NDPA Superhero
PHOTO: Washington College of Law
Dree writes:
Greetings Family and Friends,
I hope that you are all doing well. I am writing to share a personal update. After nearly two decades in private practice and owning and operating my own firm, I have sold my ownership interest in my firm, Benach Collopy, to my wonderful partner Ava Benach, who remains a close friend.
Selling my ownership of the firm I worked so hard to build was a difficult decision that has been about two years in the making, and I was sad to leave my colleagues and clients. However, given the relentless attack on refugees and asylum seekers in this country and around the world, I decided that it was time to transition from “on the ground” work and the arduous administrative tasks of running a law firm to bigger picture legal strategy and impact work. Now more than ever, people seeking protection in the United States need zealous, passionate advocates, who I am excited to train, and smarter, creative legal arguments and policy strategies that I am excited to help develop.
So what am I up to now? I am currently teaching Asylum and Refugee Law at American University Washington College of Law and have joined their renowned program on human rights and humanitarian law. I am also continuing my scholarship on U.S. asylum and refugee law and policy, and finally have more time to devote to my book, which helps other lawyers more effectively represent asylum seekers.
As a final update, I have also joined Grossman Young & Hammond, an internationally renowned immigration firm run by my close friend and long-time colleague in the immigration field, Sandra Grossman. As Of Counsel at GYH, I continue to develop strategy in complex cases, assist immigrant and refugee rights organizations with their advocacy efforts, and train other lawyers around the country in an effort to build and strengthen our “due process army.” For more on this, see GYH’s press release here. Please continue to send anyone in need of top notch immigration lawyering my way.
Moving forward, you may reach me at collopy@american.eduor dcollopy@grossmanyoung.com, here at my Gmail, or on my cell phone at 515-988-1044. And of course, if you’re interested in keeping up with me and the work I’m doing, please connect with me on LinkedIn and give me and GYH a follow on social media.
I look forward to being in touch!
Dree
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Many congrats, Dree, to you, Ava, Sandra, Washington College of Law, and all involved! Good luck in your new career challenges!
⚖️ Due Process Forever!
PWS
02-29-25