National Immigrant Justice Center Designates Jacqueline Pimentel-Gannon a Rising Star

Jacqueline Pimentel-Gannon of Faegre Baker Daniels was presented with a Rising Star Award from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) on June 12.

The Rising Star designation recognizes extraordinary commitment to ensuring access to justice and generosity in providing high quality pro bono services to clients with complex immigration cases.

Pimentel-Gannon, an associate in FaegreBD's nonprofit organizations group, has volunteered at NIJC clinics assisting immigrant youth in filing applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which also enables the youth to receive work authorization. She has represented individuals in pro bono asylum proceedings through NIJC. Most recently, Pimentel-Gannon and a FaegreBD team consisting of Andy Campbell, Ryann Ricchio, Emily Campbell, Scott Halbur and Jo Fitzgerald helped two sisters and their children, who will now be able to remain in the U.S. indefinitely and not be forced to return to the gang violence that took the life of a third sister in their home country.

Pimentel-Gannon also has participated in refugee adjustment clinics through the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic in Indianapolis, and has devoted many hours to a variety of other pro bono causes.

In her legal practice, Pimentel-Gannon represents all kinds of nonprofit organizations on matters ranging from formation and governance issues to tax exemption applications. She also advises on a variety of real estate development and finance matters.

Pimentel-Gannon and the other awardees were honored at NIJC's 15th Annual Human Rights Awards luncheon on June 12 at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel.