Safe Passage Project is proud to feature Ryan D. Galisewski as our Attorney of the Month.  

Ryan is currently an associate in the Litigation Group at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where he works on a wide variety of complex matters.   

Volunteering with Safe Passage was Ryan’s first experience with immigration law.  He felt the match was “serendipitous” as he had heard from others about the challenge and reward involved in working on juvenile immigration issues, and he was looking for a more personal pro bono opportunity after previously being part of a large pro bono matter.  

Reflecting back on his first Safe Passage case, Ryan describes it as “enriching both personally and professionally.”  Ryan worked closely with his client to really get to know him and learn about his difficult family history in Ecuador, and his struggles and dreams for the future.  Ryan greatly valued the opportunity to then advocate for his client in both family court and immigration court settings and ultimately secure Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and a green card for his client.

Ryan considers pro bono a very important part of his law practice, because it allows him to give back to the greater community and use his legal skills to help others:  “SIJS cases have been especially rewarding in the opportunity to become a close advisor and advocate for clients in need.”  

Ryan had such a great experience with his fist Safe Passage case that he took on a second case, and has begun to mentor other associates within Sullivan Cromwell to help bring more pro bono attorneys into the field.

Thank you Ryan for all your hard work and dedication to your clients. We salute you as our Pro Bono Attorney of the Month for the month of May. Safe Passage feels lucky to have such a strong pro bono advocate in our ranks. We look forward to continuing to work with you and your extraordinary Firm in the future!