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Sherin and Lodgen prevails in political asylum case involving El Salvador family

Boston, MA, March 14, 2016 – Through the Political Asylum/Immigration (PAIR) Project, Boston law firm Sherin and Lodgen LLP successfully represented a mother and her two young daughters from El Salvador, who fled their home country due to the inability of their government to protect them from severe domestic violence. The legal team was led by Jessica G. Kelly, a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department and head of its pro bono team. The family was granted asylum before the Boston Immigration Court.

Committed to ensuring the less fortunate have equal access to justice, Jessica regularly represents clients through PAIR, and in 2015, Jessica received PAIR’s Pro Bono Asylum Attorney award. Commenting on Jessica’s longtime commitment, Amy Mercure, Development Associate at the PAIR Project, said, “Those seeking asylum in the U.S. face numerous challenges when acting alone or with questionable aid. Quality legal counsel is critical to success, and we are grateful for the support of skilled attorneys like Jesse Kelly. We hope her pro bono representation of asylum-seekers will encourage others to get involved on behalf of human rights.”

In October 2015, Jessica was named a 2015 Boston Rising Star by the National Law Journal and Connecticut Law Tribune. The list aims to recognize the most impressive up-and-coming young lawyers in the Boston area. Nominees were judged on their development of the law, advocacy and community contributions, service to the bar, and peer and public recognition. She also received the MBA Volunteer Recognition Award in 2010.  An avid marathoner runner, Jessica will be running the Boston Marathon for the Martin Richard Foundation in 2016.

PAIR’s Pro Bono Asylum Program is the leading program in Massachusetts to recruit, mentor and train attorneys from private law firms to represent without charge low-income asylum-seekers who have fled from persecution throughout the world. The goal of this program is to secure safety for people who have tried to exercise freedoms we take for granted: the right to express opinions, freedom of speech and assembly, or the right to practice a religion.

About Sherin and Lodgen LLP

Sherin and Lodgen is a mid-sized Boston law firm specializing in real estate, litigation, and business law. With nearly 50 attorneys, the firm handles complex matters, while providing responsive, senior-level attention to every matter.  Known for its effective, efficient and focused representation, Sherin and Lodgen delivers sophisticated analysis and a high touch service by developing an in-depth understanding of clients’ business goals, issues, concerns and emerging industry trends.

Media Contact:  

Lisa Murray
Trevi Communications, Inc.
O: 978.750.0333 / M: 617.835.0396
lisa@trevicomm.com