At an event celebrating its 10th year of serving vulnerable children in Los Angeles, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) recognized Linda Dakin-Grimm, senior consulting partner with Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, as its volunteer honoree.
A successful litigator and longtime pro bono advocate for unaccompanied immigrant minors in need of legal assistance in the US, Ms. Dakin-Grimm has worked with KIND for several years, and has assembled teams of Milbank partners, associates, staff, interpreters and summer associates to contribute to over 40 cases with KIND.
Since opening in Los Angeles in 2009, KIND has helped over 1,100 children fleeing violence, abuse, persecution and abandonment secure pro bono counsel. Working with Milbank and other firms through its offices across the US, KIND has provided free legal representation for approximately 17,000 unaccompanied children in seeking and obtaining asylum, special immigrant juvenile status and other forms of relief.
At the event, Maria Odom, KIND’s Vice President for Legal Services, described Ms. Dakin-Grimm as “an unwavering champion of KIND and its clients.” Commenting on her “holistic” approach to serving clients, Ms. Odom remarked that Ms. Dakin-Grimm not only provides the best legal counsel, she also helps children reach their potential by connecting them with the educational, therapeutic, housing and other community supports they need to thrive.
From encouraging her clients to stay in school—and attending their graduation ceremonies—to arguing for the rights of immigrant children in a significant California class action, Ms. Dakin-Grimm is fully committed to ensuring that these young people have the opportunities to succeed in the US. As one client remarked to KIND, “I love Linda so much, not only because Linda helped me with my immigration case, but because she didn’t let me give up on myself.”
Describing Ms. Dakin-Grimm’s current work for clients affected by the federal government’s “family separation” and “zero tolerance” immigration policies, Ms. Odom added, “Our clients are facing increasingly threatening and hostile laws and policies. Now, more than ever, we need fierce advocates to fight for the rights of these children. And Linda is among the fiercest of advocates.”
Several Milbank attorneys who contribute to KIND pro bono matters attended the event to celebrate Ms. Dakin-Grimm and the organization, including Los Angeles partners Mark Scarsi, Allan Marks and Karen Wong and associates Ashlee Lin, Katie Pierucci, Ayana Sumiyasu, Jackie Rosen and Julia Wu.
