OCTOBER 31, 2024  – The Los Angeles office of KIND (Kids in Need of Defense) has honored Alex Cadena, an attorney in the media/entertainment group at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, as its Pro Bono Advocate of the Year.

The award recognizes "outstanding pro bono attorneys and volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their assistance to unaccompanied children this year."

KIND lauded Cadena for her "remarkable commitment and unwavering resolve" on behalf of a young man who recently obtained his green card.

Cadena first began working on the long-running matter while serving as a DWT summer associate in 2021. The case presented a number of challenges, including errors on the part of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

"This case was a test in endurance," said Cadena. "I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to work alongside the inspiring immigration attorneys at KIND and I hope that no future children seeking refuge in this country will have to wait as long as our client did for the security he now feels."

Jon Segal was the partner mentor on this matter and counsel Vandana Kapur also provided support. The case is part of a large-scale partnership, first launched in 2017, between DWT, KIND, and in-house counsel at Amazon.

"I couldn't be prouder of Alex," said Joanna Plichta Boisen, chief pro bono and social impact officer at DWT. "Her unrelenting commitment to this matter is a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we refuse to back down, and what it means to fight for justice with heart and resolve."

About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more about the firm's pro bono commitment at https://www.dwt.com/about/pro-bono .