Tuesday, March 29, 2016

500 hours of pro bono = 12 credit hours for UB 3L

New York State is the first and only state that allows and encourages law students to swap classroom work for full-time public service at a time when underserved clients out-number the number of pro bono hours local attorneys have available to offer.

Steven Maffucci is finishing his third year at the SUNY Buffalo School of Law by working 12 full-time weeks at Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, Inc. With a 3-credit class on campus one afternoon a week, he will complete his third year while most classmates are still in the classroom and anticipating taking the bar exam.

He’s one of eight UB Law students selected for the Pro Bono Scholars Program which was just introduced in 2014 by then-Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, and allows 3L students to take the February bar exam.

A Rochester native, Maffucci has both civilian work experience and four years of military service under his belt, so he especially feels ready to “get to work.”

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Working under the supervision of VLSP Staff Attorney Mary Beth Conway, Maffucci has shadowed other attorneys during two Family Law Custody Clinics held at the VLSP offices, and had similar experiences in the Irondequoit Tenant Town Court Program on two occasions.

"I’ve also been able to help out by calling several clients facing a denial of unemployment benefits to learn details after the initial intake. I’ve also participated in client interviews involving child protective services issues, name change, identity theft, and mortgage foreclosure.”

He has also helped staff attorneys with research projects ranging from immigration and naturalization issues to unemployment to family law.

And that’s just been in his first four weeks!

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Written by Nora A. Jones

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

With CFJ at $284,435, there is much to $mile about



The Justice Society Donor Reception provided a special opportunity to acknowledge the “exeeded goal” status of the 2015 Campaign for Justice. With a $280,000 fundraising goal to support programs at three legal service agencies – Volunteer Legal Services Project, Inc., Rochester Legal Aid Society, and LawNY – the individual “high givers” ($350+) accounted for $116,000 or nearly 40% of the dollars pledged.

Law firm pledges, in-house council contributions, pledges from a dozen or more vendors, and numerous individual donors of smaller amounts comprised the balance of the $284,435 recorded for this year’s campaign.

About 86% of campaign pledges have been paid, but the remaining $40k needs to be collected to officially wrap up the Campaign for Justice by March 31.

Campaign co-chairs Frank Novak, William Q. Lowe, and Arline Santiago all expressed their relief and gratitude at this year’s campaign success.

​“Setting a $280,000 goal did make me nervous,” admitted Frank Novak, grinning broadly at the March 10th reception held at the Memorial Art Gallery.

Written by Nora A. Jones

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

A perfect match - law student and client-in-need

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When I was in law school (late 1970s), we had moot court and mock trials but the clients were fictional and we were solving staged problems. Today, many law students not only get to work on real client issues, they often gain one-on-one experience with clients in need of pro bono services.

Syracuse University law student Daniel Taroli is pictured here with Prof. Robert G. Nassau who supervises the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at the law school. Taroli recently helped VLSP client Ms. W. resolve an income tax matter. In tax year 2013, Ms. W. ended up owing both federal ($4,500) and state ($500) income tax.

The IRS worked out a payment plan for Ms. W. to pay $58 a month, and the NYS Tax Department set up a $50-a-month installment plan. She was making payments faithfully, but on a fixed income of $1,260, she was losing traction with her other living expenses. Her case was referred to VLSP, and from there the law school tax clinic.

Taroli, a third-year law student particularly interested in tax, first determined that Ms. W.’s tax debts were correct. Then he assessed her financial resources.

With the authority of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, Taroli was successful in getting Ms. W.’s federal debt status changed to “currently not collectible” based on her present income situation. Her student advocate also negotiated a reduced monthly payment to NY State, requiring only $25 a month instead of $50. Ms. W. is once again able to make her mortgage payments AND buy groceries.

“The clinic has been the most beneficial and rewarding experience I have had in law school,” Taroli acknowledged.

​Written by Nora A. Jones