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Loeb & Loeb is pleased to announce that a team of Loeb lawyers and staff members partnered with Amazon and NBCUniversal to provide an in-person pro bono intake clinic for clients from Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a nonprofit addressing the gap in legal services for unaccompanied minors, on March 22 in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Founded in 2008, KIND has offices across the U.S. and in Mexico that offer care to unaccompanied refugee and migrant children, including legal assistance and social services. Through strategic partnerships, the organization provides pro bono legal representation for these children across the country. Loeb is a long-time pro bono partner of KIND, with active matters in the firm's Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC offices.
Loeb, Amazon and NBCUniversal committed to conduct confidential screenings to 10 unrepresented migrant children in need of immigration legal assistance during the in-person pro bono intake clinic, including three sibling pairs. Five Loeb lawyers, 11 firm staff members and 12 in-house counsel from both Amazon and NBCUniversal served as pro bono volunteers at the clinic.
“Loeb is honored to partner with KIND in its endeavors to help protect migrant children in Los Angeles who are in need of a safety net and would otherwise face immigration court alone and with zero legal representation,” said Kenneth Florin, chairman of Loeb & Loeb and facilitator of the firm’s pro bono partnership with Amazon and NBCUniversal. “We’re entering their lives at a critical juncture when having someone beside them who understands the system can make all the difference for their future.”
The clinic kicked off on March 22 with a CLE training led by KIND, followed by pairs of one Loeb lawyer and one Amazon or NBCUniversal lawyer teaming up to conduct the confidential screenings. Volunteer staff members assisted each team with various administrative needs, including document scanning. Lawyers and staff fluent in Spanish also assisted with translating for the Spanish-speaking children.
“This is KIND's first in-person intake clinic in Los Angeles with a law firm partner since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Iris Franco, Managing Attorney at the KIND Los Angeles field office. “In a critical time for protecting the rights of refugee and immigrant children, we are grateful to Loeb, Amazon and NBCUniversal for their time, expertise and support for this vulnerable population. Your help enables KIND to continue to protect these children who are seeking safety in our country.”
