Welcoming Rafael Frank Benzecry, Shartsis Friese LLP Public Interest Fellow
November 20, 2025
I am thrilled to join ALRP so I can continue my fight for immigrant communities in these challenging times. Being part of an organization that has been dedicated to supporting people living with HIV/AIDS for more than 40 years is truly a milestone in my career, and I look forward to learning from and working alongside the countless amazing clients represented by ALRP.
ALRP is proud to welcome Rafael Frank Benzecry as our Shartsis Friese LLP Public Interest Fellow for 2025-2027. He is focusing on assisting our immigrant clients, an area where we have experienced a huge surge in demand as a result of the draconian policies of the federal administration.
Before moving to the United States, Rafael worked in Brazil on matters related to cultural heritage and the entertainment industry, experiences that deepened his appreciation for the intersection of law, diversity, and identity. He earned his LL.B. from the Federal University of Amazonas in 2017 and received an LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 2023. An immigrant himself, he developed a practice in immigration law, providing services to immigrant communities in Reading, Pennsylvania, and beyond.
Because Rafael is admitted to the New York Bar he is able to represent our clients in immigration courts nationwide, and he was recently accredited to do so by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
Outside of his legal work, he enjoys hiking, watching movies, exploring the city’s historic and architectural landmarks, and studying history and foreign languages.
ALRP is extremely grateful to Shartsis Friese LLP for making it possible to bring Rafael on board at this particularly challenging time for HIV+ immigrants.