MoProBono - Spring 2018 Update

3 MoProBono Spring 2018 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR A “story . . . of intrigue and mystery” is how the presiding judge described one of the most unique and complex pro bono asylum cases that our attorneys have ever tackled. MoFo’s client, a Mexican national, traveled to Iran under the pretext of learning about Islam; however, his real intention was to investigate and record any evidence of Iranian cyberwarfare capabilities. Although he found no such evidence, he did discover terrorist-run religious schools designed to indoctrinate Latin American youth with anti-American sentiment. Our San Diego team won a hard-fought victory in the case in favor of our client, who fled Iran back to Mexico shortly after his spying equipment was discovered. The team used expert testimony to corroborate many of our client’s extraordinary claims, and won him asylum in the United States after harassment and threats of Iranian prosecution by Iranian agents in Mexico, including the former Iranian ambassador to Mexico. It is our attorneys’ willingness to take on even the most unusual and complex pro bono cases, such as the one described here, that underscores our values as a firm, as well as our commitment to pro bono. In this issue of MoProBono , you will hear more about this extraordinary case, as well as many other inspiring matters that our lawyers have taken on. Whether fighting for literacy rights on behalf of underserved students in California, or overhauling unreasonable “hot check” practices in Arkansas, our lawyers are dedicating their time to pro bono in pursuit of a better society. Larren