Celebrating Seyfarth Shaw and Pro Bono Services in Houston

Monday, November 15, 2010 | 

Written by Megan Mckenna

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Seyfarth Shaw celebrated its Houston office's 15th anniversary with a gala that highlighted the office's years of work in the community, including its pro bono services; 250 clients, employees and guests attended the event at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

The Houston office's Managing Partner Mark Coffin thanked those who contributed to its success. "The Houston office is an extension of our firm's national, full-service capabilities," Coffin said, "and has a history of giving back to the community through pro bono legal work and community service activities."

J. Stephen Poor, Seyfarth's Chair and Managing Partner, praised the office's lawyers and their generous spirit.  "We are privileged to have been part of the Houston legal community for the past 15 years and look forward to working with organizations like KIND to continue to give back to the community," he said.

Seyfarth's Houston office has taken five KIND cases, three of which involve orphans. In one case, Seyfarth attorneys are seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for an indigenous boy from Guatemala. The child's parents are both deceased, and he has had no formal education.  

"Without Seyfarth's assistance, this boy could never navigate the complex immigration court system," said KIND's Pro Bono Coordinator in Houston, Yasmin Yavar. "Now this very vulnerable boy has a chance to receive U.S. protection and a new life. Seyfarth's attorneys have been incredibly enthusiastic and willing to do all they can to help. I've been amazed by the compassion, care and consideration with which every lawyer has treated these children and their cases."

KIND Executive Director Wendy Young added, "Seyfarth has been a leading light in KIND's efforts to ensure that no child, particularly one who came to the United States alone, faces immigration court alone, and we can't thank them enough for their service in Houston. We look forward to expanding this partnership on a national basis."