Pro Bono

EXPERIENCE

Assisted in researching and writing a report for the Legal Services Corporation on innovative, model pro bono programs and practices around the nation.

Led a litigation team challenging the practice of administrative transfers from juvenile detention facilities to adult prisons without due process; secured the return of one young man from adult prison to the juvenile facility where the court had originally placed him, which laid the groundwork for establishing a right to counsel and other due process protections in such proceedings.

Obtained asylum for a number of minors who fled from San Pedro Sula in Honduras, the city with the highest murder rate in the world.

Participated in managing a firmwide hotline to answer questions from voters during the 2012 presidential election. Assisted callers in three states, including New Jersey, where the demand for assistance was overwhelming in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Represented a same-sex couple seeking custody of their twin daughters in a 34-day trial that spanned more than a year. The court awarded custody to the fathers, holding that they were better prepared than the birth mother to raise children who would be proud of themselves and their family.

Represented leading national immigration organizations as amici and achieved a Supreme Court of New Jersey victory on behalf of immigrant children that clarifies the distinct roles of state courts and federal immigration officials in protecting minors from deportation to homes where they have no fit caretaker.

Represented New Jersey residents of Latino descent in federal constitutional challenge to nonconsensual, warrantless, predawn raids of their homes by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of its “Operation Return to Sender.” Settled on favorable terms.

Represented legal New Jersey residents of Latino descent in a federal constitutional challenge to nonconsensual, warrantless, predawn raids of their homes by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of its "Operation Return to Sender." Withstood repeated motions to dismiss and defended an interlocutory appeal on qualified immunity in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Ultimately settled on terms favorable for the clients.

Served as a Lowenstein fellow at Essex-Newark Legal Services representing tenants in eviction cases. Briefed and argued a precedent-setting appeal holding that recipients of federal housing subsidies are entitled to a hearing before the termination of their benefits.

Successfully advocated for the passage of a juvenile justice reform bill, which reduces the number of youth subject to incarceration in adult prisons and eliminates solitary confinement as a form of punishment in juvenile facilities in New Jersey.

Experience

Assisted in researching and writing a report for the Legal Services Corporation on innovative, model pro bono programs and practices around the nation.
Led a litigation team challenging the practice of administrative transfers from juvenile detention facilities to adult prisons without due process; secured the return of one young man from adult prison to the juvenile facility where the court had originally placed him, which laid the groundwork for establishing a right to counsel and other due process protections in such proceedings.
Obtained asylum for a number of minors who fled from San Pedro Sula in Honduras, the city with the highest murder rate in the world.
Participated in managing a firmwide hotline to answer questions from voters during the 2012 presidential election. Assisted callers in three states, including New Jersey, where the demand for assistance was overwhelming in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Represented a same-sex couple seeking custody of their twin daughters in a 34-day trial that spanned more than a year. The court awarded custody to the fathers, holding that they were better prepared than the birth mother to raise children who would be proud of themselves and their family.
Represented leading national immigration organizations as amici and achieved a Supreme Court of New Jersey victory on behalf of immigrant children that clarifies the distinct roles of state courts and federal immigration officials in protecting minors from deportation to homes where they have no fit caretaker.
Represented New Jersey residents of Latino descent in federal constitutional challenge to nonconsensual, warrantless, predawn raids of their homes by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of its “Operation Return to Sender.” Settled on favorable terms.
Represented legal New Jersey residents of Latino descent in a federal constitutional challenge to nonconsensual, warrantless, predawn raids of their homes by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of its "Operation Return to Sender." Withstood repeated motions to dismiss and defended an interlocutory appeal on qualified immunity in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Ultimately settled on terms favorable for the clients.
Served as a Lowenstein fellow at Essex-Newark Legal Services representing tenants in eviction cases. Briefed and argued a precedent-setting appeal holding that recipients of federal housing subsidies are entitled to a hearing before the termination of their benefits.
Successfully advocated for the passage of a juvenile justice reform bill, which reduces the number of youth subject to incarceration in adult prisons and eliminates solitary confinement as a form of punishment in juvenile facilities in New Jersey.
Leads the firm's representation of children in immigration proceedings, ensuring that many each year are placed with safe custodians, protected from persecution in their home countries, and defended from deportation.
Partnered with Merck and Legal Services of Northwest Jersey to create and run the Veterans Justice Initiative, which was recognized as a model private-nonprofit partnership at the 2014 White House Access to Justice Forum. Enlisted corporate legal departments at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi in the initiative. Helped secure pro bono medical evaluations for veterans seeking disability benefits.
Partnered with Merck and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice to create and run a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Program and argued an appeal in the Supreme Court of New Jersey that successfully dispelled unfounded legal ethics concerns about the program, clearing the way for broader nationwide participation by the bankruptcy bar in pro bono practice.
Ran voter hotlines for Election Protection in several national and state elections, creating materials that outlined the election laws of various states, training and managing hundreds of volunteers in responding to questions from voters, and working with election officials to solve problems as they arose on Election Day and in the surrounding weeks.
Represented legal New Jersey residents of Latino descent in a federal constitutional challenge to nonconsensual, warrantless, predawn raids of their homes by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of its "Operation Return to Sender." Withstood repeated motions to dismiss and defended an interlocutory appeal on qualified immunity in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Ultimately settled on terms favorable for the clients.
Represented legal academics in an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court arguing that a storefront bakery is a classic public accommodation which, like all other commercial businesses open to the public, cannot succeed in claiming a First Amendment exemption from its obligation to serve its customers without discrimination based on sexual orientation.

NEWS & INSIGHTS

Honors & Awards

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (2024):
Catherine Weiss – Recipient of Partner in Justice Award for advancing equal access to justice for all in New Jersey
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) (2024):
Catherine Weiss – Recipient of Juan P. Osuna Memorial Award for exceptional compassion, kindness, and commitment to the rights and protection of unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children
National Legal Aid & Defender Association: Beacon of Justice Award (2014, 2020-2021, 2024-2025):
Recipient of the Beacon of Justice Award for the firm’s pro bono efforts advancing equal justice for families and communities (2025); addressing issues related to civil and human rights (2024), addressing systemic racial disparities (2021), supporting immigration efforts (2020), and creating and implementing innovative strategies to improve life outcomes for low income individuals (2014)
New Jersey Law Journal: Lifetime Achievement Award (2016)
Common Cause: Champion of Democracy (2013)
NJ League of Women Voters: Hurricane Heroes Award (2013)
New York Civil Liberties Union: Leadership Award in Reproductive Rights (2003)
United States Patent and Trademark Office: Patent Pro Bono Certificate (2018)
HANDS, Inc.: Community Leadership Award (2018):
Recognized for the firm’s demonstrated commitment to assisting HANDS' efforts to revitalize neighborhoods that sustain an equitable balance of business, education, arts and culture, and recreation
American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey: Legal Leadership Award (2019):
Recognized for the firm's efforts to prevent the deportation of Indonesian Christians facing religious persecution
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund: Pro Bono Partner of the Year (2019):
Recognized for the firm's work launching and sustaining the Name Change Project in New Jersey
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto: Firm of the Year (2019):
Recognized for the firm's work to clear low-level criminal records for pro bono clients
Legal Services of New Jersey: Equal Justice Medal (2019):
Recognized for the firm’s collaboration with Legal Services of Northwest Jersey in representing veterans in disability matters
Los Angeles IP Law Association (2020):
Benjamin Kimes – Recipient of the Pro Bono Patent Service Award for his significant work helping low-income inventors secure patents for their inventions
United States Patent and Trademark Office: Patent Pro Bono Certificate (2018, 2020)
LAIPLA: Pro Bono Patent Service Award (2020)
CLA: Pro Bono Patent Service Award (2020)
New Jersey State Bar Association (2020):
Catherine Weiss – Recipient of the Pillar of Justice Award in recognition of her pro bono work during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially her leadership in statewide efforts to prevent evictions
YWCA Union County (2020):
Catherine Weiss – Centennial Gala Honoree in recognition of her lifelong commitment to public service and ensuring access to justice for survivors of domestic violence, immigrants, low-income tenants, and other marginalized communities
Lawyers Alliance for New York: Cornerstone Award (2020):
Recognized for the firm's extraordinary contributions through pro bono legal services that help nonprofits to address critical human needs and improve the quality of life for thousands of low-income New Yorkers
Partners for Women and Justice (2021):
Catherine Weiss – Recipient of Partner in Hope Award for dedication and commitment to providing pro bono representation to Partners for Women and Justice clients
Her Justice: Her Justice (2021):
Kathleen A. McGee, Natalie J. Kraner, and Carly Coleman – Recipients of the Commitment to Justice Award for outstanding pro bono legal representation
Her Justice: Commitment to Justice Award (2021):
Recognizing outstanding pro bono legal representation
VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR JUSTICE (2021):
Meg Slachetka– Recognized as March 2021 Volunteer of the Month for her contributions to the Tenancy Clinic
Pro Bono Partnership: Pandemic Response Award (2020):
Recognized for its support of PBP nonprofit clients applying for government relief through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR JUSTICE (2021):
Diane Claussen – Recognized as July 2021 Volunteer of the Month for her contributions to the Debt Relief Legal Program
Immigration Justice Campaign (September 2021):
Catherine Weiss, Peter Slocum, Allison Gabala – Recipients of the Volunteer of the Quarter award in recognition of extraordinary dedication of time and talent in the fight to give detained immigrants their fair day in court
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) (2021):
Jeffrey J. Wild, Natalie J. Kraner, Rasmeet K. Chahil, Stacy Martinez – Recognized as 2021 Pro Bono Team of the Year in New Jersey for their contributions winning asylum for their young client from Central America who was separated from his parent upon entry into the United States
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND): Founder's Award (2016):
Recognized for the firm's sustained commitment to KIND since its founding
The Legal Aid Society: Pro Bono Publico Award (2021):
Recognized for exceptional pro bono legal service to low-income communities
Legal Services of New Jersey (2022):
Douglas Eakeley – Recipient of Equal Justice Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to strengthening the infrastructure that supports free legal representation for low-income people
CASA of Essex County (2022):
Karim Kaspar – 2022 Honoree in recognition of his commitment to the foster youth of Essex County, the public interest, and the community has a whole
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (2022):
Douglas Eakeley – Recipient of Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein Social Justice Award for his advocacy for justice and dedication to assisting marginalized communities
QSpot LGBT Community Center (2022):
Allison Gabala, Daniel Suckerman, Stephen Tanico, Stacey Tyler – Recipients of QSpot Community Award for their contributions to the LGBT community by handling the real estate transactions that settled QSpot in its new space
Essex County Bar Association (2023):
Michael Kaplan – Recipient of Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award for his tireless representation of survivors of domestic violence in their final restraining order hearings
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (2023):
Megan Williams – Recognized as April 2023 Volunteer of the Month for her contributions to the Tenancy Clinic
New Jersey Law Journal (2023):
Natalie Kraner – Recipient of a New Jersey Legal Award in the mentorship category for her dedication to helping more junior lawyers advance their skills and become strong writers, critical thinkers, and successful advocates for their clients
Bloomberg Law: Bloomberg Law (2023-2025):
Recognized with the Pro Bono Innovator Award for the firm’s work advancing affordable homeownership and protecting the rights and safety of unhoused individuals (2025); preserving access to gender-affirming care for adults and children in Florida and advising workers in Nigeria of their labor rights and the mechanisms to report violations (2024); and building the endowments of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and reducing extreme prison sentences for juvenile offenders (2023)
City Bar Justice Center (2024):
Christina Holder – Recipient of Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award for her commitment to providing compassionate and quality life planning services to clients of the Cancer Advocacy and Elderlaw Projects.
Lawyers Alliance for New York (2024):
Christina Holder – Recipient of the inaugural Pro Bono Professional Cornerstone Award for the exceptional transactional expertise she provides to New York nonprofit clients and for her thoughtful coordination of the firm’s corporate pro bono engagements
VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR JUSTICE (2025):
Alyssa D'Antonio – Recognized as September 2025 Volunteer of the Month for her contributions to the Tenancy Clinic
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (2025):
Denise Panzer – Recipient of the Outstanding Advocate for Justice Award for her decade-long commitment connecting marginalized communities with legal services, including transgender clients seeking name changes, tenants facing eviction, and individuals pursuing a fresh financial start.
KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE (KIND) (2025):
Markiana Julceus, Erika Mannix, Jackie Rojas, Catherine Weiss – Recipients of the KINDness Matters Award for Newark in recognition of their outstanding support securing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for their client and ensuring his safety through dedicated legal advocacy

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