RJLF Recognized at The Legal Aid Society's 2026 Pro Bono Publico Awards
The Legal Aid Society of New York honored RJLF at its 2026 Pro Bono Publico Awards on October 7, 2026. It is the second consecutive year RJLF has received the award.
The recognition reflects the work of an RJLF team, led by Michael Feldberg, that has partnered with Legal Aid’s immigration habeas litigation practice to challenge the federal detention of immigrant New Yorkers. Between December 2025 and March 2026, the team won three federal habeas petitions in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, each securing a client’s release. Associate Estizer Smith argued and won M.G. v. Almodovar in the Southern District. Zach Jacobs led the team in J.R. v. Genalo, et al., No. 1:26-cv-01512-HG (E.D.N.Y.), drafting the petition with Brian Baran and Letitia Chai. The court granted it on the papers without a hearing, a notable result given that the issue was more complex than in the earlier cases. In L.R.C. v. Maldonado, et al., No. 1:25-cv-06825 (E.D.N.Y.), Zach drafted the petition with Naveed Hasan and Alex Williams and argued it at the hearing.
Legal Aid attorneys Elyssa Williams, Sayoni Maitra, and Sharone Kaufman described the partnership this way:
"The depth of commitment sets them apart... Their extensive federal court litigation experience helps our team think creatively, contributing new theories and approaches to petitions that have strengthened our advocacy in the federal district courts."
"We are proud to have won the release of multiple clients through habeas petitions with Michael and the RJLF team, and we look forward to many more!"
The RJLF team includes Michael Feldberg, David King, Michael Matulewicz-Crowley, Brian Baran, Letitia Chai, James Gordon, Natalie Griffin, Naveed Hasan, Zach Jacobs, Estizer Smith, Nathaniel Warner, and Alex Williams.
Each year, Legal Aid recognizes the volunteer lawyers, law firms, corporations, and other professionals who give their time and talent to provide legal services to low-income New Yorkers.