Pro Bono Immigration Law Assistance
Donation protected
I am, by training and preference, an immigration attorney. As a result of financial difficulties, I have had to drop my membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA"), and switch my bar membership to associate status.
Given the recent executive order handed down by President Trump, the need to protect immigrants and their families is more urgent than ever. I want to help, but need to reactivate my law license and rejoin AILA in order to effectively and successfully represent those seeking asylum/refugee status in this country, or to provide legal help to those facing deportation. I want to be able to to this pro bono.
My plan is to work with Legal Aid and other activist groups in the Nashville area to assist immigrants who need to navigate our labrynthine immigration process. Too often, I have seen clients end up in trouble because they attempted to advocate for themselves without the guidance of an attorney. I can help. And I currently have a flexible job as a contract attorney that will allow me to take clients pro bono.
With the money I raise, I will do the following:
1. Rejoin AILA at a cost of about $500 for a year-long membership. The benefits of being a member are hard to overstate. I will have access to conferences, audio and web seminars, and networks of attorneys who are also fighting for the rights of immigrants. I would not dare take a client without this membership because I need the network to keep me abreast of new developments and to find mentors to help me assist my clients. If you are interested in learning more about AILA, you can find information here: http://www.aila.org.
2. Reactivate my Virginia State Bar active status. This will cost around $500. I cannot practice law independently without this membership. (Because immigration law is federal, I can practice in any state provided that I am a member in good standing in any U.S. state. The fact that I live in Tennessee will not impact my ability to take immigration clients.)
The remaining $200 in my stated fundraising goal will go to attending immigration-related CLE (Continuing Legal Education) courses, which are required to activate and maintain my bar membership.
I do not make this request lightly. I am eager to help and to fight illegal actions on the part of the Trump administration, but I need money to get back to the place where I can easily offer my assistance.
I pledge to keep all donors up to date on my progress. Ideally, I will find clients who will allow me to tell their stories on a website (which I can create for free) and all of you can follow their progress. If you have any questions, I invite you to reach out to me directly.
We all have an obligation to use our experience and skills to help those around us who need it. Whatever you can contribute will be put to good use.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Given the recent executive order handed down by President Trump, the need to protect immigrants and their families is more urgent than ever. I want to help, but need to reactivate my law license and rejoin AILA in order to effectively and successfully represent those seeking asylum/refugee status in this country, or to provide legal help to those facing deportation. I want to be able to to this pro bono.
My plan is to work with Legal Aid and other activist groups in the Nashville area to assist immigrants who need to navigate our labrynthine immigration process. Too often, I have seen clients end up in trouble because they attempted to advocate for themselves without the guidance of an attorney. I can help. And I currently have a flexible job as a contract attorney that will allow me to take clients pro bono.
With the money I raise, I will do the following:
1. Rejoin AILA at a cost of about $500 for a year-long membership. The benefits of being a member are hard to overstate. I will have access to conferences, audio and web seminars, and networks of attorneys who are also fighting for the rights of immigrants. I would not dare take a client without this membership because I need the network to keep me abreast of new developments and to find mentors to help me assist my clients. If you are interested in learning more about AILA, you can find information here: http://www.aila.org.
2. Reactivate my Virginia State Bar active status. This will cost around $500. I cannot practice law independently without this membership. (Because immigration law is federal, I can practice in any state provided that I am a member in good standing in any U.S. state. The fact that I live in Tennessee will not impact my ability to take immigration clients.)
The remaining $200 in my stated fundraising goal will go to attending immigration-related CLE (Continuing Legal Education) courses, which are required to activate and maintain my bar membership.
I do not make this request lightly. I am eager to help and to fight illegal actions on the part of the Trump administration, but I need money to get back to the place where I can easily offer my assistance.
I pledge to keep all donors up to date on my progress. Ideally, I will find clients who will allow me to tell their stories on a website (which I can create for free) and all of you can follow their progress. If you have any questions, I invite you to reach out to me directly.
We all have an obligation to use our experience and skills to help those around us who need it. Whatever you can contribute will be put to good use.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Organizer
Anna Gorisch
Organizer
Nashville, TN