Melissa Chua (Litigation, 2005-2008), co-director, Immigration Protection Unit at New York Legal Assistance Group, practiced in the firm’s Litigation Department. Melissa received her B.A. from the Colgate University and her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.

1. What do you find most rewarding or impactful about your work at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)?

NYLAG’s Immigrant Protection Unit provides free immigration legal services to New Yorkers experiencing poverty. We litigate removal (deportation) cases, appeals to the administrative and circuit courts, and impact litigation to address systemic harms. Our wins in the Immigrant Protection Unit are more than just legal victories; they are chances for people to obtain what we all want and deserve: safety, stability, and a chance to thrive. While the work can be extremely challenging, the influence it has on our clients and their communities is long lasting. Through our work for immigrant communities, we help keep families whole and give them the opportunity to establish themselves, strengthening our entire community as a result.

2. What attracted you to join NYLAG, and how did your background prepare you for the unique legal challenges of working at a civil legal services organization?

Having grown up in an immigrant family, I know firsthand the potential impact of quality and thoughtful immigration services, particularly in a system often stacked against immigrants. NYLAG had an established history of working closely with and for immigrant communities to provide responsive and creative lawyering. Within the Immigrant Protection Unit, I have had the incredible opportunity to continue to cultivate and grow our immigration legal services work to include effective direct services and broader litigation to address pervasive issues. I am immensely proud of the work our team does and the importance of that work to the communities we serve.

3. Knowing what you know now, what would you tell yourself as a junior lawyer?

I would tell myself that there are no wasted lessons. I learned so much about being a fearless and thoughtful litigator at Paul, Weiss, and now, still, I continue to learn every day from the clients and communities we serve.