Gibson Dunn Lawyers Honored at Legal Aid Society’s Annual Pro Bono Publico Awards

Accolades  |  September 30, 2025

Legal Aid Society

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Gibson Dunn lawyers were honored by The Legal Aid Society at its annual Pro Bono Publico Awards for their work as co-counsel with the Housing Unit on two New York State appeals advancing tenants’ rights.

In Gomez v. Yang, argued by associate Vanessa Ajagu, the Appellate Term reversed a lower court’s order and concluded that, consistent with longstanding precedent, courts must award attorneys’ fees to nonprofit organizations at prevailing market rates. In Union Street Houses LLC v. Levinson, also argued by Vanessa before the Appellate Term, we advocated for low-income tenants seeking reasonable accommodation for their son’s disability.

Our New York pro bono teams included partner Christopher Joralemon and associates Vanessa Ajagu, Sanjay Nevrekar, Amanda Bello, Melissa Murphy, Molly Teague, and Jake Sherman. We are proud to partner with The Legal Aid Society in protecting housing rights for vulnerable New Yorkers.