Eugene Chidiebere Anyikwa, Esq.
Solo practitioner, Bronx

“Some inMotion clients have called me their 'lifesaver,' and to me that is worth much more than money.”

Eugene is a solo practitioner in the Bronx who has represented many inMotion clients over the past years. An immigrant who came to the United States from Nigeria with $10 in his pocket, Eugene understands first hand the complex situations many of our immigrant clients face.

Eugene has taken on some of our most challenging cases, often at the last minute. One such client, Belen, an undocumented immigrant from Brazil, came to inMotion seeking assistance in obtaining an order of protection against an abusive boyfriend and securing full custody of their three-year-old daughter.

Belen survived years of harrowing physical violence and psychological manipulation by her boyfriend. He forced her into prostitution against her will and threatened to have her deported if she called the police or left him. After many years of living in fear, Belen found the courage to leave and fled with her daughter to a domestic violence shelter.

Eugene accepted Belen’s case just before the July 4th weekend, facing a July 5th court date. Although it was nearly impossible to directly contact Belen (she needed an interpreter and the shelter where she was living was closed for the holiday weekend) Eugene worked non-stop over the weekend to prepare for Belen’s court date.

The Family Court judge found Belen’s case compelling and commended Eugene for jumping into the case on such short notice. Eugene was ultimately able to help Belen obtain full custody of her daughter and a permanent order of protection.

The hours Eugene dedicates to representing inMotion clients is precious time that he cannot spend on his paying clients’ matters. But in Eugene’s words, “The pro bono work I do for inMotion is worth more than money to me. It is my small way of giving back to a community that has given me so much.”

Eugene received a 2006 Commitment to Justice Award from inMotion for his devotion to providing the highest level of service to the under-represented.

Note: All clients' names and personal details have been changed to protect their identities.

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