Attorneys filled the largest conference room in the Atlanta office recently for a training presented by Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) to educate attorneys about assisting unaccompanied minors seeking special juvenile immigration status and asylum. The firm hosted the training session, led by KIND’s managing attorney, Christina Iturralde Thomas (pictured).   Approximately fifty (50) Atlanta attorneys attended the event, with eight from Nelson Mullins Atlanta office and four Greenville attorneys participating by video conference. Nelson Mullins accepted two new KIND cases after the training session. Numerous Firm attorneys have provided pro bono legal assistance to unaccompanied immigrant children seeking asylum since 2016 in Boston, Atlanta, South Carolina, and Washington, DC. 

KIND was established by the Microsoft Corp. in conjunction with actress Angelina Jolie nearly 10 years ago to train and promote pro bono representation of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the United States. According to the organization, “KIND staff and our pro bono attorney partners at law firms, corporations, and law schools nationwide represent unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children in their deportation proceedings. Together, we ensure that no child stands in court alone.” In addition to legal services, the organization also contributes resources toward international programs and social services, as well as policy and education outreach.