Founder, The Law Office
of Bryan Pu-Folkes
Bryan Pu-Folkes has stepped down as Executive Director of the New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) organization, and has founded a new immigration and civil rights law firm, The Law Office of Bryan Pu-Folkes.
In an email to the NICE community, Pu-Folkes announced that his new firm has offices in Queens and Brooklyn. His immigration work will include hosting legal, education and policy workshops this month.
Pu-Folkes founded NICE and served as its Executive Director for eight years. Under his direction, the organization was able to grow into a leading immigration advocacy group in New York City.
Following his departure, Pu-Folkes plans to continue working with NICE by serving on the board.
As the son of Burmese and Jamaican immigrants, Pu-Folkes was raised to be tolerant and to oppose racism. His upbringing influenced his immigration advocacy.
In 1999, Pu-Folkes was angered by an anti-immigration billboard in Sunnyside. He enlisted the help of local business owners and raised funds to respond to the message via a series of subway posters along the No. 7 train line.
Pu-Folkes was appointed Human Rights Commissioner in 2002.
He served as Pro bono Director for the New York Lawyers for Public Interest. As Director, it was his responsibility to provide legal assistance to groups like Disabilities Network of New York City, ensuring they obtained tax-exempt status.
Pu-Folkes graduated from the New York University School of Law in 1994. In 2004, he was one of four named as “outstanding alumni” by the Black, Latino Asian Pacific American Law Alumni Association at the annual alumni dinner.
