Tahirih congratulates its longtime partner Arnold & Porter LLP as its Washington, D.C. Area Firm of the Year. The award was presented to Arnold & Porter on April 9 at Tahirih’s 17th Annual Gala, “Saving Lives, Celebrating Courage.”
“Tahirih is very proud to recognize Arnold & Porter for its generous contributions of pro bono hours and financial support, as well as its demonstrated leadership and dedication to our core mission,” said Debra Winger, an actress, advocate, and Tahirih board member who presented the award to Arnold & Porter at Wednesday’s gala.
The D.C. Area Firm of the Year Award is presented annually to a firm that advances Tahirih’s mission to protect immigrant women and girls who refuse to be victims of violence.
In 2013, Arnold & Porter co-created and implemented the innovative U Visa Adjustment Project to help former Tahirih clients and their children prepare applications to become permanent U.S. residents.
The U visa is a temporary immigration status available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial harm and have the courage to assist law enforcement in making the community safer. It is one of the most common forms of protection Tahirih seeks on behalf of female survivors of violence and their families.
The U visa provides a temporary status for a period of four years, and then an option to apply for permanent resident status.
Arnold & Porter’s role in the U Visa Adjustment Project has been critical in handling the high volume of residency applications that need to be filed on behalf of former Tahirih clients and their children.
The international law firm’s pro bono service extends far beyond the U visa project. Arnold & Porter attorneys and staff spent more than 2,000 hours on Tahirih immigration cases in 2013 alone. Arnold & Porter also became Tahirih’s Bighearted Attorneys Campaign winner in 2013 by raising over $17,000 in donations — more than any other participating firm in the Washington, D.C. area.
Arnold & Porter attorneys practice in more than 30 distinct areas of the law and conduct business worldwide. The law firm has been a strong supporter of Tahirih since its founding in 1997. Tahirih’s founder, Layli Miller-Muro, worked as an Arnold & Porter Associate early in her career.
