International Academy of Trial Lawyers Working to Bring Four Afghan Attorneys and Their Families Safely to the United States
Minneapolis – Sept. [15], 2021 – The International Academy of Trial Lawyers is sponsoring four Afghan attorneys who participated in a program to help ensure the success of democracy in Afghanistan, in order to provide them and their families safety and protection in the United States. Because these families are currently under active threat by the Taliban, their identities are not being disclosed at this time.
The Academy is partnering with the non-profit organization VECINA in these efforts. VECINA has launched a Freedom of Movement Project that focuses on requesting permission to enter the United States for Afghan nationals in danger. VECINA’s mission is to empower immigrant justice advocates through mentoring attorneys, educating communities, and mobilizing volunteers.
The long-standing purpose of the Academy is to support the Rule of Law and the facilitation of the administration of justice. Academy President Roman Silberfeld noted, “The Academy’s commitment to the Rule of Law is not an empty promise. For decades, we have honored our mission by engaging in dedicated programs to improve the administration of justice around the world. We are grateful to have the opportunity to support these attorneys who fought for democracy in Afghanistan, along with their families, and to seek their protection and safety.”
The Academy’s Foundation recently provided substantial funding for VECINA’s Freedom of Movement Project. The Foundation has made great strides, through its financial support, in promoting the Rule of Law and the proper administration of justice.
About the International Academy of Trial Lawyers
The International Academy of Trial Lawyers is an elite group of trial lawyers representing both sides of the Bar: plaintiffs’ and defendants’ counsel in civil litigation and prosecutors and defense lawyers in criminal cases. Fellowship in the Academy is by invitation only, and trial lawyers are invited to become Fellows only after an extremely careful vetting process that includes discreet inquiries of both judges and other trial lawyers of high standing. While the majority of the Fellows come from the United States, the Academy also is proud to include lawyers from more than 30 other countries.