Joshua Thompson-Rodriguez joined LCCR as our new Civil Legal Services Attorney in April of this year. With experience working with families in immigration law, Joshua has already had a significant impact on LCCR’s educational advocacy work.

On Joshua’s background, and what brought him to LCCR… 
I’ve had a broad variety of legal experience before coming to LCCR. I’ve worked in private practice, personal injury, bankruptcy, family law, and for the last few years in immigration law. In my last role working at a nonprofit that represented unaccompanied migrant youth, it reminded me of why I went to law school in the first place. I have always wanted to work with young people, and there is so much value in being their advocate.

On what skills he brings to his role…
My background in immigration law has taught me how important it is to understand how a client’s background and history can affect their case. I am very experienced in due process violations, which lets me reduce the harm done to kids by the system itself. I am also fluent in Spanish and learning French, which opens up a new demographic of clients that I can help.

On what makes his role different from LCCR’s other attorneys…
As the civil legal services attorney, I work in tandem with the Children’s Defense Team to help with educational advocacy. I defend kids in expulsion hearings, I can help find public benefits and other resources, and as an attorney I can support them in court as needed. I help kids not just in court, but in the community and in their schools as well.

I get to reunite families here. —Joshua Thomas-Rodriguez

On the most challenging parts of his role…
The learning curve for this type of defense work was difficult. Before I started at LCCR, I had some experience with family law, but it’s been challenging to acclimate to an entirely new type of practice. Defense work also takes an emotional toll, and I’ve had to be mindful of that to be the best advocate I can be for my clients.

On what keeps him motivated…
What keeps me motivated is seeing clients freed, giving them their lives back. Clients and their families looking at me and knowing that I cared enough to help, even if they thought no one would. I get to reunite families here.

On what he is most proud of…
I am most proud when I see families together again. Yesterday, I had a hearing, and it was so rewarding to know that because of my work, my client and their family would be able to move forward.

On what he likes most about working at LCCR… 
Everyone at LCCR has a high level of compassion; every team member is open-minded and understanding. In working here, I’ve gotten a lot more experience in trial work. Speaking in court proceedings is a valuable component of being an attorney, and I have already had so many opportunities to evolve my craft here. I feel challenged by this work, even after a decade of experience as a lawyer.

On what he wishes more people knew about his youth clients…
I wish people knew that these kids don’t wake up every day wanting to make bad choices. What brings kids to court is often complicated, and their charges are not the only thing that defines them. It’s better to see each child as a whole person.