Danielle Atchison receives the YLS Tom Cochran Award for community service

Danielle Atchison has a deep commitment to pro bono work and community service. As a business immigration lawyer with the Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm she spends much of her time assisting the firm’s clients with a broad range of immigration related tasks. Beyond this, Atchison is also devoted to volunteering her services on behalf of individuals in need in the Kansas City area. 

“It is an honor to receive the Tom Cochran Award. I have met so many different people through my volunteer work in both legal organizations and through Jackson County CASA,” Atchison said. “It makes me a better person to be engaged with people of all walks of life, ages, and abilities.” 

In her work with the Mdivani Law Firm, Atchison heads up the firm’s pro bono practice serving immigrant women and children survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes. Since 2015, she has worked with Jackson County CASA, responsible for visiting and working with abused and neglected children in the family court system. 

Atchison is also the Outreach Committee Chair for the Earl E. O'Connor Inn of Court and has been able to continue a tradition of hosting a special needs prom in Wyandotte County. Members donate time and resources so that special needs students can have a safe and fun event with their families, complete with dinner, dancing and photos.   

In recognition of her work, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section has selected Atchison as the 2020 recipient of the Tom Cochran Community Service Award. This honor is designed to recognize a member of The Missouri Bar whose service and professionalism have enhanced his or her community. The award is named after Thomas D. Cochran (1934-1981), whose commitment and contributions to the practice of law and his community are still an inspiration to Missouri lawyers. The award rotates between St. Louis, Kansas City and outstate Missouri areas, to coincide with the location of the bar’s annual meeting.  

When asked to provide advice to other new lawyers, Atchison was quick to respond, “Get involved. Give back. Do pro bono work. As an attorney, you are uniquely situated to assist your fellow humans, find the cause you care about and make changes for the better.” 

Click here to learn more about The Missouri Bar’s annual awards.