Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Associate Carly Allen Honored with the National Immigrant Justice Center’s 2024 Rookie of the Year Award

NEW YORK, Ny. (November 20, 2024) - Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is proud to announce that New York Associate Carly Allen has been recognized with the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award by the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC). Ms. Allen was honored at the NIJC's Justice Celebration: A Night of Recognition on November 19th. The event celebrated the dedication of more than 2,000 pro bono partners and volunteers whose life-changing work supports immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Working alongside Partner Gia Colunga, Ms. Allen exhibited extraordinary dedication in representing a client seeking asylum. The client and his young family faced life-threatening persecution due to his political affiliation with an opposition candidate in Uganda. Ms. Allen and the pro bono team gathered substantial evidence and built such a compelling case that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stipulated to asylum ahead of the merits hearing. As a result, the client was spared from having to testify about the trauma and loss he endured. Ms. Allen's dedication and meticulous work profoundly impacted the client's life.

Ms. Allen is an Associate in Smith Gambrell's New York office and a member of the Litigation practice. Previously, she was an Associate at Freeborn & Peters, which merged with Smith Gambrell in 2023. As a Summer Intern at Freeborn, she worked with the Litigation Practice Group on trademark litigation, non-solicit and non-compete agreements, and other commercial litigation matters.

About National Immigrant Justice Center
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) is committed to ensuring human rights protections and access to justice for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. With offices in Chicago, Indiana, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., NIJC provides direct legal services, advocates for systemic policy reform, and engages in impact litigation and public education. Since its founding in 1984, NIJC has uniquely combined individual client advocacy with broad-based efforts to drive systemic change. For more information, please visit https://immigrantjustice.org/.

About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm's nearly 350 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has 15 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Milan; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.