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Orrick Team Guides Mother and Son on Eleven Year Escape From Abuse
Morning Report (March 22, 2011)
Date: 3/22/2011
Details:
Orrick Team Guides Mother and Son on Eleven Year
Escape From Abuse

An Orrick team led by New York intellectual property partner Rodger Sadler recently
finished guiding an abused immigrant mother and son on an eleven-year journey
through the New York family courts and the U.S. immigration system.

The clients were referred to Rodger in June 2000 by Sanctuary For Families, an
organization that helps immigrant women leave abusive spouses upon whom the
women depend for their U.S. immigration status.

The Orrick team first prepared and filed a petition under the Violence Against
Women's Act, seeking work authorization for the mother and her son so they could
support themselves financially after fleeing the abuse. Next, the team walked the
clients through the complicated process of obtaining U.S. permanent residency
"green cards." At the same time, the team was busy in the New York family courts,
assisting the mother with obtaining a divorce from her abusive spouse. Finally, the
team helped the clients over the final hurdles required to become full-fledged U.S.
citizens.

The mother and son were sworn in as proud U.S. citizens on March 10 in a
citizenship ceremony at the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York. The clients
are ecstatic and grateful for all of Orrick's dedication and help over the years, which
Sanctuary For Families Director Lisa Mueller describes as "extraordinary."

Rodger handled the case from beginning to end, with assistance from pro bono
counsel Rene Kathawala, New York litigation associate Toi Frederick, and New
York senior paralegal Linda Santos and New York paralegal Barnaby Grzaslewicz.

"I will never forget how proud I was the day I took the oath the become a U.S.
citizen," says Rodger, who was born in Canada, "and I couldnt be more excited to
have helped our clients to escape their nightmarish circumstances and establish
new, independent lives as New Yorkers and American citizens."

Congratulations to the Orrick team and the new U.S. citizens!

OHS Attorneys / Rodger Sadler, Rene Kathawala, Toi Frederick, Linda Santos, Barnaby Grzaslewicz
Staff:
Client: n.a.
Article Type: Department News

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