June 4, 2019
Los Angeles associate Michael Galas was recognized as a Rising Star by the National Immigrant Justice Center. NIJC’s Rising Star Award recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to ensuring access to justice for immigrants through their pro bono work with NIJC.
The award was granted in connection with Galas’ work on a lawsuit filed by Gibson Dunn, the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) on behalf of their pro bono clients, “Ms. Q.” and her four-year old son, “J.” Ms. Q. and J. had been detained and then separated from each other soon after entering the United States to seek asylum. The lawsuit alleged that the government’s separation of Ms. Q. from J. violated their substantive due process rights and the Administrative Procedure Act. Following oral argument, the court ordered the government to reunite the family within 72 hours.
Galas was recognized at NIJC’s 20th Annual Human Rights Awards Luncheon in Chicago, Illinois on June 4, 2019.