IRVINE, Calif. (May 5, 2025) — The The University of California, Irvine School of Law’s Criminal Justice Clinic, in partnership with the Immigrant Justice Clinic at American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL), received an Honorable Mention for Excellence in a Public Interest Case or Project from the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) at its annual awards.
The recognition highlights the clinics’ collaborative advocacy in the case of Henry Pachnowski, an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor who lived for decades in the United States as a stateless person in legal limbo. Led by Professor Katie Tinto at UC Irvine Law and Professor Jayesh Rathod at AUWCL, the clinics’ efforts ultimately cleared Henry’s path to U.S. citizenship, which he achieved in fall 2024.
“This award is a testament to the powerful work that clinics can do together,” said Professor Katie Tinto. “It was a privilege to stand alongside our partners at AUWCL and our students to fight for Henry, whose courage and resilience inspired us all.”
Born in Nazi Germany in 1940, Henry survived the Helmstedt-Beendorf labor camp and immigrated to the U.S. with his family under the Displaced Persons Act in 1951. Henry built a life in California but was rendered stateless after two criminal convictions in the 1960s — one of which was a California conviction for marijuana possession which rendered him deportable, without identification, and unable to access basic benefits such as Social Security and health care.
AUWCL’s Immigrant Justice Clinic represented Henry in his effort to restore Henry’s lawful permanent residency status and reached out to the Criminal Justice Clinic for help with Henry’s old California conviction for possession of marijuana. CJC was able to successfully vacate this conviction in criminal court, clearing the pathway for the Immigrant Justice Clinic to restore Henry’s permanent residency, access to essential services, and finally, the ability to naturalize as a U.S. citizen.
“The clinics’ work on this case exemplifies the kind of effective, compassionate, and collaborative advocacy that clinical education is all about,” said UC Irvine Law Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law Austen Parrish. “The UC Irvine Law community congratulates the Criminal Justice Clinic on this well-deserved recognition. We are incredibly proud of our clinic students and faculty whose work changes people’s lives.”
The CLEA Awards honor law school clinical programs that advance civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights through public interest litigation and advocacy. The awards were presented during the AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education on April 27 in Baltimore, Md.
About the UC Irvine Law Criminal Justice Clinic
Led by Professor Katie Tinto, the UC Irvine Law Criminal Justice Clinic (CJC) provides legal representation to low-income individuals caught in the criminal legal system. Under close faculty supervision, law students defend clients charged with misdemeanors in California state courts, assist non-citizens seeking post-conviction relief for convictions that carry immigration consequences, and advocate for the release of individuals serving lengthy or life sentences due to outdated and unjust sentencing laws.
Since launching its Compassionate Release and Excessive Sentences Project in 2018, CJC has won the release of 26 clients — including 14 who were serving life or effective life terms — through litigation in federal courts across Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida. Most recently, three CJC clients were granted clemency, including two individuals serving life sentences for non-violent drug offenses. In 2024, CJC received Public Law Center’s Community Partner of the Year Award in honor of the post-conviction successes the clinic secured for PLC’s clients who are victims of trafficking.
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. At UC Irvine Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UC Irvine Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UC Irvine School of Law.