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Â鶹ֱ²¥ & Lardner LLP secured a life-changing pro bono victory with the approval of a U visa petition on behalf of a survivor of domestic violence, bringing to a close nearly a decade of advocacy and uncertainty for the firm’s client.

Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s client survived domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and demonstrated remarkable courage in working with law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office to obtain an order of protection against him. She was referred to Â鶹ֱ²¥ through the firm’s partnership with Her Justice, a New York nonprofit committed to providing free legal services to women living in poverty, and in 2017, Â鶹ֱ²¥ prepared and filed her U visa application.

Due to lengthy nationwide delays in U visa adjudications, the matter remained pending for nine years. Throughout that time, Â鶹ֱ²¥ continued to support the client, including successfully renewing her employment authorization to ensure she could continue working lawfully in the United States while awaiting a decision.

The approval of the U visa now grants Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s client lawful status in the United States, continued employment authorization, and protection from removal. It also provides long-awaited stability and security and places her on a path to apply for lawful permanent residence and build a safer future.

Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s pro bono team was led by senior counsel Fatih Mercan.