MAYORA & MAYORA, S.C., collaborating firm with PRO-BONO FOUNDATION GUATEMALA
Read about the conversation between Kristin Volpicella, General Manager at Mayora & Mayora, and Claudia Murga
¿Who is Claudia Murga?
Claudia is executive director at Pro-Bono Foundation Guatemala and works at creating links for voluntary and free support from attorneys in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to handle cases for the Foundation in those countries.
Collaboration from Mayora & Mayora, S. C.
The firm has actively collaborated in the three Central American countries in which the Foundation is present. Under the “Keep Families Together” program promoted by the Vance Center, MAYORA & MAYORA has supported many families by providing legal assistance in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
We make special mention of cases worked in Honduras, where the firm has helped with obtaining copies of birth certificates, a highly complicated procedure in the country since these copies are handled and obtained at local civil registries instead of the Central Registry. Pro-bono cases in Honduras have focused on this work, with the firm handling all such procedures brought through the foundation.
Claudia Murga adds: “I am impressed by this work in general, because I send the cases to all member firms and MAYORA & MAYORA responds efficiently, specifically through Partner Claudia Pereira”. She also highlights the participation of the Managing Partner for the Honduras office, Odín Guillén Leiva, and Honduran associate Daniel Fléfil.
A case at Mayora & Mayora, S. C.
Claudia Murga tells us that one of the member firms at the Foundation was unable to take a case which became an emergency. The same day, the case was entrusted to the MAYORA & MAYORA office in Honduras. Daniel Fléfil personally visited the registry and obtained the necessary copy to file before a United States court, thus solving the problem.
Claudia considers MAYORA & MAYORA a key firm in developing the Foundation’s goals, since it collaborates in a highly efficient manner.
Claudia Pereira, Partner at MAYORA & MAYORA, points out: “At Mayora & Mayora we believe we must give back to our community some of what we receive. We understand there are various persons who cannot afford professional fees to address fundamental legal matters in order to solve a problem. Many times, an attorney’s simple intervention is enough to clear up something that may have seemed impossible to solve for the interested party.
Participation of Mayora & Mayora attorneys in pro-bono matters is carried out in accordance with our firm’s standards, that is, with professionalism, promptly and always seeking the benefit of our clients. We are glad to contribute to the community and it is especially satisfying to support, through the “Keep Families Together” program, our fellow nationals who have decided to emigrate from our countries in search of a better future abroad.”
It is worth mentioning that, in Latin America, the culture of pro-bono work is still in development; unlike in the United States, where it is practically required of attorneys to handle pro-bono cases, even under risk of losing their license if they do not dedicate a certain number of hours to this area.
In addition to “Keep Families Together” – Other oportunities
Claudia Murga believes that MAYORA & MAYORA’s participation in pro-bono matters will grow, not only in relation to immigration issues which are central to the “Keep Families Together” program, but in other legal areas in which the Foundation also supports communities in the countries where it has presence.
