Page 23 - Katten 2024 Pro Bono Annual Review

LEIGH BRISSENDEN AND MATTHEW HARTZLER
RECOGNIZED AS NIJC ‘RISING STARS’

During their Annual Human Rights Awards on June 4, the bono service, Leigh said she is “privileged to work
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) honored Chicago alongside the brilliant professionals at NIJC” and is
Associates Leigh Brissenden, Financial Markets Litigation and honored to represent her courageous clients. Matthew has repre-
Enforcement, and Matthew Hartzler, Intellectual Property, sented nine asylum-seeking Hondurans in removal proceedings
as 2024 Rising Stars for their extraordinary commitment to and assisted Venezuelan families with employment authorization
ensuring access to justice for immigrants. and social security card applications. He described immigration
law as “a series of maddening contradictions” and expressed grat-
Leigh has represented individuals in U visa (available to victims of
itude for NIJC’s guidance, which made his work possible. Leigh
certain qualifying criminal activity) and asylum applications, as
and Matthew were among 10 attorneys honored out of more
well as families in removal proceedings. Reflecting on her pro
than 2,000 volunteers that NIJC works with each year.

SCOTT GOEHRING CVLS RECOGNIZES
HONORED AS A ‘POWERHOUSE
LEGAL AID CHICAGO VOLUNTEER’ ROBIN
‘ VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR’ EVANS FOR HER WORK
FOR HIS WORK AT K AT T E N ’ S REPRESENTING JUVENILES
DE DIEGO LEGAL CLINIC
At its annual Law & Disorder event on June 6, Chicago Volunteer
On June 20, Chicago Litigation Associate Scott Goehring was Legal Services (CVLS) inducted Robin Evans into its 2024 Honor
honored as a “Volunteer of the Year” at Legal Aid Chicago’s Roll. Robin was recognized for her impactful pro bono work as a
annual luncheon for his work with the Katten de Diego Legal guardian ad litem and for representing special immigrant juve-
Clinic. A regular volunteer since before joining Katten in 2021, niles in collaboration with the National Immigrant Justice Center
Scott was praised for his compassionate and thorough approach (NIJC). CVLS praised Robin as “a powerhouse volunteer” for her
to addressing clients’ legal issues, ranging from domestic violence swift and efficient handling of urgent Special Immigrant Juvenile
to housing discrimination. Reflecting on his experience, Scott Status (SIJS) cases, ensuring immigrant youth obtain life-changing
noted the opportunity to learn about various areas of law and the benefits before aging out of eligibility.
importance of providing clients with clear, accessible counsel
and a platform to feel heard and respected.

Katten 2024 PRO BONO ANNUAL REVIEW 21