Page 5 - Katten 2024 Pro Bono Annual Review

MARIO ROBERTSON WINS RE LIEF
FOR HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CASE
VICTIM AFTER SIX-YEAR STRUGGLE

In May 2018, former Katten attorneys Chicago Litigation Associate Mario refusal to engage in the Commission’s
Alexandra McNicholas and Kyle Finnegan, Robertson took over the case once proceedings. After successfully serving
under the supervision of Litigation Senior Alexandra and Kyle departed from the the property manager with a Complaint
Counsel and Director of Pro Bono firm. With Jonathan’s assistance, Mario to Enforce in January 2023, settlement
Services Jonathan Baum, began repre- put together a Pre-Hearing Memo- discussions resumed and culminated in a
senting our client in her housing discrimi- randum outlining our client’s claim successful negotiation by July 2024,
nation case, which was referred to the against the respondents and prepared resulting in an agreement whereby
firm by the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee her and her sister to testify in a default Respondents would pay our client $5,000
for Civil Rights. In early 2018, our client, a hearing because the respondents failed to satisfy the judgment entered against
single mother of two children, was denied to appear. Following the hearing, the them. As a condition of the settlement,
the opportunity to rent multiple apart- City of Chicago Commission on Human the property manager is also required to
ments solely due to her status as a Chicago Relations (Commission) ordered the undergo a training session on fair housing
Housing Voucher holder. Despite initial respondents to pay our client compensa- compliance before he can become a prop-
settlements with other landlords, one tory and punitive damages, as well as erty manager again in the future.
property manager and property manage- attorneys’ fees and costs. Mario then
ment company (respondents) failed to moved to enforce the judgment in state
engage, leading to default proceedings. court given the respondents’ ongoing

“ Having the opportunity to take the baton from the prior Katten associates
who worked on the matter and secure relief for [our client] was a very rewarding
experience. Taking on the matter also allowed me to gain substantive litigation
experience, including making an opening statement and conducting the direct
testimony of witnesses before the Commission.”

CHARLOTTE TEAM HELPS MOTHER
OBTAIN FULL CUSTODY OF TWO MINOR
IMMIGRANT CHILDREN FROM GUATE MALA

Through the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA), a team of attorneys from
Katten’s Charlotte office successfully helped a mother secure full custody of her two
minor children from Guatemala, a crucial step toward obtaining Special Immigrant
Juvenile Status (SIJS). The case, which began in November 2022, involved multiple chal-
lenges, including difficulties in serving the children’s father, who had been deported and “ As a mother of two kids myself, I
sent death threats to the client. Despite these obstacles, the team, led by Real Estate sympathized with my client who was
Associate Kelly Rizzo with support from Litigation Senior Counsel Richard Farley, simply trying to give her children the
Associate Yawara Ng and Paralegal Sara Brown, secured a significant victory when the best life possible. The moment the judge
district court judge granted full custody to the client on August 30. granted full custody to my client, I was
overwhelmed with joy and elated for my
This 22-month journey highlighted the importance of teamwork in achieving a significant client and her kids.” Kelly Rizzo
victory for the client and her children.

Katten 2024 PRO BONO ANNUAL REVIEW 3