Pro bono attorney Emily Cohen goes above and beyond for people in need

VLSP would like to pay tribute to a young attorney in our community who has generously donated her time to pro bono representation; recruiting additional volunteers; and providing training for pro bono attorneys. Emily R. L. Cohen, an associate with Harter, Secrest, and Emery, LLP was admitted to the NYS bar in 2013. In just 5 years, Emily has become a mentor and by her service, demonstrates compassion and humility. In addition to her day job, she’s been a champion of low income individuals in need. Not only has she handled numerous pro bono cases herself, she created, organized, and presented a Matrimonial CLE to train others, at both the Rochester and Buffalo Harter, Secrest, and Emery LLP offices, to help meet the growing need for volunteers.

Anyone who has practiced matrimonial law knows that those cases are, more often than not, fraught with emotion. There can also be toxic relationships involved and clients can be at their most vulnerable. Emily accepted her first pro bono case with VLSP in January 2017 and has consistently made herself available for more. She’s handled a steady stream of cases and has become a keeper of the flame representing access to justice.

Attorney Cohen has also participated in many VLSP clinics, including the Helping Elders Law Project, which is a signature project of Harter, Secrest and Emery LLP. That clinic provides on-site legal help to seniors in Rochester Housing Authority buildings. Pro bono attorneys prepare wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney and other documents for low-income people who are elderly and/or disabled.

VLSP offers many similar clinics for low-income people on a variety of topics, including immigration and family preparedness; federal pro se assistance; family law; debt management; micro-entrepreneurial issues for small businesses; and issues affecting domestic violence victims, to name a few. The clinics are a great way to give back to our community, even if you only have a couple of hours to volunteer. But beware -- the rewarding experience might just be addictive! Emily Cohen is a shining example of how to catch the pro bono bug - thank you, Emily, for making Rochester an even better place to live!

Please visit https://www.vlsprochester.org/volunteer-opportunities for a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities. VLSP thanks our extensive family of volunteers for their continued support and commitment to providing exceptional legal services to low income community members.