(May 14, 2007, Los Angeles, CA) -- Michelle Haejin Lyu, an associate in the Los Angeles office of Reed Smith LLP, one of the fifteen largest law firms in the world, has been selected as a 2007 Public Counsel honoree. She is being honored by the Immigrants’ Rights Project of Public Counsel, the largest pro bono public interest law firm in the world.
“We congratulate Michelle for this singular honor,” said Peter Kennedy, Reed Smith’s office managing partner in LA. “This is well-deserved recognition for a job well done in a complex and demanding high-stakes immigration case. We are very proud that Public Counsel has selected her among this year’s honorees.”
Ms. Lyu’s recognition is based on her successful efforts to secure asylum for a female victim of persecution and domestic violence who had to flee her native land. With the assistance of her colleagues at Reed Smith and Judy London of the Immigrant Rights' Project at Public Counsel, Ms. Lyu achieved a grant of asylum for her Indonesian client, Ms.Y.P.
“It is a great honor to be selected by Public Counsel,” said Ms. Lyu. “When pro bono work is recognized and celebrated by others, it is very rewarding. It is my hope that this award will help promote the involvement of other legal professionals in the very important work of helping desperate individuals escaping from their homelands secure the U.S. asylum rights to which they are legally entitled.”
In June 2006, Ms. Y.P. fled Indonesia to escape rogue government officials who used their authority to extort, terrorize, and persecute her because of her religious beliefs, as well as to escape her husband who perpetrated domestic violence against her. Upon her arrival in the United States, Ms. Y.P. was not able to convey her need for asylum, and was immediately detained by U.S. Immigration Service officials for possession of false papers, an act for which she was criminally prosecuted and faced deportation.
Ms. Lyu and Public Counsel were brought into the case through the assistance of Ms. Y.P.'s public defender. With Ms. Lyu’s help, Ms. Y.P. was able to assert asylum in her removal proceedings and was ultimately granted asylum. On April 27, 2007, nearly ten months after she arrived in the United States, Ms. Y.P. was released from federal detention and is now living with a host family.
Ms. Lyu will receive her Public Counsel award at the organization’s seventh annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception from 6 to 8 pm May 15 in the Norman Chandler Room of the Los Angeles Times Building. Karlene Goller, VP and Deputy General Counsel of the Los Angeles Times, is keynote speaker for the event.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,500 lawyers in 21 offices throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com
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