Pro Bono

At Bunsow De Mory, we believe that attorneys are uniquely positioned to help those who are most vulnerable in our society.  We also believe that attorneys can use their talents to advance causes that improve the world we live in.  To that end, our attorneys are committed to providing pro bono legal services in support of their communities and society at large.   

Our attorneys apply their knowledge and expertise to serve pro bono clients in a wide range of practice areas.  Below are some examples of the type of work that we do.  To learn more about Bunsow De Mory’s pro bono initiatives, please contact Hillary Bunsow. 

 

LGBTQ+ Rights 

Our attorneys have helped individuals obtain asylum in the United States after fleeing their home countries due to persecution based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  We have counseled these clients through every step of the process, from filing the application, to navigating employment authorizations, to testifying at the interview with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Senior Associate Hillary Bunsow was a recipient of the Safe Haven Award from Immigration Equality for her work securing asylum for a Russian LGBTQ+ client.

Our attorneys also volunteer at the University of San Diego School of Law Name and Gender-Marker Change Clinic.  Through this clinic, transgender and nonbinary individuals obtain assistance with changing their name and/or gender marker on their state and federal records.
 

Election Integrity 

In the months leading up to the 2020 election, Wendy Thurm served as a volunteer captain on the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline run by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.  Volunteer lawyers staff the Hotline and provide information to voters nationwide about how to register to vote, obtain absentee ballots, and vote in person. 

 

Nonprofits 

Our attorneys have assisted nonprofit organizations with virtually any need that could arise—from the early stages forming the organization as a nonprofit, obtaining tax exemptions, and drafting governing documents, to preparing contract templates and advising on business relationships, to counseling on intellectual property issues such as trademark filings and management of confidential data. 

One of Bunsow De Mory’s pro bono clients is the Kim Center for Social Balance, a San Diego-based nonprofit organization accelerating equal status for all genders, races, and ethnicities in the workplace.  Bunsow De Mory is honored to assist the Kim Center with such a vital initiative. 

Access to Justice

Our attorneys are committed to serving the needs of underprivileged individuals who cannot afford legal representation.  As an example, Partner Robin Curtis obtained asylum for a domestic violence victim from Guatemala on the basis of gender as a protected social class.  In addition, Ms. Curtis aided the client with obtaining her permanent residency and with obtaining follow-on status for her daughter who she had to leave behind with her parents when she fled to the United States.  Our attorneys also volunteer at local housing, guardianship, and restraining order clinics that provide free assistance to low-income members of the community.

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