On Saturday, March 3rd, members of the Hispanic Bar Association of DC participated in the DC Bar Pro Bono Immigration Clinic to assist those in need of legal assistance. Attorneys conducted intake interviews with walk-in clients to discuss their needs and concerns. Attorneys then consulted with experienced immigration attorneys, and provided legal advice to the clients about potential eligibility for relief. JGL associate and Hispanic Bar Association of DC member Maritza Carmona was one of many who participated in the pro bono event in an effort to help others during a particularly critical time for the immigrant population, especially those affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In total, attorneys served 58 clients. “Helping others in legal need is something that will always remain a top priority for me personally and professionally,” says Carmona.
Maritza M. Carmona is a trial lawyer in the firm’s Civil Litigation practice group with strong experience in protecting the rights of victims in Maryland and the DC area who have suffered injustice resulting from a variety of civil rights violations, including police misconduct and excessive force. She also helps employees recover the compensation they deserve after being wrongfully terminated or subjected to workplace discrimination, hostile work environment or retaliation on the basis of race, national origin, gender, age, disability and other protected classes. Maritza also represents employees dealing with internal administrative grievance processes, as well as other issues, such as violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Helping victims and underprivileged individuals was Maritza’s focus before she started her formal legal career. While in law school, Maritza worked as a supervised student attorney in the Gender Violence Clinic conducting client intakes and representing disadvantaged individuals in divorce and custody proceedings and protective order hearings. She also compiled a nationwide survey and testified before a state legislative committee in favor of legislation to support human trafficking victims. Before law school, Maritza served in the Peace Corps in the Republic of Georgia.
Photo above courtesy of the Hispanic Bar Association of DC Facebook page.
