Pro Bono Success Stories

Lowenstein Sandler PC

Attorney at Lowenstein Sandler PC wins asylum for law student pro-democracy activist and torture survivor from Sudan.

Osman Ali Jami was persecuted by Sudanese security forces because of his involvement in a peaceful pro-democracy political party in Sudan. He was detained, beaten, and tortured by the security forces. He was a law graduate in the Sudan, but the security forces would not allow him to practice law. Mr. Jami fled Sudan and arrived in the United States without proper documentation. He was handcuffed at the airport and was brought to the Elizabeth Detention Facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. There, he was interviewed by Human Rights First and was accepted into its pro bono asylum representation program. Human Rights First secured Vincent Antoniello of Lowenstien Sandler to represent Mr. Jami in his court proceedings. Vincent had the difficult task of an expedited detained case. He had to prepare his client’s case in a limited time frame with the additional burden of travelling to the Elizabeth Detention Facility each time he wanted to meet with his client. On September 4th, 2001, Vincent won asylum for Mr. Jami and secured his release from detention.