Ropes & Gray Hosts Pro Bono Cancer Advocacy Immigration Clinic in New York Office

In The News
March 1, 2024

On February 26 in Ropes & Gray’s New York office, the firm hosted an immigration clinic through New York Legal Assistance Group’s Cancer Advocacy Project. The clinic assisted 11 vulnerable cancer patients in the U.S. seeking medical assistance under a visa, who need to file visa extension applications prior to their current visas expiring. Their access to lifesaving healthcare depends on completing and filing these extensions.

Ropes & Gray pro bono attorneys and multi-lingual interpreters aided clients in preparing their Form I-539 Applications to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.

The clinic offered free legal assistance to low-income cancer patients, alleviating the burden of legal complexities and allowing them to focus on their health and healing. The participating pro bono attorneys were trained in providing comprehensive guidance, support and document preparation in this crucial area of visa extensions, which help ensure that patients can complete prescribed treatments and access the full benefits of medical care.

The clinic is part of Ropes & Gray’s work to help support those experiencing cancer. Learn more about the firm’s work at United in the Fight Against Cancer.

The Ropes & Gray clinic was led by health care partner Drew Clary, pro bono immigration counsel Marianne Staniunas and senior pro bono analyst Byrne Harrison and included leveraged finance partner Stefanie Birkmann, tax partner Adam Greenwood, private capital transactions counsel Andrea Conzatti, health care associates Gideon Palte, William Shefelman, Kaija Townsend and Sarah Barth, private capital transactions associates Sophia Han, Max Silverstein and Marcus Nemeth, asset management associate Jonas Bahceci, strategic transactions associate Vin Pandolfi, and technical advisor Mehmet Dogan.