WBASNY Virtual Convention 2021 Journal

Doris S. Hoffman Outstanding New Lawyer Award

Catherine Gonzalez Catherine M. Gonzalez is a Senior Staff Attorney and Policy Counsel in the Immigration Practice at Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS). She began her work with BDS as a Staff Attorney in the Criminal Defense Practice, defending indigent clients against criminal charges. Currently, she advises clients and attorneys about the immigration consequences of criminal and family court cases and represents non-citizens fighting to remain in the United States. Ms. Gonzalez also helps develop and guide city, state and federal legislative and policy reforms across BDS practice areas related to immigration issues. She currently serves as the Corresponding Secretary of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA) and is a member of the Criminal Courts Committee of the New York City Bar Association. She also serves as a mentor with the Latino Justice Next Generation Líderes (NGL) Mentorship Program. Ms. Gonzalez received a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pace University School of Law. She immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic at the age of nine, grew up in Harlem, and lives with her son and her husband in Washington Heights, New York City.