McCarter & English announced the promotion of pro bono director Michelle Movahed to partner.
“In her capacity as director, Michelle has transformed the firm’s pro bono efforts, expanding our opportunities to engage in varied and meaningful service to communities and individuals in need, and working tirelessly to ensure that our pro bono resources are dedicated to their highest and best use. In addition to overseeing the program, Michelle has taken on the representation of many of the firm’s pro bono clients, and zealously and effectively advocates on their behalf in courts throughout the country. Michelle’s work as a leader and an advocate reflects the dedication, compassion, excellence and integrity that define the character of this firm,” says managing partner Joseph (Joe) Boccassini.
Michelle and Joe recently led a five-person McCarter team in spending a week in rural Ocilla, GA, where they worked alongside the Southern Poverty Law Center to assist and defend immigrants who are being held at the Irwin County Detention Center. Asylum-seekers who have been shipped from various border crossing to that detention center have only a 2 percent success rate on their claims to stay in the U.S., compared to the 50 percent success rate nationwide. Because the Irwin County Detention Center is deep in rural Georgia, almost none of the people held there have access to counsel.