Firm Recognized for Its Pro Bono Efforts in Immigration and Domestic Violence
Manatt's Orange County office has been named "Law Firm of the Year" by the Public Law Center, a nonprofit committed to providing access to justice for low-income residents. Manatt is being honored for its significant pro bono efforts in areas such as immigration, domestic violence, refugee/asylum, fair housing and consumer advocacy.
"We are both honored and humbled to receive this recognition," said Susan Hori, who leads Manatt's Orange County office as administrative partner. "PLC's dedication and hands-on approach to bettering the Orange County community is an inspiration and call to action for our legal community. The projects they've spearheaded are highly impactful and have made a tremendous difference in the lives of many. We are fortunate to partner with such a dedicated and skilled organization."
Throughout the past year, Manatt lawyers from the firm's Orange County office have taken on numerous complex immigration cases for low-income Orange County residents through PLC. They have helped LGBT clients who were victimized and assaulted in their home countries of Mexico and Honduras find safe harbor in the U.S. They have petitioned for "U" visas on behalf of immigrant victims of serious-and often violent-crimes so they can temporarily stay and work in the U.S. They have taken on juvenile clients - immigrant children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by their parents - helping them obtain special immigrant status that allows them to legally remain in the U.S.
"Manatt embraces within its core values a commitment to providing underrepresented people with access to justice, striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need assistance most," said Scot Fishman, Manatt's director of pro bono activities. "We are so pleased that PLC has chosen to honor that commitment and the extraordinary work of our lawyers."
In addition to their immigration efforts, Manatt's Orange County office is also working to preserve $54 million for local affordable housing through a suit against the state of California. They are helping small businesses and nonprofits through PLC's Community Organizations Legal Assistance Project, which offers free legal services to those organizations. They are serving as counsel at PLC's Federal Pro Se Clinic at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Santa Ana each month. And they have provided interpretive services for PLC clients who struggle with English, allowing the organization to take on more people in need as clients.
"The tireless efforts of Manatt attorneys and the positive outcomes they've secured have far exceeded all expectations," said PLC Pro Bono Director Kirsten Kreymann. "The firm provides an aspirational model of pro bono involvement for all members of the bar, giving pro bono matters the same attention, staffing and resources as its commercial matters, which is an incredible commitment and of immense value to PLC and the Orange County community."
PLC will honor Manatt's Orange County office at its 2014 Volunteers for Justice Dinner on June 16 at Hotel Irvine.
More information about the 2014 Volunteers for Justice Dinner is available online.
About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation's leading law and consulting firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany) and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base - including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies - across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.