AILA Presents Jodi Goodwin with the 2019 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will recognize Jodi Goodwin, of Harlingen, TX, with the 2019 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation in the immigration field. The award will be presented this week during AILA's Annual Conference in Orlando, FL.

Jodi Goodwin practices immigration law on the border in Harlingen, Texas. Since 1995 she has represented thousands of asylum seekers, economic migrants, long-term permanent residents, businesses, families, and United States citizens in immigration and nationality matters. Jodi also represents immigrants and United States citizens in federal court in both criminal and civil proceedings. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and St. Mary's University.

Jodi believes the heart and soul of every lawyer should be deeply grounded in truth and a search for justice. She enjoys teaching, especially to new practitioners, and devoting her time to community and pro bono projects. Jodi has published decisions from the Fifth and the Eighth Circuits as well as the Board of Immigration Appeals. She has many accolades including Texas Super Lawyer and Best Lawyers in America and Texas Lawyer's TopNotch Immigration Lawyer. She has also been awarded the Arthur C. Helton Award for Advancing Human Rights.

Jodi is past-Chair of the AILA Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico Chapter and has served as a Director for the Cameron County Bar Association. She also chaired the Cameron and Willacy County Subcommittee of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee for the Texas Supreme Court from 1998 to 2015. She was an Advisory Member of the ABA's Commission on Immigration and is a member of IMMLAW, the national consortium of immigration lawyers. She devotes much of her free time to her children through active education, traveling and Girl Scouting.

Jodi encourages all of you to get involved in providing pro bono representation to those who need it most. When we all are willing to give a few hours, the massive need dissipates. Jodi is extremely honored and humbled to receive this award and dedicates the award to her tiny staff of 6 people who, literally, are the force of an army on the border!