Benach Collopy and LGBTQ+ Representation

Since our founding in 2012, Benach Collopy has worked tirelessly to defend, represent, and advocate on behalf of our LGBTQ+ clientele. It is our belief that the voices and stories of those clients make America a better place and that belief informs our energetic defense and work. Whether it is obtaining asylum for clients looking for a safer life, or handling same-sex marriage-based claims, the LGBTQ+ lawyers at Benach Collopy have consistently delivered for our LGBTQ+ clients and we will continue to do so.

Team Representation

Our team is made up of many different members of the LGBTQ+ community, a strength that improves our compassion and understanding when advocating for LGBTQ+ clientele. For example, partner Sarah Pitney is a non-binary, pansexual lawyer who knows that defending their LGBTQ+ clients is an essential part of upholding Benach Collopy’s mission.

As well, Ava Benach, a founding partner of Benach Collopy and member of the LGBTQ+ community has years of experience with LGBTQ+ clientele. She has worked and continues to work with local organization Whitman Walker Health to provide representation to transgender clients across the D.C. region.

Benach Collopy knows that you do not have to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community to best serve LGBTQ+ clientele. All members of the Benach Collopy team handle our LGBTQ+ client’s cases with understanding, empathy and specialized knowledge. But we firmly believe that having members of the LGBTQ+ community in our staff ensures we are well equipped to handle complex and challenging matters. We are a better firm due to our diversity and that is not just limited to sexual orientation and gender identity, but all facets of our team members’ lived experiences.

How Benach Collopy Can Help

For example, in June of 2024, our client of the month was Sandy. Sandy is a queer man who immigrated to the U.S. in 2015 and decided to apply for permanent status. Since then, he has become an integral part of the LGBTQ+ community in the DC area. Whether it is attending Capital Pride every year, raising money for organizations such as SMYAL who are dedicated to helping unhoused LGBTQ+ youth, or winning the annual Stonewall’s Got Talent show last year with a tremendous drag performance, Sandy’s impact is immeasurable. Benach Collopy is proud to have helped him achieve permanent status and is excited to see Sandy’s journey continue as a member of the DC LGBTQ+ community.

The Benach Collopy team has received asylum for countless members of the LGBTQ+ community fleeing persecution in their countries of origin. As well, we have helped many of our LGBTQ+ clients who have been a victim of a crime receive U-visas, and we have worked on numerous family-based claims involving LGBTQ+ families.

We look forward to continuing this work and helping as many LGBTQ+ clients as possible. Benach Collopy knows that LGBTQ+ immigrants, like every immigrant, make America a better, more diverse place.  If you have questions about how the Benach Collopy LGBTQ+ lawyers can assist you and provide you with the best legal representation possible, do not hesitate to call us at 202-644-8600 or visit our website: www.benachcollopy.com.