Pro Bono
At Williams Kastner, we believe that equal access to justice for all is the cornerstone of our judicial process.
As individuals, as citizens, and as attorneys we are committed to upholding this principle and offer our legal services and skills to people and organizations of limited economic means.
Williams Kastner’s NWIRP Pro Bono Attorney Team has secured asylum for more than 20 individuals over the last three years. Members of the team include: Arissa Peterson, Darren Feider, Megan Pedersen, Dana Ferestien, Claire Hur and Roberto Soto (from left to right).
Our attorneys and staff lead and contribute their pro bono efforts to numerous community and civic organizations:
Seattle/Tacoma
- Campaign for Equal Justice
- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
- East King County Bar Free Legal Clinic
- Foundation for Washington State Courts
- King County Bar Foundation
- Lawyers for Civil Justice
- League of Women Voters of Seattle
- Legal Aid for Washington Fund
- Legal Foundation of Washington
- National Foundation for Judicial Excellence
- Native American Economic Development Corporation
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
- Northwest Women’s Law Center
- Puget Sound Minority Clerkship Program
- Rotacare Free Medical Clinic
- Seattle University School of Law BLSA Scholarship Fund
- Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County
- Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association Housing Justice Clinic
- Tacoma Pierce County Bar Foundation Legal Services Program
- United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
- University of Washington Diversity Scholarship Mentoring Program
- Washington Law School Foundation
- Washington State Access to Justice
- Women’s Funding Alliance
Portland
- Campaign for Equal Justice
- Court Care of Oregon – Volunteers of America
- HomeAid Portland
- St. Andrew Legal Clinic
- University of Oregon Law School Foundation
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Founded in 1984, the mission of the NWIRP is dedicated to providing justice for low-income immigrants, helping to defend and pursue their legal status. The organization relies on volunteer attorneys to provide direct legal services to “uphold basic human rights, preserve family unity, prevent persecution, protect children and provide hope for justice.” Since our partnership began with the NWIRP in 2006, we have represented more than 20 individuals seeking political asylum, and successfully secured asylum for individuals from Gambia, Azerbaijan and Haiti.
In July of 2008, Williams Kastner was named the recipient of the NWIRP’s annual Amicus Award, for our continued commitment to furthering immigrant and refugee rights. For additional information on the organization and our involvement with the NWIRP, please visit www.nwirp.com.
Awards
WASHINGTON (October 6, 2010)–Williams Kastner was presented a 2010 Beacon of Justice Award by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. The award honors law firms that have “made a significant commitment to pro bono representation in the area of immigration.” Williams Kastner commits most of its pro bono efforts in Seattle to the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (“NWIRP”).
In March of 2008, Williams Kastner was named the recipient of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association’s 2007 Pro Bono Award for our service on behalf on the Housing Justice Project. A collaborative effort between the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Volunteer Legal Services Program, the Northwest Justice Project, and the Fair Housing Center of Washington, the Housing Justice Project relies on volunteer attorneys to provide legal services and representation to low-income clients in the Tacoma-Pierce County region. Williams Kastner attorneys Timothy L. Ashcraft, Michelle M. Garzon and R. Joseph Sexton were responsible for handling several pro bono cases throughout 2007 involving litigation in specialized areas such as subsidized housing and mobile home issues, and were successful in winning each case that was accepted on behalf of a Housing Justice Project client.