Pro Bono Spotlight: An Interview With Paula Deutsch
“Paula is the best. She cares deeply for her clients and doesn’t shy away from difficult cases. I am grateful to have worked with her and learned from her as well. NWIRP has been very lucky to have her as a volunteer over the years.” – Bill Schwarz, Pro Bono Coordinator
Paula Deutsch has been a pro bono volunteer for NWIRP since 2017, after she retired from her 30-year career as a federal public defender and attorney with the Legal Aid Society. We sat with Paula to discuss her steadfast dedication to serving the community and her passion for immigrant rights.
NWIRP: Tell us a bit about why you decided to start volunteering with NWIRP
Paula: When I retired in 2017, I had a conversation with NWIRP’s Pro Bono Coordinator Bill Schwarz. I told Bill I felt like I had a hole in my heart, so I began volunteering with NWIRP. Since then, I’ve done many cancellation of removal cases and even an asylum hearing. My experience as a lawyer has always been in the courtroom. I also really like working with other lawyers and legal representatives. I enjoy collaborating and going back and forth with ideas.
NWIRP: Is there any case you’ve taken for NWIRP that has stood out to you?
Paula: All my casework is meaningful to me. Each person I work with is important. I worked with staff attorney Nicolas McKee representing a client from Guatemala who came to the US by himself at age 15 and ended up in foster care. I visited with the client’s foster sister and asked if she would let him live with her when he got out. He had multiple convictions for domestic violence as an adult, which judges take very seriously. I saw the client about 45 to 50 times to work with him, especially on his testimony. On the day of his hearing, he got on the witness stand, told the truth, and did a wonderful job. The judge ended up granting his petition. He was always a good and hard worker. The judge was impressed with the fact that he had a job for a long time and that he made a good salary. It was a tough case, and working with him was difficult at times, but I always felt like he deserved a break and a chance.
He experienced many traumatic events in his life and was experiencing deep depression. He ended up asking his boss to let him stop working so he could work on his mental health. I haven’t spoken with him recently, but he had a great support system with his foster mother and foster sister. I believe he’s living with his foster sister now.
NWIRP: What do you admire about NWIRP’s staff?
Paula: I love working with NWIRP staff. I particularly loved working with Nick (staff attorney) and Karina Perez Gonzalez (accredited representative) – they are great people with a good sense of humor and a strong work ethic.
NWIRP: Why are you passionate about immigrant rights?
Paula: First of all, this country needs immigrants. These are community members looking to support themselves and care for their loved ones. When you also look at what they have been through in their home countries or their journey to the United States, many Americans have no idea what it’s like to go through these things.
I’m not sure why I’ve always been interested in working with disenfranchised people. I sometimes think it has to do with my father being Jewish. He was a decorated veteran of World War II. After his service, he wanted to be an airline pilot, but the airlines didn’t hire Jews then. I always felt that what happened to him was wrong and that prejudice was unjust.
NWIRP: How would you encourage other attorneys to consider volunteering with NWIRP?
Paula: I would tell someone interested in pro bono work and immigrant rights that they should get involved and could start out just taking one case. They can easily contact Bill Schwarz – he’s NWIRP’s pro bono coordinator, does a great job, and is very helpful to pro bono lawyers. You might find it to be a rewarding experience.