PAIR Pro Bono Asylum Victories of 2012

Steven Barrett and Dan Esrick, of WilmerHale, successfully represented a client from Eritrea who was imprisoned by government forces, during which time he was beaten and tortured. With the help of his superb legal team, client was granted asylum before the Boston Immigration Court.  With the continued support of WilmerHale, client is now rebuilding his life in the U.S.

Naveen Ganesh and Lisa Rachlin, of Ropes & Gray, successfully represented a client from Uganda who was an activist with the Buganda tribe. Their client was kidnapped, imprisoned and tortured by government forces for his activism. With the unwavering efforts of his legal team, client was able to find a safe haven in the U.S. and win asylum before the Newark Asylum Office.

Michael Packard, of Ropes & Gray, and Arielle Kristan, formerly of Ropes & Gray, now of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, successfully represented a transgender client from India who feared further abuse by community members, family and the police if she were forced to go back.  With the help of her superb legal team, client was granted asylum by the Newark Asylum Office.

Anthony Rufo, of Foley Hoag, successfully represented a client from Rwanda whose family was the victim of ethnic cleansing and torture.  Client was also targeted by genocidaires for testifying in a traditional gacaca court against those who killed her family. With the commitment of Attorney Rufo, client won her asylum case before the Boston Immigration Court.

Jocelyn Dyer, of Donnelly, Conroy & Gelhaar LLP, successfully represented a Ugandan client who had been imprisoned and tortured by the government for her political opinion and activities. Fortunately, the client was able to flee Uganda and come to the U.S., where, with the help of Attorney Dyer, she won asylum. Anita P. Sharma of the PAIR Project mentored the case.

Bo Han, of WilmerHale, successfully represented a young woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo who was targeted by government forces for her political beliefs and activism. Attorney Han’s client was a member of an opposition party whose activities included recruiting new members and campaigning for the party during elections.  Anita P. Sharma, of the PAIR Project, mentored the case.

Eric Rutt, of Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, PC, successfully represented a client who was a member of a political opposition party.  Client’s activism led to imprisonment and torture by the government.  Fortunately, he was able to flee Uganda and come to the U.S., where with Attorney Rutt’s help, won asylum before the Boston Immigration Court. Anita P. Sharma, of the PAIR Project, and David McHaffey, of Barker, Epstein, and Loscocco, P.C., mentored the case.

Kevin Su and Lawrence Kolodney, of Fish and Richardson, successfully represented a client from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Client and his family were forced into a refugee camp due to their ethnicity by the government.  While at the camp, the client advocated for refugees and drew attention to the government’s failure to respect human rights.  He was arrested, beaten and threatened with death if he continued. With the help of his dedicated legal team, client won asylum before the Boston Immigration Court.

Yuliya Kuzovkova, of the Boston University Clinical Program, successfully represented a Tanzanian client who was targeted by government forces for her membership and activities with the Civic United Front (CUF), and opposition party. The case was supervised by Professor Susan Akram of the Boston University Clinical Program.

Eric Gold, of Greenberg, Traurig LLP, successfully represented a Ugandan man who was brutally tortured by both the government and his family due to his sexual orientation.  With the help of Attorney Gold, client was granted asylum by the Newark Asylum Office. Anita P. Sharma of the PAIR Project mentored the case.

Kate Metcalf, of the PAIR Project, successfully represented a client from Khazakstan who was constantly threatened and harassed by the police and community members due to her sexual orientation. Anita P. Sharma of the PAIR Project mentored the case.

Abraham George and Paige Goodwin, of Ropes & Gray, successfully represented a Palestinian client.  The client and his family were pacifists victimized by psychological torture and imprisonment in their home, receiving constant threats from the opposing sides. With the help of his committed legal team, client was granted asylum by the Newark Asylum Office.

Brandon McGathy, of Ropes & Gray, and Daniel Lev, formerly of Ropes & Gray, now of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, successfully represented a Ugandan woman who had been imprisoned, beaten and raped due to her sexual orientation. Fortunately, the client was able to flee Uganda and come to the U.S. With the tremendous efforts of her legal team at Ropes & Gray, client won asylum before the Boston Immigration Court.

Adrienne Zack, of the Boston University Clinical Program, successfully represented a client from Somalia who was whose family was murdered by majority clan militia.  The case was supervised by Professor Elizabeth Badger of the Boston University Clinical Program.

John Byrne, of Ropes & Gray, and Julia Monack, formerly of Ropes & Gray, and now at Collora LLP,  successfully represented a Sudanese client who took part in protests against the government.  The client was detained for his activism, during which time he endured months of beatings and torture. He ultimately was able to escape Sudan, and thanks to Attorney Byrne and Attorney Monack, has found a safe haven in the United States.

Rebecca Gallup and Christopher Lindstrom, of Nutter, McClennan & Fish, successfully represented a client from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He was a member of a party opposed to the government, and was imprisoned and tortured by government forces.  Thanks to the hard work and compassion of his legal team, client won asylum before the Boston Immigration Court. Anita P. Sharma of the PAIR Project mentored the case.

Geoffrey Atkins, of Ropes & Gray, and Brian Duong, formerly of Ropes and Gray, successfully represented a woman from Uganda.  The client, a member of an opposition party, was targeted by government forces for her political beliefs and activities. Government forces arrested, detained, and tortured her. Fortunately, she was able to escape from Uganda and flee to the U.S. Thanks to her dedicated attorneys, the client won asylum before the Boston Immigration Court after waiting for four (4) years.

Paul Ham, Anita Agajanian, and Primo Fontana, of DLA Piper (US), successfully represented a Ugandan client who had been imprisoned and tortured by Ugandan forces because she dared to criticize the Museveni regime.  Thanks to the unwavering efforts of her legal team, client was able to find a safe haven in the U.S. and win asylum before the Boston Immigration Court.  Anita P. Sharma of the PAIR Project mentored the case.

Abraham George, of Ropes & Gray, and Kara Maguire, formerly of Ropes, successfully represented a client from Saudi woman who suffered severe emotional and physical abuse by her father and husband.  Fearing for her safety, client fled her home country, and came to the U.S.  With the help of her legal team, she was granted asylum by the Newark Asylum Office.

Jonathan Ursprung, Jon Kravetz, and Chris Termyn, of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., successfully represented a client from Uganda.  In his home country, client was a small business owner, elected town councilor, and a rural economic development advocate who criticized the government's use of military force to prevent a traditional ethnic leader from entering part of his kingdom. Client was kidnapped by government forces, and held without contact in inhumane conditions for over a month.  With the assistance of his superb legal team, client was granted asylum.  Marisa Howe, of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., mentored the case.

Jennifer Broxmeyer and Kristin Fiore, of Ropes & Gray successfully represented a client from Uganda whose activity in a youth group was viewed by the government as involvement in political opposition.  The client was imprisoned, brutally attacked, and tortured.  With the tremendous efforts of her legal team, client was granted asylum before the Newark Asylum Office.

Timothy Bazzle and Caroline Driscoll, of Goodwin Procter, successfully represented a client from Eritrea who was a member of an opposition group that criticized the government.  He was imprisoned, tortured and beaten so badly that he suffered broken bones.  Fortunately, client managed to flee to the U.S., where, with the help of his committed legal team, he was granted asylum by the Newark Asylum Office.

Deanna Meehan and Jessica Sanchez, of the Boston University Clinical Program, successfully represented a young client from Haiti, helping him to obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and ultimately, his green card. The case was supervised by Professor Elizabeth Badger of the Boston University Clinical Program.

Meg Bailey and Amanda Muller, of Bingham McCutchen, successfully represented two Tibetan brothers who were persecuted by the Chinese government and Indian authorities for their support for a free Tibet.  After over 6 years of waiting, the brothers finally won asylum before the Boston Immigration court.  Anita P. Sharma of the PAIR Project mentored the case.

Nicholas Levenhagen, of the Boston University Clinical Program, successfully represented a client from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who was targeted by forces for her political activities.  The case was supervised by Professor Judith Diamond, of the Boston University Clinical Program.
 
Michael Packard, of Ropes & Gray, David Noah, formerly of Ropes & Gray, and Arabela Thomas, formerly of Ropes & Gray, now of Schwartz Hannum PC, successfully represented a client from Uganda who was arrested and tortured by police for over 5 months because of his sexual orientation. Fortunately, client managed to flee to the U.S., where, with the outstanding work of his legal team, he was granted asylum by the Newark Asylum Office.

Gabriela Robin, now of the Committee for Public Counsel, successfully represented a woman from Zimbabwe who was the victim of torture at the hands of the government. Thanks to Attorney Robin, client won asylum before the Boston Immigration Court.  Anita P. Sharma of the PAIR Project mentored the case.