Mintz Associate Todd Rosenbaum was featured in a “Pro Bono Attorney Spotlight” column published by KIND, a nonprofit organization that aims to provides protection for unaccompanied children who enter the U.S. immigration system alone and ensure that no child appears in immigration court without representation, for his significant contributions to multiple pro bono cases involving unaccompanied minors, and his commitment to pro bono work overall.

Most recently, Mr. Rosenbaum took on representation of a KIND client from El Salvador in their application for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. He shared his thoughts on his pro bono experience in the Q&A, included below.

When and why did you first take a KIND case?

I took my first KIND case in 2012 pretty soon after starting my first job as an attorney. Prior to attending law school, I taught elementary school in East Harlem. KIND allowed me to blend my passion for helping children with my newfound role as an advocate, which turned out to be a perfect fit.

What have you learned from this experience or from your KIND client?

Children are more resilient than adults regularly give them credit for. My KIND clients have manifested their resilience by maintaining optimism despite uncertainty about things as fundamental as their own security. We all can gain perspective from their courage.

What is the most surprising thing that you've learned about the U.S. immigration system?

It is incredibly fragmented and bureaucratic. People talk of "immigration reform" in terms of who should be permitted to enter and stay in the U.S., but not necessarily about how fundamentally broken the administrative agencies responsible for implementing U.S. immigration policy are.

What would you tell other attorneys to encourage them to take a KIND case?

By representing a client through KIND, you will make a difference in a child's life in a tangible way. No matter what type of law you practice, you can be a lever of social change. Every child deserves an ally.

Do you have any advice for attorneys who may be taking their first pro bono case?

Don't be intimidated. KIND is a fantastic resource and is here to assist you every step of the way. You've got this!