Casa Cornelia Law Center Names Fragomen’s Teodora Purcell “Attorney of the Year”
September 16, 2015
Country / Territory
Related offices
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
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen
Fragomen news
Fragomen earned top national and regional rankings in Chambers USA 2026, including its 13th consecutive year in Band 1 nationwide.
Blog post
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the remaining opportunities under Ireland’s winding-down Immigrant Investor Programme and what they mean for eligible investors and their families.
Blog post
Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit analyses the UK’s latest net migration decline, exploring what the data reveals about policy impact, economic trade‑offs and the risks of over‑correction in future migration strategy.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the practical considerations facing employers and foreign nationals amid recent changes to green card processing.
Blog post
Video
In this #FragomenFC episode, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss final travel and immigration considerations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold discusses Ireland's citizenship framework and the gaps that can remain following reforms to birthright citizenship.
Video
In this video, Partner Diana Quintas discusses how Brazil’s family reunion visa supports long-term international assignments and outlines key eligibility, documentation and compliance considerations for employers and families relocating to Brazil.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Fragomen news
Fragomen earned top national and regional rankings in Chambers USA 2026, including its 13th consecutive year in Band 1 nationwide.
Blog post
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the remaining opportunities under Ireland’s winding-down Immigrant Investor Programme and what they mean for eligible investors and their families.
Blog post
Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit analyses the UK’s latest net migration decline, exploring what the data reveals about policy impact, economic trade‑offs and the risks of over‑correction in future migration strategy.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the practical considerations facing employers and foreign nationals amid recent changes to green card processing.
Blog post
Video
In this #FragomenFC episode, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss final travel and immigration considerations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold discusses Ireland's citizenship framework and the gaps that can remain following reforms to birthright citizenship.
Video
In this video, Partner Diana Quintas discusses how Brazil’s family reunion visa supports long-term international assignments and outlines key eligibility, documentation and compliance considerations for employers and families relocating to Brazil.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
