MHBA honors Gonzalez and Legal Aid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Minneapolis, Minn.) — In recognition of her work on behalf of detainees and in support of expanding Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s removal defense work, Immigration Attorney Michelle Gonzalez was honored with the Access to Justice Award from the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association.
Executive Director Milo Mumgaard applauds the decision to honor Michelle, saying the award is both timely and well deserved. “Michelle has demonstrated repeatedly — during Operation Metro Surge and long before — her willingness to go above and beyond for her clients. She is deeply committed to defending and protecting their essential legal rights.”
Michelle’s supervisor and mentor, Alison Griffith admires how Michelle has modeled staying on the forefront to identify and use the Friend of the Court role to protect the rights of pro se litigants despite restrictions placed on that role by the EOIR.
Supervising Attorney, Alison Griffith
“Michelle has played a crucial role as our point person on rapid response for clients. Her efforts are far-reaching and easily exceed anyone’s bar for excellence. She has developed trainings, created templates, standardized jail visits and recruited and trained many new detention volunteers. She recently won a habeas case that she co-counseled with Legal Aid colleague Perry Keziah to secure release of our client’s father who was unlawfully detained. These are just a few examples of her exceptional work that have significantly expanded our ability to serve our Minnesota immigrant community. We are so proud!”
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is honored to celebrate Michelle’s contributions and her immeasurable impact on our clients and communities. Pictured: Legal Aid Attorneys, Camila Fores-Pacheco, Michelle Gonzalez, Alison Griffith, and Law Clerk Dania Barrera Carrasco
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