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Immigration Bond Project

Legal Innovators for Tomorrow (LIFT) is a legal incubator program designed to address the legal needs of the underserved and underrepresented by supporting new lawyers build viable and sustainable public interest-focused law firms. Through a collaborative project with the New Orleans Pro Bono Project, LIFT Fellows are working to help address the legal needs of detained immigrants in bond proceedings.

The LIFT Immigration Bond Project is for new or transitioning attorneys starting their own solo, small firm, or nonprofit practice in or near Central Louisiana. During the 18-month program, incubator attorneys receive office space, supplies, and resources. In exchange for the training and incubation of their practice, attorneys agree to provide pro bono representation to detained immigrants in bond cases in Central Louisiana.

Meet the Participating LIFT Fellow
Tinashe E. Chimwaza
Tinashe E. Chimwaza received his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in 2009. Tinashe served as a law clerk at the 19th Judicial District Court and subsequently practiced insurance law for a few years prior to deciding to pursue his passion in immigration law. Originally a native of Zimbabwe, Tinashe emigrated to the United States with his family when he was ten years old. Tinashe Law, L.L.C. was founded out of Tinashe’s desire to meet the needs of the immigration community with whom he shares intimate knowledge of and experience with the immigration process. Tinashe believes immigration, correctly employed, can be a tool of social construction that promotes unity rather than division of people of diverse nationalities and cultures. Tinashe Law, L.L.C. is primarily focused on representing detained immigrants in bond proceedings before the immigration court in Oakdale, Louisiana.
Louisiana State Bar Association
601 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
(800) 421-LSBA(5722) / (504) 566-1600