American Gateways presented B&D with two awards in recognition of its Pro Bono work on behalf of displaced immigrants and refugees. B&D was honored with the 2022 Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award. Principal Maddie Boyer was honored with the 2022 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award.

In announcing the awards, American Gateways highlighted B&D’s long-time support for the organization and the firm’s dedication to propelling American Gateways’ mission of ensuring equal access to justice for asylum seekers.

The immigration legal services organization also recognized Maddie’s work as part of a team of attorneys representing a large family of asylum seekers from Mexico before the Houston Asylum Office and the Immigration Court. These asylum cases took almost ten years and hundreds of attorney and paralegal hours to complete and resulted in securing refugee status for the entire family.

“We are proud to partner with American Gateways since B&D opened its Austin office nearly 20 years ago,” said Maddie. “American Gateways, formerly the Political Asylum Project of Austin, changes hundreds of lives every year. I appreciate this recognition and am honored to work regularly with this outstanding organization.”

American Gateways is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nationally-recognized provider of immigration legal services in Central Texas for over 28 years.

Pro bono work is a top priority at B&D. Over half of all B&D attorneys, both principals and associates, participate in the firm’s pro bono efforts. In 2021, the firm exceeded the pro bono targets set by the American Bar Association. The firm undertakes a variety of pro bono work, such as amicus briefs on racial justice and the rule of law, immigration and refugee support, landlord-tenant issues, and criminal clemency cases.