New York, NY, June 27, 2005 – In recognition of extraordinary pro bono contributions to the advancements of human rights and immigration and asylum law, Holland & Knight has received the 2005 Pro Bono Award from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The award was presented June 25 at the AILA 2005 Annual Conference held in Salt Lake City.
AILA presents the annual award to an individual or entity for “promoting the highest goals of professional responsibility through exemplary efforts in support of pro bono representation of indigent aliens.” Holland & Knight was recognized for its advocacy in numerous proceedings, such as the successful representation of gay asylum applicants fleeing persecution; the release of Malik Jarno, a mentally retarded orphan from Guinea; legislative advocacy on behalf of the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, the Hebrew Immigrant Aids Society, the Office of the United Nations high Commissioner for Refugees, and the American Bar Association; and the launch and ongoing support of the National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children.
“Our expanded focus over the last few years meeting the legal service and advocacy needs of vulnerable, indigent immigrants and asylum-seekers has been a great source of inspiration for Holland & Knight attorneys and paralegals,” said Community Services Team Partner Stephen Hanlon.
In 1990, Holland & Knight established its Community Services Team to more effectively marshal its resource to provide legal representation to those who cannot afford it. With 10 full-time attorneys dedicated to pro bono work, it is the largest full-time pro bono practice group of any law firm in the world. Over the past year, Holland & Knight performed more than 60,000 hours of pro bono work. Firm-wide, in 2004, more than 60% of Holland & Knight’s lawyers and professional staff were involved with pro bono work, and the average pro bono hours per attorney increased to almost 55.
About Holland & Knight LLP: Holland & Knight is a commercial law firm with more than 1,250 lawyers in 26 offices in the United States. Internationally, offices are located in Mexico City, Tokyo and Beijing, with representative offices in Helsinki, Caracas and Tel Aviv. Holland & Knight is among the 15 largest firms worldwide, providing representation in all major areas of law. www.hklaw.com
About AILA: Founded in 1946, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of more than 8,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. AILA member attorneys represent U.S. families, businesses and industries, as well as foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers, often on a pro bono basis. AILA is an Affiliate Organization of the American Bar Association and is represented in the ABA House of Delegates.
Contact: Elizabeth Fogerty, Rubenstein Associates
212-843-8071, efogerty@rubenstein.com
