Securing Asylum for Afghanistan Students from Asian University for Women

Jenner & Block lawyers from across the firm represented a cohort of Afghanistan students from the Asian University for Women that caught one of the last flights out of Kabul as the city fell to the Taliban in 2021. These women were forced to flee their homes in Afghanistan fearing for their lives because of their gender, ethnicity, or political opinion opposing the Taliban regime, among other things. Most of them experienced acts of violence and persecution during several harrowing attempts at escape.

On October 17, our final client from the group received notice that she had been officially granted asylum in the United States. Now, all four students have been granted asylum and are free to live their lives without fear of persecution or danger.

The different teams that represented these women include Partner Michael Ross, Associate Jessica Sawadogo, and former Associate Jonathan Steinberg; Partner Reid Schar and Associates Sophia Cai and Tal Ratner Solovey; Client Contracts Counsel Michael DeMar, Associate Emily Merrifield, and former Partner Gay Sigel; Associate Zach Cohen, who led the efforts for his client with support from Partners Laurie Edelstein and Todd C. Toral, and Associate Sam White.

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Securing Asylum for Afghanistan Students from Asian University for Women

Jenner & Block lawyers from across the firm represented a cohort of Afghanistan students from the Asian University for Women that caught one of the last flights out of Kabul as the city fell to the Taliban in 2021. These women were forced to flee their homes in Afghanistan fearing for their lives because of their gender, ethnicity, or political opinion opposing the Taliban regime, among other things. Most of them experienced acts of violence and persecution during several harrowing attempts at escape.

On October 17, our final client from the group received notice that she had been officially granted asylum in the United States. Now, all four students have been granted asylum and are free to live their lives without fear of persecution or danger.

The different teams that represented these women include Partner Michael Ross, Associate Jessica Sawadogo, and former Associate Jonathan Steinberg; Partner Reid Schar and Associates Sophia Cai and Tal Ratner Solovey; Client Contracts Counsel Michael DeMar, Associate Emily Merrifield, and former Partner Gay Sigel; Associate Zach Cohen, who led the efforts for his client with support from Partners Laurie Edelstein and Todd C. Toral, and Associate Sam White.

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

News and Insights

Amanda Shafer Berman to Speak on Energy and Administrative Law at WEN-DC Webinar

As the Supreme Court's new Term begins, Jenner & Block Partner Amanda Shafer Berman will join a Women's Energy Network of Washington, DC (WEN-DC) webinar on how the Court's decisions are shaping the energy sector.

October 14, 2026

Publications

Partner Amanda Shafer Berman Quoted in Bloomberg Law on Senate Permitting Overhaul Bill

Partner Amanda Shafer Berman was quoted in an October 5 Bloomberg Law article, "Permitting Deal Gives Projects Defense Against Litigation Delays," on the Senate's new permitting overhaul package and its expected impact on litigation over federal permitting reversals.

October 2026

Event

Partner John Storino to Speak at Sandpiper Partners' “AI and Outside Counsel Guidelines Roundtable”

On October 8, Partner John Storino will serve as a panelist at the “AI and Outside Counsel Guidelines Roundtable,” hosted by Sandpiper Partners in Chicago.

October 8, 2026

Event

Partner Meghan Greenfield to Speak on Supreme Court Climate Case at Edison Electric Institute's Fall Legal Conference

On Wednesday, October 7, Partner Meghan Greenfield will speak on a panel titled "Boulder County v. Suncor Energy: What the Supreme Court's Climate Case Means for the Energy Industry" at the Edison Electric Institute's Fall Legal Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

October 7, 2026

Publications

The Form Rules Everything: A Seventh Circuit Ruling on ERISA's Substantial Compliance Doctrine

Partner Joseph Torres and Special Counsel Jennifer Beach authored an article for Employee Relations Law Journal examining the Seventh Circuit's decision in Packaging Corp. of America Thrift Plan for Hourly Employees v. Langdon, a ruling that addresses both the standard of review in ERISA interpleader actions and the continued viability of the substantial compliance doctrine for changing plan beneficiaries.

October 5, 2026

Recognition

Jenner & Block Rises in American Lawyer Rankings for Summer Associate Experience

Jenner & Block ranked 14th nationally in The American Lawyer’s 2026 Summer Associate Satisfaction Survey, jumping 10 spots from last year. The annual survey measures summer associate satisfaction at US law firms based on ratings provided directly by summer associates across key firm qualities.

October 2, 2026