanding Young Associate Award Recipients:
Sunny Thompson and Carmen E. Bremer from Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP assisted in a U Visa case for a client from
Mexico. The client, who was molested as a child was the victim of
domestic violence in the US by her boyfriend. He physically abused her,
in addition to verbally, psychologically, and sexually abusing her. One
day she witnessed her boyfriend sexually assaulting her daughter and
decided to break the cycle of abuse. She reported the domestic violence
and sexual assault to the police and assisted in the prosecution
against her boyfriend, causing him to be deported. Because of Sunny and
Carmen’s hard work the client will be able to stay in the US with her
children to begin a new life free of abuse.
Evan Tilton and Akita St. Clair of
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP handled a religious asylum case for a
young man from Egypt. He fled his country because the Egyptian
government was unable to protect him and his fiancée from violence and
threats at the hands of religious extremists. He was able to escape to
the United States, but only after his fiancée was murdered by religious
extremists who targeted her for her Christian faith. Evan and Akita
worked diligently on the case, turning a traumatized client into an
articulate witness, and finding a Professor of Criminal Justice who was
born and raised in Egypt to testify in support of our client’s claims.
Because of Evan and Akita’s efforts, the client is able to stay in the
United States where he is continuing his education and working to become
a productive member of society.
2008 HRI Outstanding Young Associate Award Recipients:
Amy Wells of Hunton & Williams LLP assisted in a family law case for a child from Egypt. The child's mother abandoned him in North Texas after her asylum application was denied. The child had no one to care for him in Egypt as his father had been murdered for his religious beliefs. Due to Amy's zealous representation, a family court order was obtained which appointed conservators for the child and allowed him to apply for a special immigrant juvenile visa with Immigration Services. Because of Amy's hard work, the child should be able to stay in the United States with his conservators.
Sarah Hodges of Carrington, Coleman, Slomen & Blumenthal P.C. handled a religious asylum case for a young man from Eritrea. He fled from his country after he was arrested, beaten and tortured for his Christian faith. Sarah prepared the case in record time, meeting with the client nearly every week and working diligently to research evidence to support his claim. At the asylum interview, Sarah served a crucial role in clarifying issues for the interviewing officer that were confusing for the client. Sarah's skillful representation resulted in a grant of asylum to this young man who is free to begin a new life in the United States and who is free to practice his religion.
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