Kasowitz Attorneys Receive Sanctuary for Families 2022 Above & Beyond Pro Bono Achievement Award

Sanctuary for Families has honored Kasowitz Benson Torres attorneys with a 2022 Above & Beyond Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Advocacy.  The awards recognize attorneys who have provided outstanding pro bono representation to survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence.

At the award ceremony on November 2, 2022, Kasowitz partner Nefertiti J. Alexander, counsel Teresa Matushaj and associates Binta A. Watkins and Katrina Bader, were honored for securing parole for an incarcerated survivor of domestic violence who was serving a prison sentence for grand larceny.  As incarcerated individuals in New York State are not allowed legal representation in their parole hearings, the responsibility falls upon them to convey their remorse and rehabilitation, while simultaneously discussing a highly traumatic incident in their lives and responding to difficult questions from the Parole Board.  Kasowitz represented the client, who persevered despite various abusive and traumatic ordeals, in both preparing the client's parole materials to submit to the parole board panel in advance of the parole hearing, as well as preparation for a parole rescission hearing.

Ultimately, Kasowitz’s efforts successfully led to securing our client’s parole and she was released within a week of the rescission hearing.  Kasowitz also assisted our client in her re-entry to the community, including supporting her involvement with trauma-informed services.  She is currently participating in the Sanctuary for Families Economic Empowerment Program, which is focused on providing her with counseling, job training and housing.

The awards were held on November 2, 2022 in New York.  View the complete list of 2022 Above & Beyond Awardees.

Sanctuary for Families is a New York State-based nonprofit dedicated to serving survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender violence, and their children.  Every year, Sanctuary empowers more than 9,000 adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through legal and clinical services, economic empowerment, and shelter.