A Latin lesson... for the public good...

Pro bono publico is the full Latin phrase that is often shortened to pro bono in day-to-day speech. It’s about 50 years since I took Latin 101,* but a recent Facebook quiz (48 questions!) refreshed my memory. For the exact translation of “pro bono” the answer choices were (a) for free; (b) for the good.

Curriculum vitae also popped up among the questions: is it (a) one’s accomplishments or (b) the course of one’s life?

In the course of Derrick Spatorico’s life (Pheterson Spatorico LLP), he took on a pro bono case in March 2015 that finally concluded in January 2017.

When he responded to a VLSP urgent call for volunteers in early 2015, he never imagined spending hundreds of hours over the course of some 23 months. Empire Justice was defending a husband and wife facing eviction and a partition action based on foreclosure on a second mortgage. They needed co-counsel to defend the wife as the developer filed a complaint against the now elderly couple.

“Had I known it would take so many months of work, I would have thought twice about taking the case,” admitted Spatorico. “It ended up being the right decision because this lady really needed my help. As I get older, I see more and more people who are in need of good legal services. I encourage my young associates to donate time every year.”

Vasanthi Pillai, VLSP staff attorney overseeing the case assignment, was pleased to share the news that the trial ended in January –with a result favorable to the home owners.

Without Mr. Spatorico’s dedication, for the public good, the result would have been different. And pro bono work has been a part of his life experience in the course of his career.

Written by Nora A. Jones 

 *Took 3 years of Latin at Ashtabula High School 1967- 1970; got a 93% on the FB quiz.

Just $21K to go... says CFJ Chair Andrew Brown

February is here, bringing back more hours of daylight and the promise of spring. Whether or not the ground hog saw his shadow doesn’t change that fact that there are only about 6 more weeks until the 2016 Campaign for Justice ends.
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Pledges currently stand at just over 92% of the $280,000 goal. Just a little over $21,000 is needed to reach this year’s goal. In the grand scheme of things, $21k is not that much, but without it, the civil legal service agencies would leave an even wider gap in the unmet needs of Rochester’s poverty level residents.

Assistance with tenant evictions, child custody, and consumer debt are just some of the areas where a lawyer’s help and guidance will likely make a significant difference in outcome. Even now we only meet some of the community’s needs, and the full Campaign for Justice goal is needed to maintain status quo.
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For those campaign donors who were putting off their pledge until the new year, the time is now to make your contribution. Campaign Cabinet members, volunteers, and legal agency staff have likely phoned or nudged you a couple of times, so your follow through now is most welcome.

A LawNY team reaches out to potential donors