Representing immigrants gave Brian Murray some of his earliest experience as a trial lawyer. He has since found his pro bono immigration work to be as challenging as his regular trial practice - and even more rewarding.

Murray is an associate in the Chicago office of the law firm Jones Day. He is an appellate specialist and also maintains an active trial practice.

What was your first pro bono experience like?

I volunteered to handle an NIJC case involving a Togolese man seeking asylum.  After a series of extensions granted to the government, when we finally showed up for our hearing, the government attorney wasn't prepared. The government tried hard to get the case put over for another six months; my client, who had no work authorization, and hadn't seen his wife and children for over two years, couldn't wait that long. I insisted we go on, and the judge agreed.

We had worked with the client for a long time on our direct examination. I thought we'd get through it in two hours flat. Unfortunately, though, the court-appointed translator was not as speedy as the one we'd used in practice, and after three hours of questioning, the government attorney got antsy and asked how long it would go on. I offered that I could go a lot faster if he'd let me lead the witness. Amazingly, he agreed. There's a really stark contrast in the transcript from that point on - in fact, the government confessed judgment and waived appeal after we finished with direct, so we won. Our client was so happy.  And I experienced first-hand how the best plans for trial can all go out the window in a heartbeat.

Do you keep in touch with him?

Yes, that wasn't the end of the story for him. His wife and young children were still in Togo. It was really hard on the family, especially since the wife had to keep moving around. But Jones Day continued to support my efforts, including paying thousands of dollars in filing fees, and we were ultimately able to bring them over and reunite the family.

One of my favorite parts of pro bono immigration work is how grateful my clients have been. After we won our Togolese client's case, I got a phone message from him singing a "Thank You Jesus" song! He also gave me a set of clothes from Togo - which I occasionally wear around the office when I'm trying to impress potential recruits. Not exactly Chicago-chic, but a real sign of just how grateful the family was for the work NIJC and Jones Day had done.

Why did you get involved in that first case?

First, somewhat selfishly, I wanted to get a first-chair trial experience. Immigration law is a great area for anyone looking to get some trial work because unfortunately, with the way the system is set up, so many of the disputes have to be resolved at trial - unlike some of the big cases you find at a firm like Jones Day, which often settle.  But my chief motivation - and by far the more important of the two - was being able to help someone who really needed the help.

What do you tell attorneys thinking about pro bono immigration work?

Immigration law, especially in asylum cases, is serious stuff. If no one helps, people die. But if you show up and do your job, you can change that. That's what really matters.

I also tell people that they can really help based on their experience in big firms that already deal with the hard cases, where the law is bad, or the facts are challenging, or both.  Immigration law is like that too.  Figuring out how to marshal all the facts, when your client doesn't speak English, and typically fled his homeland to avoid persecution - without the luxury of stopping to collect and collate the documents one would want for trial - is as challenging as any of my paying cases.  There's a real need for attorneys who can solve those kinds of complex problems.

Was Jones Day's extensive pro bono work one of your motivations for working with the firm?

Without a doubt. Coming out of my Supreme Court clerkship in D.C., I took a good look at the pro bono practices of the various firms. I love Jones Day's open-ended pro bono criteria. They essentially ask: Is what you want to do good for the world? And is it getting you some kind of practical experience? If so, they'll get behind you, and bring the full resources of the firm to bear. That kind of support is invaluable.

Finally, what's with the baseball bat in the corner of your office?

That's my old little-league bat.  I keep it around as a reminder to me, my clients, and anyone I'm going up against in a case. It says, "I'm not going to get pushed around.  I'm going to win for my clients." It's a great metaphor, especially when working with the immigration system. Be tough for your clients.

Read more about Murray's pro bono work for NIJC in a recent issue of the Chicago Bar Association's CBA Record.

For more information on volunteering as a pro bono lawyer for NIJC, click here.