Casa Cornelia Law Center Names Fragomen’s Teodora Purcell “Attorney of the Year”
September 16, 2015
Country / Territory
Related offices
Teodora Purcell will be named “Attorney of the Year” by Casa Cornelia Law Center, at the organization’s Eight Annual La Mancha Awards to be held on October 15 at the University of San Diego. Casa Cornelia Law Center is a San Diego nonprofit that provides legal assistance to victims of human and civil rights violations.
Ms. Purcell will be recognized for providing pro bono legal services to Casa Cornelia’s indigent clients, who have come to the United States from Mexico, Latin America, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq, China, and other countries around the world.
Much of the work for Casa Cornelia involves unaccompanied children, asylum cases, U visa, and VAWA cases under the Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), with Fragomen attorneys assisting indigent victims of persecution, domestic violence or other crimes who are protected under the U.S. immigration laws.
“The cases we handle tend to be legally complex, time-intensive and difficult to prove,” said Ms. Purcell. “Although such cases can be heartbreaking, they are very rewarding. It’s satisfying to know we are truly helping people in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.”
Ms. Purcell’s honor is one of three major “La Mancha” awards bestowed by the nonprofit. In 2014, Fragomen was named the “Law Firm of the Year. “
Ms. Purcell also received the California State Bar Association’s Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal services in 2011 and 2013 and the Casa Cornelia Pro Bono Publico Award in 2011.
Country / Territory
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.
Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.
Awards
Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner Teresa Liu, Partner Charles Johanes, Practice Leaders Hedvika and Leader Ben Lear and Senior Associate Hannah Scanlan are recognized in the 2026 edition of Doyle’s Guide as leading immigration practitioners in Australia.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked Band 1 for Immigration: Business in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide, marking two decades of recognition since 2006. The firm is also the only firm ranked Band 1 in the Global: Multi-Jurisdictional Immigration category and receives additional individual recognitions in the USA: Business Immigration rankings.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna provides insight to Buffalo Toronto Public Media on potential IRCC processing challenges as Canada prepares for increased visa demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Blog post
Immigration Director Deirdre Murray explores the impact of upcoming employment permit changes on employers and workforce planning in Ireland.
Video
Director David Iannella discusses how Global Entry can help frequent business travelers navigate US entry more predictably and access TSA PreCheck.
Video
Manager Russell Hodges and Associate Gurpreet Phalora explain key UK immigration considerations for London Fashion Week 2026.
Advisory services
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm explore the EU Blue Card recast and its impact for employers, highlighting how hiring, retention and mobility decisions are affected.
Blog post
Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.
Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.
Awards
Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner Teresa Liu, Partner Charles Johanes, Practice Leaders Hedvika and Leader Ben Lear and Senior Associate Hannah Scanlan are recognized in the 2026 edition of Doyle’s Guide as leading immigration practitioners in Australia.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked Band 1 for Immigration: Business in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide, marking two decades of recognition since 2006. The firm is also the only firm ranked Band 1 in the Global: Multi-Jurisdictional Immigration category and receives additional individual recognitions in the USA: Business Immigration rankings.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna provides insight to Buffalo Toronto Public Media on potential IRCC processing challenges as Canada prepares for increased visa demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Blog post
Immigration Director Deirdre Murray explores the impact of upcoming employment permit changes on employers and workforce planning in Ireland.
Video
Director David Iannella discusses how Global Entry can help frequent business travelers navigate US entry more predictably and access TSA PreCheck.
Video
Manager Russell Hodges and Associate Gurpreet Phalora explain key UK immigration considerations for London Fashion Week 2026.
Advisory services
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm explore the EU Blue Card recast and its impact for employers, highlighting how hiring, retention and mobility decisions are affected.