Closer by the minute... 3% from goal

When I checked the VLSP website early yesterday morning, the Campaign for Justice tally indicated only a little over $10,000 was needed to reach this year’s $280,000 goal.

Then when I looked a couple hours later and again this morning… that figure shrunk to $8,400, bringing the 2015 Campaign even closer to the mark.

“The Campaign Cabinet set a high goal this year, and we are making great progress,” stated Frank
Novak, campaign co-chair alongside Arline Santiago and Bill Lowe. “Every year the legal community’s support for the CFJ makes me proud of Rochester. Many parts of the country do not support legal representation for the poor the way we do here.”

Novak also acknowledged the “civic-mindedness is not limited to the legal community. Buckingham Properties, Elite Reporting and many other companies have provided significant support to the effort.”

Of equally exciting news, payment for most (78%) of the pledges has already been received, with the Campaign running through March 31.

“I am very thankful for all the support the Campaign has received,” added Santiago, ESL general counsel (pictured below with VLSP Executive Director Sheila Gaddis).

Those who haven’t pledged yet: Please help us close the gap as soon as possible.

Written by Nora A. Jones

App Div 4th Dept. Attorneys Help with Eviction/Landlord Issues in Irondequoit

Penfield Town Justice James Mulley has encountered cases on his eviction dockets with outcomes which could have been markedly different had the tenants been represented by legal counsel.

This prompted Justice Mulley to contact VLSP for ways in which VLSP and the Appellate Division, Fourth Dept. could collaborate in providing free legal representation in some of the town courts.
Discussions with several of the town court justices culminated in the successful launch of the new Tenant Town and Village Court Program, a partnership between the attorneys of the Appellate Division and VLSP.

On January 4th, seven volunteer attorneys joined VLSP staff in the building you see below: Irondequoit Justice Court at 1300 Titus Avenue.

With the help of pro bono services, three tenants at the Irondequoit Town Court avoided immediate eviction on Monday, with negotiations buying them from 2 weeks to 2 months to work out payment and relocation.

VLSP staff attorney Karen Chung is heading up this project which will include additional town courts in the future. VLSP staff paralegal Pauline Smith ensured everyone needing help was assisted as people arrived at the town court.

Craig Peterson, Alan Ross, Lisa Paine, Joe Dinolfo, Brittany Jones and Chris Larrabee were among the volunteer attorneys on hand Monday evening, when winter temperatures finally took hold – an especially tough time of year to face eviction.

Of four eviction cases on the town court docket, three of the tenants were delighted to have attorney representation, while one declined assistance.

“The one-on-one client contact reminds me why I do what I do,” said Alan Ross, Deputy Clerk of the Appellate Division, Fourth Dept.

“It’s also great experience for younger attorneys who will be looking for new employment after a couple years at the court,” added Sheila Gaddis.

​By Nora A. Jones