Mary Louise & Bruce Cohen - A power couple with compassion

Mary Louise and Bruce Cohen’s journey into pro bono legal work is marked with abundant inspiration and compassion. Their unwavering dedication, innovative approaches, and deep-seated commitment to helping those in need mark their path. Both Mary Louise and Bruce have extensive backgrounds in public service and legal expertise, which dramatically shapes their efforts.

Bruce, a lawyer with background in litigation and former partner at two law firms, spent two decades in the United States Senate working for Senator Patrick Leahy from Vermont. Between 1993 and 2013, Bruce served in the prestigious roles of Chief Counsel and Staff Director for the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Mary Louise began her career over 40 years ago on Capitol Hill working on the Judiciary Committee alongside Bruce before spending two years with Handgun Control lobbying against the NRA. She then joined a law firm representing whistleblowers in cases involving Medicare, defense contractor, and securities fraud, and spent the next two decades demonstrating a solid commitment to justice for this vulnerable group. 

Bruce and Mary Louise's dedication to uplifting humanity and especially it's marginalized populations didn't stop there, however. An increasing concern for the world's growing refugee population had already led them to becoming loyal long-term supporters of the IRC throughout the previous decades and in 2014 urged it's way to the couple's top of priority list.  

"We have both always felt a profound and deeply personal pull in our charitable giving to organizations working with the refugee population,"

explains the couple, 

"however, our interest in this area was notably strengthened during a UNICEF event in 2014, where the goodwill ambassador Tea Leoni, spoke about the remarkable professional skillset within the community of Syrian refugees."

A new chapter in life & the founding of a new organization 

In 2014, after Bruce left the Senate staff and Mary Louise lessened her involvement with her law firm, the couple participated in the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard, a program designed for individuals embarking on a second career chapter following the culmination of their primary careers.

"I thought we had excess capacity, and I don't like to be bored,"

chuckles Mary Louise. 

During this period, she conceived the idea that would shape the couples future endeavors: Talent Beyond Boundaries - a non-profit with the mission to use skilled migration pathways in order to allow refugees to move from refugee camps to new countries. Instead of going the humanitarian resettlement route, the organization assists refugees to move country borders as skilled migrants on work visas. Today, the successful organization spans several nations (including Canada, Australia, the UK, and parts of Western Europe) partnering with numerous companies in need of specific locally sparse skill sets and connecting them with talented refugees. Additionally, it liaises with government bodies to facilitate the necessary and highly complicated legal visa processes.

Expanding their support: Continued Advocacy for Refugees Through Legal Assistance

After successfully establishing Talent Beyond Boundaries, the Cohens joined "We the Action," a listserv that connects lawyers with pro bono opportunities. It was this platform that led them to the IRC in Denver and their Survivors of Torture (SOT) program and ultimately to providing pro bono legal assistance to individuals who have endured unimaginable hardships. As seasoned attorneys, they now provide much needed and crucial support in navigating the complexities of immigration law and ultimately protecting clients' rights throughout the asylum process. Right now, the couple is preparing to represent their first client in front of court after taking on the case in March of 2023. For the client this trial is the the culmination of nearly four years of hoping and waiting - an example of the lengthy timelines of the immigration process.

"I feel that asylum law is actually pretty straight forward and the real challenge is more about developing and applying gathered facts to the legal framework,"

says May Louise and explains:

"Lawyers [considering pro bono work] shouldn’t be afraid that the laws are too complex for them to learn, because they really are not."

Astonishing Journeys: The Cohens’ Profound Experiences with Refugee Clients

The couple's deep investment in the well-being of their clients is easily witnessed in the empathetic recalling of some of their most touching moments. Bruce shares:

“There are wonderful people who have harrowing stories. They’re unbelievable stories. Their life stories could each be made into a movie.” 

He then recalls working with an Iranian client who endured unimaginable torture and was forced to sign a false confession. Once released on bail, the individual fled to Venezuela, where Iranians do not need a visa. From there, he embarked on a lengthy perilous journey to the southern border of the US, traversing the treacherous Darien Gap, and travelling mostly on foot facing numerous dangers, being robbed, and losing 50 pounds of bodyweight. 

“He did the trip to start his life over again. He is here now, seeking the opportunity to rebuild his life with impressive skills and strong values,"

explains Bruce and adds:

"These individuals are wonderful to work for and they are great clients."

Mary Louise shares that witnessing their Iranian client “come back to life” has been one of their most impactful experiences in her career. Seeing the visible changes in his spirit makes them feel optimistic about the future and proud of the positive impact they are making.

The Value of Pro Bono Work: Insights and Encouragement 

For those considering getting involved with pro bono work, the experience of the Cohens is a compelling example. 

"It is a meaningful way to stay engaged and relevant, allowing us to make a significant difference without the demands of a full-time job,"

 explains Bruce while Mary Louise jokes that 

"there is only that much golf a retired person can play."

She then, on a more serious note, highlights the vital role experienced legal professionals play in ensuring fair treatment for those seeking asylum and emphasizes the critical importance of legal representation in immigration proceedings and states:

“You look at the stats and it’s clear that being represented in an immigration proceeding is really critical to whether we have a chance to get asylum.”

Bruce echoes these sentiments and shares about the personal fulfillment that comes from this work:

“It keeps you engaged and relevant and moving forward. And you get to meet incredible people. So this work doesn't only benefit the individuals you assist, but enriches your own life."

And Mary Louise adds pointing out the practical benefits of pro bono work for retired lawyers:

“These lawyer skills are desperately needed by people who should be treated fairly. And you can do that, and it doesn’t take 80 hours a week!”

If you are interested in learning more about how to join the IRC in Denver as a Pro-Bono Attorney, please contact our Legal Services Director Wesley Brockway at [email protected].

Written by Hanna Simmons, Development Manager at the IRC in Denver & Mariam Naibi, Communications Intern at the IRC in Denver.