Alicia Kinsman JD '10

Alicia Kinsman JD '10 has a reputation - that she uses the law to help her community and change lives.

When Kinsman became the only full-time attorney on staff at the nonprofit International Institute of Connecticut (IIConn), Inc. in 2011, word of the organization's legal services began to spread among immigrant communities.

"Once you tell one Brazilian or one Guatemalan in the area that someone helped in a case, 20 are calling for help the next day," explained Kinsman.

IIConn is the only statewide non-profit agency that offers professional immigration and naturalization counseling. Founded in 1918, it's also the only non-sectarian agency recognized by the immigration court to provide low-cost services to indigent families. The small staff of 23 full-time and 11 part-time employees, augmented by volunteers, provides expertise in legal services and case management. The agency helps new arrivals to the U.S. achieve self-sufficiency by helping them meet basic needs, offering English classes, job training and placement, counseling, interpretation services and legal assistance.

IIConn launched the victim and trafficking department in 2006. When she first joined IIConn, Kinsman worked mostly on family-based cases and visa applications. In February 2012, Kinsman was named director of victim and trafficking services. Under her leadership, the department has flourished, taking on 10-20 new cases annually.

Victims of trafficking or abuse often need specialized legal counseling. For example, clients who fled their countries to escape persecution or other harm may find themselves being forced to work for low wages while their employers hold onto their identification papers. These victims want to avoid being found, fearing deportation, so they might not leave their homes or their abusers. "You don't have to be locked in to feel like you can't leave," explains Kinsman.

Kinsman also trains local and federal law enforcement officials to recognize signs of abuse or trafficking. In 2013, the department was awarded the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, which recognizes success in combating crime, terrorism, drugs and violence in America.

"The award is the result of many years of good and hard work by this program," said Kinsman. "It's nice to feel your work is validated and making a difference."

Kinsman first got involved in issues of international justice during her days at Quinnipiac School of Law when she co-founded the International Human Rights Law Society. The group organized several panels of experts in the field, including two IIConn staff members.

After graduating in 2010, she worked for a small law firm, but kept her ties to IIConn by volunteering during evenings and weekends. When the opportunity arose to become a staff lawyer, she immediately went for it.

A large part of her job is reassuring clients and trying to re-unite them with their families by guiding them through the complex immigration laws and legal processes. 

"The emotion and excitement of the clients and their families is rewarding. The family is often outside the courthouse with hugs and tears. That makes it all worth it."