As part of National Pro Bono Week, we highlight the Pro Bono Team at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP whose hard work and effort make our work possible. Simpson has been a great partner supporting VOLS’ Immigration Project for over 10 years. Attorneys are a huge part of making pro bono work possible and we thank all pro bono attorneys for their dedication. In addition, there are also Pro Bono Team members like Simpson Pro Bono Coordinator, Maria T. Gonzalez, and Jenifer Guzman, Community Advocate for VOLS’ Immigration Project who support pro bono lawyers in their work, play a vital coordinating role and make significant contributions to the success of the Team. Today we hear from Jenifer Guzman and Maria T. Gonzalez in conversation to find out more about pro bono work behind the scenes.
Why Pro Bono?
What is the role of a Pro Bono Coordinator at Simpson Thacher?
- I work with a team of three other pro bono professionals and support all aspects of the Firm’s representation of individual low-income clients, our clinics, and special events.
How long have you been the Pro Bono Coordinator at Simpson?
- I became the Pro Bono Coordinator in 2017. Before that I was a paralegal at the Firm’s Litigation Department.
Can you describe your day to day work?
- Every day brings a different set of responsibilities – I often work directly with teams of Simpson Thacher attorneys on a specific client representation, interpreting or translating documents into Spanish or attending client meetings. I also am constantly doing work behind the scenes with the management of our database and case tracking systems, doing logistical and support work for our large scale pro bono clinics and trainings, and interfacing with other departments around the Firm to make sure that our pro bono teams are fully supported with filings and meetings.
Can you tell me a little bit about the Pro Bono Team at Simpson Thacher?
- Absolutely! I work with an amazing group—there are four of us total—and we truly function as a team. Our Pro Bono Counsel and Director is Harlene Katzman, who oversees the Firm’s entire pro bono program around the world. Susan Cordaro is the Pro Bono Attorney and Program Manager who I work with on our clinics and many individual cases, along with Pro Bono Attorney Nihara Choudhri. We each have our separate responsibilities but always collaborate to ensure that our attorney teams are trained and supported to best serve our clients. That means that we meet a lot in person (or Zoom these days) and message and email constantly.
What kinds of pro bono cases does Simpson Thacher handle?
- We do so much! Immigration matters, small business assistance, Family Law, criminal expungements in certain states, voting rights are some that come to mind. Sometimes we work with clients at clinics, other times we do full-scope representation. We always partner with the legal services organizations like VOLS that send clients our way.
DACA Clinics
This summer, a lot has been happening around the DACA program. There was a Supreme Court decision in June which temporarily preserved the program. Leading up to the decision, we relied on Simpson to submit as many renewals as possible in preparation for the worst-case scenario. After a court victory, USCIS implemented new stricter guidelines for DACA in August. Again, Simpson was there to help us submit DACA renewals for community members.
Why is it important to you to work with DACA recipients?
- The DACA recipients are incredible clients – they are all working so hard in their jobs or in school and they just come to the clinics with such an optimism about what they want to accomplish in the future. It’s always a positive feeling when we assist them.
Some [clients] are older, some are younger, but I know the value of relating to each as an individual and helping to convey their story.
Immigration is a hot topic. Has working on immigration matters helped you gain a new perspective on the topic?
- As an immigrant myself, I am able to relate and have a deeper understanding of the many circumstances that immigrants face in their home country and the reasons they may have for leaving despite what they might experience on their journey. But even with this background, I have learned and gained perspective. Specifically, I have come to see how important the task is of understanding a client’s unique circumstances. Some are older, some are younger, but I know the value of relating to each as an individual and helping to convey their story.
Do you enjoy speaking with DACA recipients?
- Of course, they are an amazing group of individuals! Many of them are professionals who have respect and love for this country and who have contributed greatly to society. I believe that it is not important what part of the world you come from but who you are as an individual.
We recently held a virtual DACA clinic for the first time and it was successful. How would you say COVID-19 has affected Pro Bono work?
- We had to learn a lot about how we can develop the real connection that forms between our attorneys and pro bono clients across using Zoom. We had a lot of conversations with our technical team and our pro bono team to make sure that the technology was smooth but also that the human element was not lost. I am really proud that we have been able to use technology so effectively to keep our clinics going during the pandemic.
Pro Bono with VOLS
What have you learned from working in Pro Bono?
- I have learned about many different areas of the law and how much the assistance of an attorney means to an individual who otherwise would not have access to a lawyer. But what has impressed me the most are the many legal services organizations willing assist those in need and the dedication of the attorneys who do this work. When you see the extraordinary people who come together (the legal services experts and the Firm’s attorneys who find such gratification from helping others) and then witness how much the representation means to clients, it has allowed me to understand all the more how important pro bono programs are.
How would you describe your interaction with VOLS staff?
- The VOLS staff is truly wonderful – organized, friendly and professional. I always appreciate how the VOLS staff explains the big picture with our cases and participates hand-in-hand with us as we plan clinics. They show both expertise in their area of the law and dedication to their clients.
When you see the extraordinary people who come together and then witness how much the representation means to clients, it has allowed me to understand all the more how important pro bono programs are.
What would you say to others to encourage them to take part in Pro Bono work?
- You can really make a difference in someone’s life if you do pro bono work. Finding yourself in the position to help others brings great satisfaction. And the clients will always appreciate it.
The Pro Bono Team at Simpson is always a pleasure to work with and we thank you for the support and representation you provide for clients. We look forward to continuing working with you and Simpson.