About Us
Who We Are
We are a team of attorneys, accredited representatives, paralegals, therapists, and support staff committed to helping immigrants and refugees in Nebraska. As the only nonprofit in Lincoln offering a comprehensive range of direct legal immigration services, CLIA is uniquely positioned to provide the support and expertise our community needs.
Our Mission
Providing comprehensive legal services so immigrants and refugees in Nebraska can thrive.
Our Vision
Immigrants and refugees in Nebraska are safe, stable and have legal status so we all can enjoy the Good Life.
Our History
Founded in Lincoln Nebraska in 2001 to address the growing need for affordable immigration assistance west of Omaha, CLIA made history by filing the first approved U-Visa application (domestic violence based immigration relief) in Nebraska. CLIA remains as the only community based grassroots 501(c)(3) certified nonprofit accredited by the Department of Justice.
Meet the Team
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Mary Choate, Esq.
Executive Director
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Jonathan Rubio
DOJ Accredited Representative & Supervisor
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Kewan Asaad
DOJ Accredited Representative
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Robyn Leatherwood
Staff Attorney
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Shannon Mangram
Staff Attorney
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Francisca Peterson
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, Masters of Science
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Andrea Peterson Esteban
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
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Mustafa Zamani
Paralegal
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Colin Koehler
Administrative Associate
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Paige Waite
Outreach Coordinator
Our Board of Directors
Nick Grandgenett, Board President, Staff Attorney at Nebraska Appleseed
Katie Bodie, Board Secretary, Real Estate Broker for CASA Property Management
Pim Tubsuwan, Board Treasurer, M.S.-CYAF, Budget Analyst, Department of Health and Human Services.
Laurie Ponce, J.D., Legal Counsel, Nebraska State Legislature
Dave Chipman, J.D., Monzón, Guerra & Chipman, Attorneys At Law
Jane Langan Mach, J.D., Rembolt Ludtke LLP, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law
David Williams, Adjunct Professor of Law at Doane University
Coco Chairez, Owner and founder of New Start Cleaning
Jeffrey Owusu-Ansah, J.D., In-House Counsel at ALLO Fiber
Hunter Shen, J.D., Brown Immigration Law, University of Nebraska Department of Modern Languages and Literature
Whether it's direct legal services, mental health support, education, interpreter training, or employer training, we are dedicated to supporting the immigrant community in Lincoln and across the state.
Our Partners
