Sanctuary for Families Honors Rosemonde Pierre-Louis,
Senior Advisor on Gender Equity, at the 2015 Above & Beyond Pro Bono Awards

19 Teams of Pro Bono Attorneys from Leading Law Firms Recognized for their Work on Behalf of Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking

Mayor de Blasio Declares October 19 "Sanctuary for Families Day" in New York City



(NEW YORK, NY) - Sanctuary for Families, New York State's leading service provider for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence recently hosted the 13th annual Above & Beyond Pro Bono Awards benefit honoring members of the legal profession for their outstanding pro bono representation and advocacy on behalf of Sanctuary's clients.

Singled out for her long-term advocacy and public service on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking, was Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, the city's newly appointed Senior Advisor on Gender Equity, recipient of this year's Above & Beyond Leadership Award. In her prior position in the de Blasio administration, Ms. Pierre-Louis served as Commissioner of the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence, where she oversaw the citywide delivery of domestic violence services, developed policies and programs and worked with diverse communities to increase awareness of domestic violence. She has been widely recognized as an advocate, educator and attorney for women's and immigrant's rights, underserved communities and survivors of domestic violence. Early in her career, she played an integral role at Sanctuary for Families' Center for Battered Women's Legal Services.

Lawyers from 12 New York City law firms were honored with the 2015 Above & Beyond Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Advocacy. These pro bono lawyers supported Sanctuary's Legal Center attorneys in their work representing and advising more than 5,000 domestic violence and trafficking survivors in cases including orders of protection, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, divorce, prosecution of batterers and an array of complex immigration and asylum matters. The law firms include: Cahill Gordon & Reindel; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Debevoise & Plimpton; Greenberg Traurig; Kirkland & Ellis; McDermott Will & Emery; Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy; Morrison & Foerster; Schulte Roth & Zabel; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; WilmerHale; and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

The assistance provided by these pro bono legal teams transforms lives. For instance, Heather arrived at Sanctuary's Bronx Family Justice Center location with her two-year-old son after being viciously attacked by her partner. Immediately, a team of pro bono attorneys led by a senior Sanctuary attorney successfully prepared and filed a difficult-to-obtain five-year order of protection and helped her win full custody of her child. Thanks to excellent legal support, today Heather has a good job and apartment, and her son is enrolled in pre-kindergarten. "[My attorneys] and Sanctuary gave me my life back," says Heather.

Additionally, Sanctuary for Families honored seven firms for their leadership as founding partners in a new initiative launched this year that provides pro bono staffing to New York City's Human Trafficking Intervention Courts: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; Kirkland & Ellis; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Hon. Judy Harris Kluger, Executive Director of Sanctuary for Families, said, "Fighting for the rights of survivors of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence takes heart, skill and courage. We are proud to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Ms. Pierre-Louis, one of Sanctuary's own, who has worked diligently on behalf of the de Blasio Administration to make resources available to victims of domestic violence in New York City. And we are humbled by the selfless commitment of these lawyers and their firms, who give generously of their time and expertise. We could not be in this fight without them."

Pierre-Louis said, "I am honored to be recognized by Sanctuary for Families, which helped shape my thinking about the best ways to help domestic violence survivors. I am also proud to be among so many attorneys, this evening, who are committed to helping domestic violence survivors through such extraordinary pro bono service. We all share a deep commitment to ensuring that victims of all forms of gender-based violence and human trafficking know that they are not alone and that help is available. By uniting in this effort, we can make significant strides together to end domestic violence."

In a proclamation declaring October 19, 2015 as "Sanctuary for Families Day" in the City of New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote, "Each year, thousands of New Yorkers from across the five boroughs who are survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and gender violence seek assistance from Sanctuary for Families. Sanctuary helps these individuals and their families escape their abusers and rebuild safe, stable, and healthy lives. We are proud to honor Sanctuary for Families and its remarkable three decades of service to our residents."

The Above & Beyond Pro Bono Awards are spearheaded by Sanctuary's Pro Bono Council. The event was held at The Highline Ballroom.

For more information about Sanctuary for Families, visit www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org

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Sanctuary for Families is New York's leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender violence. Each year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services.