DLA Piper is pleased to announce that it has received four 2019 Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in conjunction with the Chicago chapter of the Federal Bar Association, in recognition of its work on several cases last year. These awards honor outstanding pro bono and public interest representation in civil and criminal matters before the district court.
US District Court Judge Edmond E. Chang nominated a DLA Piper team for its representation of two boys who were separated from their parents after crossing the US-Mexico border to seek asylum in the United States. DLA Piper and co-counsel, who were also recognized, successfully challenged the decision of the US government to separate the boys, who were 16 and nine years old, from their fathers. The families were reunited after more than six weeks of separation.
The team of lawyers representing the boys included DLA Piper partners John Wellschlager (Baltimore) and Amy Rubenstein (Chicago); of counsel Leanne Mancari (Los Angeles); and associates Katie Hausfeld (Chicago) and Peter Farrell (Minneapolis); as well as Karen Hoffmann of ALDEA - The People's Justice Center; Bridget Cambria and Jackie Kline of Cambria & Kline P.C.; Amy Maldonado of the Law Office of Amy Maldonado; and Thomas P. Yardley of Robbins, Salomon & Patt Ltd.
US District Court Chief Judge Ruben Castillo nominated a second DLA Piper team for its representation of a pro se client in a prisoner’s rights case against Cook County Jail. The client had asked for protective custody when he was admitted to the jail, explaining that he was an ex-gang member and feared for his safety. His request was denied, and he was later beaten and stabbed by several other inmates while in the jail’s common area. DLA Piper obtained video of the assault to show that the client was not protected during the fight and that the guards failed to intervene on his behalf. The team brought failure-to-protect claims for violation of the client’s constitutional rights, and the case was settled at court-sponsored mediation.
The team representing the client included partner Paul Steadman (Chicago) and associates Stephanie Lim and Shuzo Maruyama (both of Chicago).
US District Court Judge Martin Kennelly nominated DLA Piper senior counsel Thomas Geselbracht (Chicago) for representing a man in Cook County Jail who had filed a suit against the city of Harvey for beating him up during his arrest. After deposing the officers involved and successfully resisting the city’s motion for summary judgment, the client settled with the City of Harvey for $50,000. DLA Piper associate Joseph Carey (Chicago) also was a critical member of the team.
US District Court Judge Thomas M. Durkin nominated DLA Piper partner Ferlillia Roberson (Chicago) for her work representing a prisoner inmate as first-chair trial lawyer in a Section 1983 prisoner's rights case involving an inmate who suffered significant medical issues. The plaintiff asserted the defendants failed to provide adequate medical care, resulting in substantial damage to the plaintiff. The case resulted in a five-day jury trial before Judge Durkin.
“I am so proud of the extraordinary efforts that these lawyers made to represent their clients, who otherwise would not have had access to counsel,” saidAnne Geraghty Helms, DLA Piper’s director and counsel for US pro bono programs. “They made a big difference for their clients, and provided an important service to the court.”
The firm will receive the awards at the court’s Twentieth Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service on May 1.
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