News & Achievements

Vinson & Elkins Partner Stephen Medlock to Be Honored with Immigration Impact Award for Defending the Right to Access the US Asylum Process

Awards & Rankings


The American Immigration Council will honor Vinson & Elkins partner Stephen Medlock with its Immigration Impact Award on June 23 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention in Florida.

The award—formerly known as the American Heritage Award—recognizes the talents, contributions, and accomplishments of immigrants and their advocates. The award will be presented during a celebration that highlights notable immigrants, national heroes, and unsung heroes like immigration lawyers.

Medlock is an experienced antitrust litigator of Fortune 500 companies. He helps clients navigate through complex multidistrict class actions and successfully defends clients in grand jury investigations. His experience in antitrust matters include corporate counseling, internal investigations, civil non-merger and criminal cartel investigations, and litigation. Medlock has secured victories for clients in major antitrust class actions and B2B antitrust cases alleging monopolization and attempted monopolization at critical stages, including winning dismissal prior to discovery and prevailing at summary judgment.

“Working on the Al Otro Lado litigation has been, and is, one of the best experiences of my legal career.  The litigation team from top to bottom are outstanding and compassionate trial lawyers. Al Otro Lado is an amazing client.  And the results that we’ve been able to achieve have made a difference for thousands of immigrants who were doing nothing more than trying to follow the rules for seeking asylum at ports of entry,” said Medlock.

In addition to his significant pro bono practice, Medlock currently serves as a vice chair on the Exemptions and Immunities Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section of Antitrust Law. He is also the co-editor of the third edition of ABA’s Noerr-Pennington Handbook. Behind the scenes, Medlock is a trusted antitrust advisor and advocate in antitrust compliance matters, with a particular focus on clients in the food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, automotive, and high technology industries.

Medlock is a graduate of Georgetown University and American University Washington College of Law.

In years past, the American Immigration Council has recognized the achievements of other outstanding immigrants and their advocates, including Carlos Santana, General Colin Powell, Sonia Nazario, Edwidge Danticat, Gerda Weissmann Klein, the law firm Arnold & Porter, and others.

About Vinson & Elkins
For more than a century, Vinson & Elkins has provided outstanding client service across important industries that drive the global economy. Built on a strong culture of collaboration across 14 offices worldwide, V&E lawyers are committed to excellence, offering clients decades of legal experience in handling transactions, investments, projects and disputes across the globe. Learn more by visiting www.velaw.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

For more information, please speak with our media contacts.

Discover our latest:

Insights

CLE Events

Sixth Annual Navigating the Annual Meeting and Reporting Season 

Join leading practitioners and industry voices for a timely discussion of the legal, regulatory, and governance developments shaping the next proxy season.

November 11, 2026

November 11, 2026 • 1-minute read

Navigating Series Background Decorative Image

Events

David Strong Speaking at PLI Tax Strategies Conference in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles

Partner David Strong will present on “Section 1202 Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS)” at PLI’s Tax Strategies for Corporate Acquisitions, …

Multiple Dates

Multiple Dates • 1-minute read

Events

Vinson & Elkins Sponsoring and Speaking at TEI Annual Conference

Vinson & Elkins is a platinum sponsor of the 2026 TEI Annual Conference, taking place October 18–21 in Nashville, Tennessee. …

October 18–21, 2026

October 18–21, 2026 • 1-minute read

Events

Jenny Speck to Speak at 18th Annual OPIS RFS, RINs & Biofuels Forum

Partner Jenny Speck will speak on the panel “Credit Where Credit is Due: Finalizing 45Z” at the 18th Annual OPIS …

October 13, 2026

October 13, 2026 • 1-minute read

Events

Alex Canizares to Speak at The Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement’s Compliance Training Conference

On October 7, Alex Canizares will be speaking on a panel titled “Compliance and the Civil False Claims Act” as …

October 7, 2026

October 7, 2026 • 1-minute read

News & Achievements
V&E

Get in Touch

Thoughts or questions? Send us a note, and we’ll connect you with the right person.

The ESG GC: How Your Role as Chief Legal Officer is Integral To Your Company’s ESG Efforts Background Image