The Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Boston office has named senior associate Lyndsey Stults as Pro Bono Advocate of the Year for her work on behalf of her clients, which include an unaccompanied minor and a family separated at the border. Stults has assisted her clients in numerous ways over the past few years, including securing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and a work authorization permit for one client and guiding a family through the aftermath of the effects of being separated at the border.

“When I first met my client, I remember thinking that it was going to be difficult to discuss his case because all of our conversations required the assistance of an interpreter. The first conversation was challenging. He had several questions that I didn’t know the answer to, and I questioned whether I properly conveyed the SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status) process to him.

"Four years later, my client and I talk often and without any language barrier. He often checks in just to say hello — something neither of us could have smoothly accomplished at our first meeting. He picked up English rather quickly, graduated from high school, enrolled in college classes, and is working hard to support his family. I am so proud of what he’s accomplished and excited to see what the future holds,” Stults said.