WilmerHale’s Denver office has been named the recipient of the 2019 Pro Bono Service Award from the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN). The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of immigrants, refugees and those who advocate on behalf of them.
In recognizing WilmerHale, RMIAN Executive Director Mekela Goehring noted, “WilmerHale’s willingness to step up and support immigrant families during last summer’s family separation crisis was critical in the effort to ensure that moms and dads at the Aurora immigration detention center had attorneys to protect their best interests and the best interests of their children. In supporting clients in both RMIAN’s Detention and Children’s programs in 2018, WilmerHale has been a vital partner to RMIAN and its mission to ensure due process to immigrants in Colorado.”
John Walsh, a former partner in the Denver office of WilmerHale, said, “I would like to congratulate my colleagues who helped support such an important cause. The pro bono work that we provided on behalf of so many vulnerable people speaks to the character and heart of our team in Denver. I’d also like to thank the incredibly talented team at RMIAN for the critically important work they do. It is an honor to serve beside them.”
In addition to Walsh, the attorneys and staff whose work is being recognized are Partner Mindy Sooter; Counsel Matt Leary; Senior Associates Sarah Judkins, Daniel Perry, Heidi Ruckriegle and Matthew Worthington; Associate Mairead Dolan; Paralegals Hilary Greene and Lillie Shobe; Legal Secretary Misty Newton; Summer Associates Avi Bakshani and Philip Takhar; and former WilmerHale Attorneys Andy Spielman, Anne Lee and Esther Lim.
RMIAN is a nonprofit organization that serves low-income adults and children in immigration proceedings. RMIAN promotes knowledge of legal rights, provides effective representation to ensure due process, works to improve detention conditions, and promotes a more humane immigration system, including alternatives to detention.
WilmerHale formally received the award at the annual RMIAN Immigrant Liberty Awards ceremony in April 2019.