NMILC thanks its Pro Bono Professionals
Every October, the nation observes the National Celebration of Pro Bono.
At NMILC, we celebrate it every day as our work is profoundly impacted by the generous time and services offered by a core of dedicated pro bono attorneys, medical providers, and interpreters. Thanks to them, many of which you can scroll down to see how they feel about working with our clients, our work at NMILC is strengthened considerably.
Our clients are those seeking asylum or facing deportation. They are young people that are not yet citizens who seek to improve their lives and the fortunes of their families. They are far too often undocumented survivors of abuse. All of our clients look to us to help them navigate the legal pathways towards living life as a citizen of the U.S. This often calls for legal guidance from professionals like the attorneys we are featuring here.
We would like to humbly recognize and give indebted thanks to Valerie McLaughlin, Joseph Karatoprak, Liliana Benitez De Luna, Abby Bannon-Schneebeck, Madison Jones, Ellie Werenko, Chris Middleton and Robert Curtis, along with the many other pro bono heroes throughout years that have helped NMILC serve it clients and broaden its scope of services.
THANK YOU ALL!
If you or someone you know has the skillset and time to help NMILC’s clients (or anyone in need of professional services), please send them a link to our signup forms:
ATTORNEYS
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
TRANSLATORS/INTERPRETERS
SIJS
Abby Bannon-Schneebeck
Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk PA
“Working with NMILC is important to me because it gives me an opportunity to help children and families in challenging situations secure the peace of mind and legal protections they need. It’s a practical way of putting my resources and skills to use to support the safety and well-being of young people in New Mexico."
Madison Jones
SIJS & Economic Justice
Wilcox, Myers, & Jones, P.C.
"I love volunteering with NMILC because not only am I passionate about their values and their efforts, but the enthusiasm and dedication of their staff and volunteer community is palpable as well. I believe we are only as strong as our team and being able to work with the brilliant and devoted staff at NMILC makes me feel like our work is having a meaningful impact in the community. I am always impressed by the fearlessness and thoroughness with which NMILC approaches new ideas and legal frontiers and find their courage inspiring. I am proud to support NMILC with not only their own mission, but with their persistent efforts to lift others up as well."
Valerie McLaughlin
Asylum
Private/Pro Bono Practice
"My first pro bono engagement through NMILC began a little over two years ago. At that time, I felt that the political discourse around migration was especially hostile and I wanted to join in the efforts to provide legal aid to recently arrived migrants. But after completing that first engagement, I wanted to continue to do pro bono work with NMILC for many reasons.
Over the past two years, I have received invaluable legal training and mentorship as part of the NMILC Pro Bono program. As a result, I believe that I have evolved as an attorney and further developed my own legal skills.
The dedication and passion behind NMILC’s work abounds and I truly feel that I am part of something momentous, such that change in favor of respect and protection for migrants’ rights and dignity is possible."
Chris Middleton
SIJS
Youth Law Center
"Volunteering with NMILC is important to me because it allows me to be part of the effort in New Mexico to provide crucial legal guidance to out-of-state pro bono attorneys representing vulnerable youth seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a status that assists them in securing a safe and stable future."
SIJS
Liliana Benitez De Luna
Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk PA
"As a daughter of immigrants, I know the significance of having lawful status in the United States. My hope is that my limited contributions to NMILC’s mission and goals will help others live the life that I’ve been privileged enough to live."
Joseph Karatoprak
Asylum & Wednesday Workshop
Raindrop Foundation
"As an immigrant myself, I am motivated to volunteer with NMILC because I want to use my experiences to help others navigate the complexities of the immigration process. Volunteering is a meaningful way for me to give back to the community that has supported me."
Robert Curtis
SIJS
Robert Curtis Law
"My mom’s side of the family lived here when Albuquerque was part of Spain. It later became part of Mexico and finally the United States.
Thanks to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo they became US citizens. The border between Mexico and the US moved, leaving some of my family in Mexico. My great grandmother on my dad’s side entered the county “illegally”.
The idea that hard working people are being prevented from making a better life for themselves and their families is wrong. It is important to me to volunteer because as an attorney I have the ability to help people achieve their dreams under the laws of the State of New Mexico."
Ellie Werenko
Economic Justice Workshop
Stelzner Winter Warburton Flores & Dawes PA
"When NMILC first started the Economic Justice Workshop I was excited about the opportunity to provide legal advice to a community of entrepreneurs. This is an area of law I have always and enjoyed, and it is a privilege to get to work with a group of people who are creating opportunities for themselves and for others."