Stephenson Harwood celebrates partnership with Rainbow Migration for Pride Month

International law firm Stephenson Harwood has celebrated the second anniversary of its pro bono partnership with Rainbow Migration, marking the intersection of Pride Month and Refugee Week.

Rainbow Migration is a charity which works to support LGBTQI+ asylum seekers. Through this partnership, Stephenson Harwood acts for asylum seekers fleeing persecution in their country of origin due to their sexual orientation or gender identity and helps to secure their refugee status.

To commemorate this milestone, our client Anel has shared her story of fleeing persecution in Kazakhstan after her relationship with another woman was posted on social media. She talks about how pro bono support from Stephenson Harwood, facilitated by Rainbow Migration, helped her secure refugee status in the UK last year.

Olivia Loxley, Senior Pro Bono Lawyer, led the Stephenson Harwood team with support from Associate Joanna Tuft and supervision from Partner Darren Fodey. "Navigating the asylum system can be complex and confusing, and having legal support throughout the process can make such an enormous difference," Olivia said. "It is a privilege to play a small role in Anel's story, and we are so proud to support the LGBTQI+ community by dedicating our time and expertise to these cases."

"Our work with Rainbow Migration profoundly impacts peoples' lives," said Darren, Rail Partner and Partner Sponsor of Stephenson Harwood's LGBT+ network, SHout. "Anel now has the opportunity to be herself, love who she wants and live a life free from fear of persecution. To see her bravery and tenacity result in a positive outcome is extremely rewarding. I am proud to work with a team that makes a real difference to the lives of others, and a firm that has these ideals hardwired into its culture."

"In today's climate, where D&I initiatives face increased scrutiny, and cuts to legal aid have significantly reduced free legal support for those in need, cases like Anel's face multiple challenges," said Paul Thwaite, Senior Partner, Stephenson Harwood. "Lawyers have always fought for justice, and against this backdrop, we believe law firms have an opportunity and an obligation to uphold the rule of law, and to step up and support vulnerable individuals.

"Our pro bono work in asylum cases aligns naturally with our values, and our international presence in port cities – which we know are often entry points for refugees. Supporting on these important cases across our international network allows us to build positive partnerships and create positive impact for the communities in which we operate."

Click below to watch Anel's story, in her own words.