RBGG is pleased and proud to announce that associate Jennifer Stark was part of the Franco-Gonzalez litigation team that received the prestigious 2014 Jack Wasserman Award for excellence in immigration litigation from the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Jen participated in the case while working as an Equal Justice Works Fellow/Attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. More information about the award and the Franco-Gonzalez litigation team here.
“In their ground-breaking victory, the Franco-Gonzalez plaintiffs and their litigation team obtained a court ruling recognizing the right to appointed legal representation for a class of individuals forced to appear pro se in immigration court . . .The importance of Franco-Gonzalez-and the government’s policy response-cannot be overstated. Not only has the litigation resulted in the implementation of crucial safeguards for a particularly vulnerable population facing removal, but it represents a critical step toward improving access to counsel for all individuals facing removal.” (Excerpted from the AILA press release on the award.)