CA Supreme Court Decides in Favor of Wilson Elser’s Pro Bono Client Sergio Garcia
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 27, 2014 -- On Thursday, January 2, 2014, the California Supreme Court decided in favor of Sergio Garcia, an undocumented immigrant represented pro bono by national law firm Wilson Elser, granting him admission to the California State Bar.
In Sergio C. Garcia on Admission (2014) 58 Cal. 4th 440, the Court held that, based on recent California legislation enacted as a result of this case, undocumented immigrants who otherwise meet the qualifications for bar admission cannot be
denied admission solely based on their immigration status.
Mr. Garcia, who was brought to the United States from Mexico by his parents as a child, has been waiting for an immigration visa for nearly two decades. After graduating from law school in 2009 and passing the bar exam, Mr. Garcia was unable to obtain admission to the bar through the normal admissions process.
As Mr. Garcia’s counsel, Robert Cooper, of counsel in Wilson Elser’s Los Angeles office, prepared and filed supplemental briefs addressing the intersection of the new state legislation in relation to federal immigration laws.
“We are extremely thrilled with this decision,” said Mr. Cooper. “It’s been a long road for Mr. Garcia and we are excited to start the new year off this way – just one day after the new law took effect.”
The 17 amicus briefs filed on behalf of both sides of this case illustrate just how emotionally charged it was, added Mr. Cooper.
“This case will have far reaching implications,” Mr. Cooper explained. “There are currently two cases – one in the Florida Supreme Court and another in New York – considering the same issue.”
This is just one of many pro bono cases that Wilson Elser handles nationally. The firm is committed to ensuring universal access to the legal system, especially among those who are otherwise marginalized.
About Wilson Elser
Wilson Elser, a full-service and leading defense litigation law firm (http://www.wilsonelser.com), serves its clients with nearly 800 attorneys in 25 offices in the United States and through a network of affiliates in key regions globally. Founded in 1978, it ranks among the top 200 law firms identified by The American Lawyer and is included in the top 50 of The National Law Journal's survey of the nation’s largest law firms. Wilson Elser serves a growing, loyal base of clients with innovative thinking and an in-depth understanding of their respective businesses.
Esther Rose, Wilson Elser, +1 914-872-7379, [email protected]
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