Volunteers Remain Committed to Helping Tenants Facing Eviction

This month VLSP highlights the dedicated volunteers at the Tenant Town and Village

Court Pro Bono Program.  The program was established by VLSP in 2016 to provide

representation for low income tenants facing evictions and is generously funded by
The New York Bar Foundation.  Court attorneys from the Appellate Division Fourth
Department staff the program and appear twice a month at night court.  There is
always at least one VLSP staff attorney and a staff paralegal or a non-attorney
volunteer present to handle intake.  The scope of the service is limited to one court
appearance, but volunteers can opt to provide extended representation. In addition
to evaluating any potential defenses, pro bono attorneys at the program negotiate
settlements for additional time to make payments on rent arrears to allow client to
remain in their home or give them much needed time to relocate.

The volunteers were recently honored by the New York State Bar Association with its 2018 President’s Pro Bono Service Award for their efforts.  Well deserved recognition! Since its inception, the program has helped 260 litigants and the attorneys have collectively donated 450 pro bono hours, not including extended representation hours.  The champions of the court’s involvement include: Presiding Justice Gerald J. Whalen, Penfield Town Justice James Mulley, Alan Ross, Deputy Clerk of the Fourth Department, and Linda Kostin, Assistant Director of the Attorney for Children Program.  Justice Whalen and Judge Mulley recognized the necessity of counsel when faced with homelessness and led the effort to organize the program. VLSP, along with Ross and Kostin, work together to supervise the schedules, ensure there are enough court attorneys for each docket, and collaborate on training the volunteer panel.     

Thank you to all of the volunteers who have made the Tenant Town Court Program a success!   

Tenant Town Court Volunteer Honor Roll for 2018

Gregory Berry
Dan Brennan
Andrew Dean

Joe Dinolfo

Mike Furlano

Maria Gaige

Kristin Henderson

Linda Kostin

Daniel Lei

Adam Oshrin

Matthew Paris

Mike Paul

John Ryan

Erin Sanger

Erin Skinner

Mike Tuohey

Tara Ward

Kristin Warner

Gabriela Wolfe

Pictured:  Daniel Lei (Appellate Division Court Attorney), Andrew Dean (Appellate Division Court Attorney), Emily Chisolm (UB law student), Pauline Smith (VLSP Paralegal), and Matthew Paris (Appellate Division court attorney)

Pictured:  Katie Hyma (VLSP Pro Bono Scholar)

and Kristin Johnson (VLSP Staff Attorney and manager of the Tenant Town Court Program)

The Tenant Town and Village Court Pro Bono Program is generously
funded by The New York Bar Foundation

A TRIBUTE TO SUPER VOLUNTEER GEORGE K. FORSYTH

February 2019 Spotlight

A TRIBUTE TO SUPER VOLUNTEER GEORGE K. FORSYTH

We hope your New Year is going well so far! We’re kicking off February with our Spotlight

on a Volunteer. This month, we are shining a light on VLSP Super Volunteer, George K. Forsyth. George has been an active volunteer for decades providing pro bono services to survivors of domestic violence in matrimonial and family law cases. These cases are typically complex, emotionally charged, and difficult to place with a pro bono attorney.

George takes on multiple cases every year and 2018 was no different. In one case, the client’s spouse sought to exert power and control by homeschooling the children. George successfully obtained an order directing public school education. In the context of a violent relationship, this was a victory with consequences exceeding the education of the children.

In another case, a survivor was seeking child support from the non-custodial, self-employed parent. Those cases are notoriously difficult and require meticulous attention to detail because of opportunities to hide or shield income or assets in order to distort the calculation of child support. When the respondent is an abusive spouse, the difficulty can be compounded. One of the primary ways abusers attempt to maintain control is through access to finances because that access often means greater freedom for survivors.  The cases George accepts have a lasting impact on individuals, their families, and our community.

Domestic violence is an ongoing scourge, but it is challenging to shine a light on it and maintain that light. Survivors may carry physical, emotional, and sometimes financial scars and need help. The court system can be a place in which a survivor is forced to interact with an abuser who may have greater resources, including representation. It’s not only empowering to have an advocate, it’s often essential to avoid an abuser using the courts as a weapon. Navigating the system without counsel can feel overwhelming and further traumatize survivors of abuse.

George is willing to mentor those who lack a background in family law but want to help. Thank you, George, for your unwavering support for those in crisis!  

Ready to accept a Family Law case?  How about joining our Family Law Panel?  Please contact VLSP Managing Attorney Mary Beth Conway at (585) 295-5707 or mconway@vlsprochester.org.

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

By Catherine J. Palermo, Pro Bono Director