Lowenstein Sandler has been named a recipient of a 2020 Beacon of Justice Award from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA). The award recognizes the firm’s pro bono efforts, through the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest, in support of immigrants fighting unlawful deportation, family separations, and wrongful denial of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).
The Beacon of Justice Awards recognize members of the legal community who have responded to the ongoing humanitarian crisis along the country’s southern border. Recipients have a proven commitment to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the legal rights of the hundreds of thousands of migrant children, women, and men seeking asylum or hoping to immigrate to the United States. Other law firms recognized this year include Cravath, DLA Piper, and Kirkland & Ellis.
Catherine Weiss, partner and Chair of the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest, says, “We are grateful to be recognized by NLADA along with so many of our peers. We will continue to fight for those seeking safety, peace, freedom, and fairness in this country by improving access to legal assistance for immigrants and other underserved populations.”
In bestowing the award, NLADA honors Lowenstein’s ongoing work for immigrants as described in the center’s 2019 Pro Bono Report. The center’s recent noteworthy work in this area includes the following:
- Overturning a policy that illegally disqualified a class of young immigrants from SIJS, a key form of relief specifically intended for abused and neglected children;
- Filing an amicus brief arguing that the government lacks the legal authority to deport young people who had already been granted SIJS but who were stuck in long lines, waiting for the chance to apply for their green cards;
- Working closely with the legal service providers (LSPs) that directly represent children in federal custody on a wide variety of matters including: providing ethics guidance about the representation of very young children; appearing in the ACLU class action challenging family separation; advocating for the release and reunification of individual children in conjunction with the LSPs and the Young Center; and representing reunified families in immigration proceedings.
The oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel, NLADA provides advocacy, guidance, information, training, and technical assistance for members of the equal justice community, especially those working in public defense and civil legal aid.
Lowenstein will receive the award at NLADA’s event, Scaling Justice: Celebrating Creative Solutions, on September 16, 2020.
About the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest
From its founding, Lowenstein Sandler has been committed to advancing the public interest and serving communities in need. The Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest embodies this commitment, directing the firm’s strong pro bono program and other forms of civic and philanthropic engagement. Through these efforts, the center addresses significant social problems and offers meaningful assistance to low-income and other marginalized people, along with the organizations that advocate for and support them. This work engages the full range of the firm’s talents and reflects the core values that imbue all of the firm’s efforts: to perform work of the highest quality in a manner that maximizes results for our clients and causes.
About Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Lowenstein Sandler is a national law firm with over 350 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. The firm represents leaders in virtually every sector of the global economy, with particular emphasis on investment funds, life sciences, and technology. Recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and high standard of client service, the firm is committed to the interests of its clients, colleagues, and communities.
