Patricia Mercedes Herold is an associate based in Gibson Dunn’s Denver office.  Ms. Herold joined the Firm’s Pro Bono team in 2021, as a full time Pro Bono Associate.  Previously, she practiced for seven years in the Firm’s Litigation Department, focusing on white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and compliance matters.

Ms. Herold, a native Spanish speaker, has a broad range of pro bono experience, including significant experience in immigration-related pro bono matters.  She has represented individuals seeking asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (“SIJS”), U- and T-visas, and other forms of immigration relief.  In addition, she represented a family that was wrongfully detained and denied entry after the 2017 Muslim travel ban and assisted families separated by the 2018 “Zero Tolerance” policy—including representing parents seeking reunification with their children and, later, representing families pursuing Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”) claims against the federal government.

In 2016, the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (“CAIR”) Coalition named Ms. Herold to its Pro Bono Honor Roll in recognition of her work on behalf of a young victim of human trafficking.  This award is given annually to pro bono attorneys who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to access to justice for their clients.  She also received Gibson Dunn’s 2017 and 2018 Frank Wheat Team Award, given annually to lawyers who have demonstrated leadership and initiative in their pro bono work and obtained significant results for their pro bono clients.

Ms. Herold received her law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 2014.  At the University of Chicago, she served as President of the Latino/a Law Students Association and worked with the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, volunteering as a Child Advocate for unaccompanied immigrant children.  In 2010, Ms. Herold graduated cum laude from Davidson College, where she earned a degree in political science with a minor in Spanish.  Before attending law school, she taught English in a bilingual elementary school in Madrid, Spain.

Ms. Herold is admitted to practice in Colorado, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.  She is a member of the Firm’s Pro Bono Committee and the Denver Diversity Committee, and is active in the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association.