We at The Legal Intelligencer know that there are many attorneys across Pennsylvania who dedicate themselves to helping their communities through pro bono service, but it seems that too often, these people do not get the thanks and recognition they deserve. In an effort to give those outstanding attorneys a chance to be honored for their efforts, we asked law firms, public interest groups and bar associations from across the commonwealth to tell us about them, these “unsung heroes.”
We received dozens of responses detailing the hard work and heart-felt stories of many attorneys, and they were all deserving. The editorial department of The Legal selected the stories below, which feature excerpts from each individual or group’s nomination, for being those that stood out above the rest. The stories below are in no particular order.
 Leiberman |
Mendelsohn |
Michael Lieberman and Naomi Mendelsohn
Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin
In proceedings before the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Michael Lieberman and Naomi Mendelsohn represented a young Iraqi man studying in the United States who was seeking political asylum. The client’s father was an Iraqi government official, and he and his son, together with various members of his family, had been subject to assassination attempts by groups seeking to destabilize the Iraqi government. Some of those attempts were successful. The client and his family believed that his life would be in jeopardy if he returned to Iraq.
After a protracted application process, Lieberman and Mendelsohn were able to convince the Department of Homeland Security and Citizenship and Immigration Services that their client’s fears were legitimate, and he was granted asylum. As a result, he will be able to remain in the United States and to embark upon a path to citizenship.
Liberman is a shareholder and Mendelsohn is an associate in the litigation practice group in Philadelphia.
 Hughes |
Callery |
