On My Side 2024 Awardee
The Litigator of the Year Award honors an individual who has shown exceptional skill in securing justice for survivors of forced labor or sex trafficking. This year, we are delighted to present the award to Amanda Tsatsis for her extraordinary work representing a minor survivor in the criminal case United States v. Blaha, a matter handled by a pro bono team at Latham & Watkins.
Amanda and her colleagues represented a child who faced sexual abuse at the hands of a U.S. citizen. The U.S. defendant, who faced federal criminal charges, traveled to the Philippines to sexually exploit multiple children. Amanda and her team at Latham represented one of the survivors in the case throughout the entire criminal prosecution. With pro bono counsel by her side, this trafficking survivor was able to navigate a complex and traumatic criminal process. Amanda and her pro bono team at Latham prepared a compelling victim impact statement, which the court reviewed during sentencing. The pro bono team also submitted a detailed restitution request to the court.
The court sentenced the defendant to 200 months in custody and granted the entire restitution amount requested. Even after the court ordered full restitution, Amanda and her team continued to advocate on behalf of the survivor. The Latham team has continued to work diligently on this pro bono matter, collaborating with multiple partners to navigate the challenges facing this survivor, even after the sentencing.
As advocates, we do all that we can to hold traffickers accountable. But we cannot do this work without dedicated pro bono attorneys. Amanda’s remarkable work – and the precedent her team set – will ensure that human trafficking survivors have an opportunity to fight for justice in the federal courts. Amanda has demonstrated the powerful impact that compassionate, trauma-informed pro bono legal representation can have. We are thrilled to honor her as our Litigator of the Year.
About the Honoree
Amanda has primarily represented clients in internal investigations and investigations by federal and international regulators. She also has represented clients in complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, and contested bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings. Amanda also has represented clients in multiple jurisdictions in connection with both statutory and common law causes of action.
Amanda has contributed to all aspects of litigation in both federal and state court. Her experience includes witness preparation, managing discovery, motion practice, and participation in depositions, hearings, and trials.
Amanda served as a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee for two years, and was an active member of the pro bono program. She also served as a coordinator of the Violence Against Women Act program, which helps survivors of gender violence to gain legal permanent resident status in the United States. In addition to several immigration matters, Amanda’s pro bono practice has also included the representation of veterans with disabilities, sex trafficking victims, and victims of sexual orientation-based discrimination.
Amanda earned her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she participated in the Criminal Defense Clinic and was a summer intern at a boutique immigration law firm in New York. Amanda earned her BA in Psychology, with a minor in Criminal Justice, at the University of Connecticut, where she graduated magna cum laude, with Honors and Phi Beta Kappa.