Effective September 19, Government and Public Finance partner Chad Doobay became co-chair of the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) Leadership Board. Katten has maintained a close relationship with the NIJC, having handled scores of matters over more than 20 years.
NIJC, a program of Chicago-based Heartland Alliance, seeks to protect human rights and access to justice for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Partnering with leading law firms, including Katten, NIJC leverages pro bono talent in carrying out its mission of direct legal representation to the population it serves.
"NIJC's model of providing direct legal services, training and leveraging pro bono talent and advocating for systematic reform is second to none," Chad said. "I am thrilled to help support NIJC's efforts to ensure due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers and to involve more people in this essential work."
Chad, who serves as the Pro Bono Committee Chair for Katten's Chicago office, has long maintained an active pro bono practice at Katten through NIJC, including successfully representing pro bono clients who have fled torture, political repression and forced conscription in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Eritrea, Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Kazakhstan, among other places. He has also provided successful pro bono representation to immigrant women seeking protection under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), undocumented youth seeking protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and individuals from Afghanistan seeking various forms of immigration relief.
NIJC's work is supported by its Leadership Board, composed of leaders from across Chicago's major law firms, corporations and civic community. Chad, who has served as a member of the Leadership Board since 2008, will serve as co-chair with Sherene A. Jodrey, a senior counsel with The Boeing Company.
Chicago
