Along with eight other Boston-area immigration attorneys, I was recently honored by the Irish Immigration Center for Pro Bono service at the Solas Awards Dinner at the Westin Copley. Though I count many of the honorees as my friends, the most humbling aspect for me was the opportunity to share the stage with Eoin Reilly, a truly fantastic immigration attorney who was also being honored. I met Eoin when I was exploring the immigration field. He is a kind and learned man who inspired me to practice immigration law, and is my standard for competence and kindness in the practice of law.

As someone who works with the immigrant community, I support the work of the Irish Immigration Center. I urge all those who support immigrant rights to learn more about the Center and its good work in the community. Don’t let the title confuse you: the Center works with immigrants of all nations, though it was originally founded by Irish immigrants to work with the Irish in Boston. I am an Irish citizen myself, but I have used my Spanish and Portuguese on more than one occasion in the course of my volunteer work there.