National Immigration Law Center Recognizes Holland & Knight and Senior Counsel Chris Nugent for Pro Bono Work
December 12, 2007
Christopher Nugent - Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Holland & Knight LLP is pleased to announce that Senior Counsel Chris Nugent has received an award by the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) for his leadership in immigration litigation and advocacy efforts, and his support in the successful Orantes-Hernandez v. Gonzales litigation to protect the due process rights of asylum-seekers by facilitating their access to counsel and legal information. In addition, Holland & Knight received an award for its pro bono representation of immigrants and refugees. The awards were presented during a dinner on Dec. 6, 2007, at the Windows Over Washington restaurant in Arlington, Va. This is the first year NILC board and staff members have selected recipients for their pro bono award.
"Holland & Knight's outstanding immigration pro bono program is second to none, and provides trailblazing leadership in advancing the rights of vulnerable refugees and immigrants," said NILC Executive Director Linton Joaquin.
Nugent is senior pro bono counsel for Holland & Knight's Community Services Team (CST) and has more than 15 years of experience in immigration law and policy. He has worked with various organizations on immigration and asylum cases and received several awards for his pro bono efforts, including the Daniel Levy Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Immigration Law from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Pro Bono Publico Award from the Legal Aid Society of New York.
Holland & Knight is nationally known for its commitment to pro bono work. In 1990, the firm established its Community Services Team (CST) to more effectively marshal its resources to provide legal representation to those who cannot afford it. The CST is a structured, institutionalized department within the firm, drawing on all of the firm's resources and is the largest law firm full-time pro bono practice group in the nation. Public Counsel, the largest pro bono organization in the world, awarded Holland & Knight its prestigious 2007 Law Firm Pro Bono Award. This award is presented annually to a law firm or corporate legal department for leadership and advocacy on behalf of those who are indigent, vulnerable and victimized. Last year, the American Bar Association Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities awarded its second Pro Bono Service Award to Holland & Knight for supporting the section's mission of securing and protecting human rights, civil liberties and social justice by providing countless hours of legal service.
About NILC: Since 1979, NILC has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of low income immigrants and their family members. In the past 20 years, NILC has earned a national reputation as a leading expert on immigration, public benefits, and employment laws affecting immigrants and refugees. Our extensive knowledge of the complex interplay between immigrants' legal status and their rights under U.S. laws is an essential resource for legal aid programs, community groups, and social service agencies across the country.
Contact: Kristin Ricca (813) 769-4335