Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, an Am Law 100 firm known for its work in the pro bono arena, has named Lauren Connell as its new pro bono counsel.

Connell, an associate at Akin Gump for nearly the past three years, has a background in pro bono asylum work with immigrants and refugees, having spent several months in late 2014 as a project coordinator for a firm-backed immigration advocacy project in Texas.

“It certainly is a terrifying time to be an immigrant advocate,” said Connell, when asked about the current political environment in the U.S. “Among our clients there is this climate of fear, because day-to-day, they don't know what to expect.”