Seward & Kissel LLP Helps Tibetan Refugee Win Asylum in United States

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Seward & Kissel LLP is pleased to announce that a three-member team of
attorneys has secured asylum in the United States for a Tibetan refugee
who had been tortured by authorities in his native country and spent the
past six months in immigration detention in New Jersey.

The firm’s client initially requested asylum at Newark Liberty
International Airport after fleeing political and religious persecution.
He had sustained abuse at the hands of the Chinese police in Tibet,
where he was detained and tortured with electric shocks over the course
of a month for organizing a peaceful celebration of the Dalai Lama’s
80th birthday. The Chinese police conditioned his release on his
willingness to denounce the Dalai Lama. He refused to do so, and chose
to flee Tibet rather than face further detention and torture.

After a six-month detention in New Jersey, he was granted asylum
following a vigorously contested, four-hour-long hearing at the
Elizabeth Immigration Court on March 2, 2017. The victorious Seward &
Kissel team included associates Noah
Czarny, Molly
Kammien, and Angela
Urbano, who were brought in to the matter by Human Rights First, a
non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in
New York, Washington, D.C., Houston, and Los Angeles.

“We are thrilled that our client is now able to establish a home in the
United States and escape the political and religious persecution he has
suffered,” said Jack
Yoskowitz, partner in charge of pro bono efforts at Seward & Kissel.
“We will continue to work with Human Rights First to see that
international refugees receive the best counsel possible.”

In 2016, Czarny, Kammien, and Urbano each received Human Rights First’s
Pro Bono Star award, given annually to attorneys who demonstrate
extraordinary commitment to clients seeking immigration protection. They
received the honor in connection with their work in securing asylum for
another pro bono client in 2016.

About Seward & Kissel LLP

Seward
& Kissel LLP is a leading U.S. law firm with an international
reputation for excellence, which primarily handles corporate and
litigation work for clients seeking legal expertise in the financial
services, corporate finance, and capital markets areas. The firm’s Pro
Bono Initiative empowers attorneys to give back to their community by
providing needed advice and counsel to those who would otherwise lack
representation. Attorneys work with individuals and organizations on a
broad spectrum of matters, including immigration, civil rights, domestic
violence, urban poverty, and employment discrimination.

Contacts

Seward & Kissel LLP
Molly McLeod, 646-386-7675
mmcleod@baretzbrunelle.com