"Trunk or Treat" event

JustCause partnered with  IBERO American Action League on October 27 for Trunk or Treat, a community program for parents and children.  

JustCause offered candy for the children as well as flyers, hats, and shirts to community members who stopped by our table for information on our services. More than 100 people attended the Halloween event which included a first shot vaccine clinic for adults and a costume contest for the children.

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

The HELP-U Clinic Expands to Meet the Needs of Rochester City Seniors

The HELP-U Clinic Expands to Meet the Needs of Rochester City Seniors VLSP offers a wide variety of free legal clinics that shift and expand to meet the needs of our community.  The HELP-U clinic is just one example. Made possible by a grant from the City of Rochester, the program was originally created exclusively for senior residents of the Rochester Housing Authority (RHA) buildings.  But due to increasing demand, HELP-U expanded this year to offer clinics for low-income seniors in other community locations in the City of Rochester. HELP-U is the product of a partnership between VLSP and volunteer attorneys from Harter Secrest and Emery LLP and the Counsel’s Office at the University of Rochester.   Pro bono attorneys provide legal services consisting of preparing wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney, and other documents involved with estate planning.  The success of the clinic is owed, in large part, to Jon Webster, then the pro bono coordinator at the firm, and David Ferris, who trained and mentored attorneys who were new to this practice area.  Ben Mudrick has succeeded Jon Webster as the firm’s pro bono coordinator.

Pro bono attorneys Graham S. Leonard, Mark R. Wright, and
Andrew J. Anderson at Lifespan's Wolk Cafe at Sibley Square

During the past 3 years, clinics were held at Ridge Hudson, Parliament Arms, Danforth, Kennedy Tower, Lake Towers, Lena Gantt Estates, Lexington Court, and University Towers. That’s quite a list and a testament to the commitment made by the pro bono attorneys to appear wherever there is a need.  The expansion of the program allows the clinic to partner with other agencies serving the same clientele.  I witnessed one group of dedicated volunteer attorneys at a recent clinic held at Lifespan’s downtown location.

Pro bono attorney
David R. Ferris

I had the privilege of meeting David R. Ferris, Andrew J. Anderson, and Graham S. Leonard, attorneys with Harter Secrest and Emery, LLP, and Mark R. Wright, an attorney with the University of Rochester Counsel’s Office.  Each of them appeared at Lifespan with an armful of files and a room of clients. I spoke with two of the clients who gave glowing reviews of the service. One client said it was “a great service” and she hoped that there would be more advertising.  She tried to spread the word to her friends. When I asked another client about her impressions, she spoke at length saying: “I’m happy they came through...they were patient and understanding of the needs of senior citizens….the service was excellent, the representatives were great, and I’m very thankful for the services rendered.”  She went on to speak about how easy it is to put off doing what you need to do in order to avoid chaos later. She felt that estate planning definitely avoided a chaotic outcome.

Having joined VLSP recently, I’m still learning about the legal community in Rochester. Everyday I’m impressed by the care and compassion I see in attorneys like David, Andrew, Graham, and Mark. They donate their legal skills to people who are vulnerable and lack the means to prepare for the future. Their efforts empower their clients and bring peace of mind by ensuring their wishes are heard - even if they don’t have the means to hire a private attorney.  

VLSP celebrates the HELP-U clinic expansion and the volunteers who make it possible!

For more information on the HELP-U Project, contact VLSP Attorney Ann Williams at (585) 295-5708. 

By Catherine J. Palermo, Pro Bono Director

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.

Elder law outreach program gaining traction

In 2015, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP launched the HELP-U program in conjunction with the University of Rochester General Counsel Office to reach the underserved older population by focusing on residents in Rochester Housing Authority buildings. Since then information clinics have been held at Kennedy Tower, Ridge Hudson Towers, Lena Gantt Estates, Lexington Court, University Tower, Lake Tower, Keeler Park Apartments, and Danforth Towers.

“VLSP has offered Wills Clinics in the past, but this outreach program has more potential to reach clients in need by bringing information into the community where many of the eligible clients live,” noted Ann Williams, VLSP staff attorney.

Jon O. Webster

Jon O. Webster, pro bono coordinator at HS&E, was instrumental in establishing this program to focus on the area’s underserved older population. Webster enlisted colleague David Ferris, an experienced elder law attorney, to mentor volunteer attorneys who don’t regularly work with wills, health care proxies, and powers of attorney.

For any specific location, an information clinic is first held to advise residents on the purpose and need for a will, health care proxy, or other end-of-life documents.   A second clinic is scheduled a couple weeks after that to provide one-on-one guidance for those interested.   There is no charge for the clinic or the preparation of documents that can provide a great deal of peace of mind and protection as residents live out their senior years.

“The second clinic is particularly enjoyable since we have already built a bond with the clients, and they get to see their wishes put into writing,” said Webster.

From Harter Secrest & Emery, the following attorneys have participated in clinics to date:  Andrew J. Anderson, Emily R. L. Cohen, Jeffrey M. Donigan, Lucrecia Z. Knapp, Jacob C. Miller, Glenn R. Schieck, Scott Simpson, Edward (Ted) Townsend, Ferris and Webster. 

Due to the success of the local initiative, Harter Secrest & Emery initiated a similar pro bono program in conjunction with their Buffalo office, working with VLSP’s Erie County counterpart.

Shani Mitchell

Mark Wright from the UR General Counsel Office and Aileen Shinaman have also been involved, along with several volunteers from Rochester Black Bar Association (Shani Mitchell, Nicole Harris, and LaToya Lee) and the Attorney Emeritus Program (Gary VanGraafeiland, Seymour Weinstein and Barbara Heyne.)

Written by Nora A. Jones

By the numbers…

While most of us have been distracted by the single digit numbers on the thermometer to start 2018, the VLSP offices have been tracking the incoming donations for the 2017 Campaign for Justice. With 81% of goal recorded, the actual dollars needed to make the $270,000 goal hovers around $51,000.

Many of the individual donations to date are from lawyers who also donate pro bono hours to VLSP over the course of a year. Some of the dollars came from young attorneys who participated in this year’s Law Firm Challenge where 202 young attorneys raised $9,466.68 in a special 3 weeks competition in November. The average “under-40” donation was $46.86. Ten of the 20 participating law offices had 100% participation by the age-eligible attorneys.

“Now that we’ve had a break in the weather, I hope to see more activity around incoming pledges,” noted VLSP’s Executive Director Tina Foster.

The start of a new year is also a great time to review some of the civil legal services available through VLSP, the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, and LawNY -- which utilize the campaign dollars.

The 7 th Judicial District Court Help Center just marked its fifth anniversary, with annual traffic to this community resource hitting 3,600 last year. That surpassed the 2016 total of Help Center requests by 750.

The Family Law and Custody Clinic is held about 20 times a year, and VLSP staff attorney Mary Beth Conway typically places about 115 cases with volunteer attorneys each year—in addition to matters handled at the clinics.

The Federal Pro Se Assistance Program is committed to two sessions per week in the Rochester location as it approaches its one-year anniversary since launched last February. In the course of 2017, the PSAP served approximately 73 pro se litigants in Rochester’s U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

More numbers next time…. Let’s focus on the $50k needed to complete the Campaign for Justice.

Written by Nora A. Jones

Spreading the word about the Campaign for Justice…

Franz Wright, Bill Lowe, Jonathan Falk

 Jonathan Falk (Legal Aid Society) and colleagues Franz Wright (Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC) and Bill Lowe (Harris Beach PLLC) were on a mission in November to spread the word about the Campaign for Justice to Rochester attorneys in the early years of their careers. Targeting attorneys under age 40, they engaged 20 law firms and legal organizations, getting 202 young attorneys to contribute to the campaign.

“The goal was percentage participating,” explained Falk, CFJ Co-Chair, talking about the Law Firm Challenge which ran Nov. 6-29. “And 10 of the 20 organizations had 100% participation by their under-40 attorneys.”

LawNY staff and volunteers

The phonathon portion of the CFJ kicked off November 15, and dozens of volunteers have been making phone calls to colleagues and friends seeking pledges toward the $270,000 campaign goal. There are more than 2200 names in the Campaign database, so it takes a lot of volunteers to get through the list.

Staff at Legal Services of Western New York have been making calls to attorneys with no record of donating to the Campaign – and there are quite a few names. Among them, many who don’t know about the great need for civil legal services in our own community where so many live in poverty.

 

Karen Schaefer

“If every lawyer in the greater Rochester area would donate the value of one billable hour, we’d easily make our goal, but not every lawyer knows about the Campaign and how this single fundraiser serves three legal service organizations: LawNY, Legal Aid Society of Rochester, and VLSP,” Karen Schaefer, CFJ Co-Chair explained.

So, if you are reading this and haven’t yet donated to this year’s campaign, go to https://www.vlsprochester.org/campaign-for-justice and make a donation now. Get that payment in before December 31 to get a tax break on your 2017 charitable deductions.

Written by Nora A. Jones
 

Volunteer attorneys present options regarding tenants’ potential eviction

It’s almost 5 p.m. Monday at the Irondequoit Public Safety Building and I am directed into Room B where volunteer attorneys from the NYS Appellate Division, Fourth Department are checking in with VLSP staff attorney Karen Chung to learn about the issues that brought numerous tenants to Town Court this evening.

Since January 2016, Alan Ross, AD4th Deputy Court Clerk, has worked behind the scenes to ensure VLSP has attorneys to staff the Tenant Town Court Program twice a month.  From the Office of Attorneys for Children, Linda Kostin also helps recruit volunteers, facilitating training and collaboration for new law clerks cycling through the Fourth Department.

John T. Ryan and Gabriela Wolfe are both on two-year assignments as court attorneys, Ryan starting last August, and Wolfe now in her second year.

Ryan, who spent two years as an associate at a small firm before coming to the Appellate Division noted, “In tenant court, there is no time to make sure you are perfect on the law, it is about understanding your client’s situation and finding a solution that works best for them.”

Wolfe, a 2016 Syracuse Law graduate, added: “I have participated approximately 5 times and always come away feeling as if I have directly and positively impacted someone’s life.  It can be challenging to meet and represent a client within such a tight timeframe, but it is certainly worth the almost palpable look of relief on the faces of those clients I am able to help.”

            Nicole Thompson is finishing her Monroe Community College Paralegal Certification program and is volunteering with VLSP to meet the pro bono requirement of her legal certification program.  She’s quick to greet clients looking for help and gets their basic information collected on some forms on a clipboard.  

 “I plan to come back and volunteer in the future,” Thompson said.

Once clients were all checked in Thompson had the opportunity to observe Linda Kostin’s discussion with a client about a payment schedule for overdue rent.  Kostin and the attorney for the landlord were able to negotiate a settlement with payments spread over several weeks.  The court accepted their terms and eviction was avoided.

This particular Monday evening there are four tenants seeking relief from imminent eviction.  Most hinge on money owed.  The problem is, most tenants do not know their options or how to go about negotiating a payment plan the landlord will accept. 

“Most clients don’t know what their options are, and having a volunteer attorney walk through the choices goes a long way towards calming the panic a notice of eviction puts into people,” VLSP attorney Karen Chung explained. 

Additional attorneys from the Appellate Division who currently volunteer for the program include Michael G. Paul, Michael Tuohey, Lisa Paine, Adam Oshrin, Joe Dinolfo, Kristen Henderson, Kristen Warner, Erin Sanger, Cory Schoonmaker, Jon Caterero, Michael Staszkiw, and Maria Gaige.

Because many of the court attorneys involved are on two-year assignments at the Appellate Division, reinforcements have been needed at times to meet client needs.  That’s where Nixon Peabody, LLP came to the rescue on several occasions.  Special thanks to Darren Miller and Daniel Brennan for responding to the plea for help.

Written by Nora A. Jones

Thanks to All Who Made Art of Lawyering a HUGE SUCCESS

VLSP’s 2017 Art of Lawyering fundraiser was truly the best one yet—especially in terms of raising
funds. More than DOUBLE the proceeds compared to the 2015 Art of Lawyering.

And we couldn’t have done it without all of you who attended, all of you who donated your artistic offerings, all of you who entertained us and all of you who provided food and beverages at no cost.

A round of applause for the donation of the Village Gate venue by Stern Management and numerous other sponsors whose in-kind or financial contribution helped enormously! And a special shout-out to Sedgewick Business Interiors for the fabulous office chair to auction; W. B. Mason for the amazing Yankees package; and Bellangelo Estates for the one-of- a-kind winery guest house package.

A toast to Constellation Brands for their sponsorship and donation of wine, along with a toast to the many attendees who bid successfully on a wide variety of creative items and packages.

Looking at the specific numbers, the 2017 net proceeds totaled $24,804.

The FUN factor also seemed to surpass all previous Art of Lawyering events.

“The Village Gate space evokes a spirit of fun,” one guest noted.

“I never saw a LIVE mannequin before,” admitted another.

Special Counsel, the Lisa Winter Group, Danielle Ponder, and Biodance Dance Company added to the festive atmosphere just as Lento, India House, Good Luck, Black Button Distillery, Get Caked Bakery, California Rollin’, The Olney Place, Rooster Hill Vineyards, and Wright Beverage pleased the discriminating palate.

The 2017 event co-chairs, David Tennant and Mary Ognibene, were seen giving “high fives” to all their committee members for several days after the event. For those interested in helping with the 2019 Art of Lawyering – get on board now by contacting David Tennant: dtennant@nixonpeabody.com.


Written by Nora A. Jones

Rochester’s PSAP initiative going strong at 8 months

Launched in February 2017, the Federal Pro Se Assistance Program (PSAP) has been operating out of the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building each Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. Starting this fall, those hours have expanded to include Fridays, noon to 2 p.m. also.

The PSAP was started by U.S. District Court Judge William Skretny in 2013 in Buffalo as a
collaboration between the University at Buffalo School of Law and the U.S. District Court of the Western District of New York.

In order to expand to Rochester, VLSP joined the effort to help coordinate volunteers to staff the program walk-ins. In the months since February, approximately 42 pro se individuals have been helped in 18 sessions. With fall semester underway, there will be 22 sessions to staff. VLSP Staff Attorney Karen Chung is still recruiting experienced federal court litigators or appellate attorneys to help with PSAP through the fall.

Vicki Economou (Rochester) and Emily Stouffer-Quinn (Nunda) were the UB law students selected for the initial Rochester launch. Both commuted to Buffalo for classroom work, but the PSAP program gave them the opportunity to get face-to- face client experience.

Lindsay Hartley and Emma Molodetz, both from Rochester, were the UB Law participants through the summer term, and they are staffing the fall semester sessions as well.

More and more pro se litigants are seeking relief in federal court, and such cases provide unique learning opportunities for law students, while moving cases forward in the very over-scheduled district court.

Professor Bernadette Gargano, who teaches the pro se civil litigation practicum at UB Law,
explained: “Students screen unrepresentated litigants for financial eligibility for the program and gather background information for the volunteer attorneys who will in turn offer limited scope legal assistance on civil claims being pursued in the WDNY.”

The volunteer attorneys who have participated in the PSAP program in Rochester to date include: Siddarth Bahl (Brenna Brenna & Boyce), Jared Cook (Adams Bell Adams PC), Justin Cordello (Cordello Law PLLC), Joseph Gawlowicz (Trevett Cristo), Barbara Heyne (solo practice), Timothy Hoover (Hodgson Russ LLP), Cindy Lapoff (Trevett Cristo), Michael Ognenovski (Thomson Reuters), David Rothenberg (Geiger & Rothenberg LLP), Ernest Santoro (Ernest D. Santoro, Esq. PC), Mark Whitford (Barclay Damon LLP), and Lisa Paine(Fourth Department, Mental Hygiene).

Written by Nora A. Jones

OH WHAT FUN! at the Art of Lawyering fundraiser

In an upbeat, social atmosphere, guests assembled for the 6th VLSP Art of Lawyering fundraiser on Oct. 19.

“The best one yet,” said one faithful attendee who stuck around until bid sheets were collected.

More food, more entertainment, and more auction items all contributed to the festive atmosphere at Village Gate.

At left, Judi Fonzi, Mary Grace Piazza, and Jim Fonzi enjoy a glass of Constellation’s donated wine before moving on to peruse the nearly 70 auction packages ranging from original art work to experiences like dinner parties and theatre tickets.

“I can’t believe I won the knitting lessons,” squealed Josie Sheppard as she bounced around the checkout table. “I can’t believe I am going to learn to knit!”


A performance by Biodance took advantage of the vast Village Gate space as the quartet of dancers made their way through the crowd. Black Button Distillery offered samplings of some fine adult beverages and Special Counsel serenaded the first 90 minutes of event.

“Thanks to all who attended, all who contributed, and all who came out for one of the most worthwhile events of the year,” noted David Tennant, event co-chair.

Long-time VLSP Executive Director Sheila Gaddis was there along with her successor, Tina Foster.

A live mannequin served as part of the entertainment, and the cash and carry boutique had some highly sought-after “lawyered up” tee shirts, wearable art designed by famed Texas lawyer/artist Charles Fincher who supported Art of Lawyering in 2015 and again this year.

Written by Nora A. Jones

Bob Hooks shares his experience ‘outside his comfort zone’

Willow Domestic Violence Center (formerly Alternatives for Battered Women) has provided services in the Rochester community for nearly 40 years. Many still think of it as ABW but the Willow Center’s new name and location have helped it broaden its reach.

Robert Hooks, partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, has 30 years of commercial litigation experience, and for nearly a decade, he has been stepping far outside his comfort zone to participate in the advice clinics held at Willow Center every other month.

“VLSP staff attorney Mary Beth Conway explains the services offered by VLSP and Legal Aid, and we listen to what the attendees have to say,” Hooks shares. “Most abused individuals are in relationships where their partner also controls the finances. They don’t understand their property rights or how the system works.”

Conway is the perfect Willow Center liaison as she also holds a Child Custody Clinic at VLSP offices twice a month and has years of experience in family/matrimonial law.

“The Willow Center clinics are very much a general advice clinics,” Conway says. “It is a group setting and there is always an opportunity for the individuals to ask questions.”

“There is never the same fact pattern,” Hooks adds. “Women from out-of- state or other countries often raise cross jurisdictional complications. The clinic participants may be from the city, the suburbs, or surrounding counties. Sometimes we see men who are abused. It is often women, but not
only women. They all have a story and they refuse to give up. The survivor instinct crosses all economic, age, and racial divides.”

Margaret Kreiss, Counseling Program Coordinator at Willow Center explains: “Domestic violence survivors often face multiple legal barriers in ultimately finding safety for themselves and their families. Willow has partnered with VLSP for over 15 years to meet this need, and to advise and empower survivors.”

Kreiss has been with Willow Center for nine years and adds, “The help and guidance VLSP and Mary Beth have provided our survivors is truly amazing.”

Written by Nora A. Jones

Debt Clinic volunteers make such a difference

If VLSP were to create an in-house dictionary, David MacKnight’s photo could logically go with the entry for Debt Clinic since he has volunteered at the clinic virtually since its inception in 1986, when MacKnight had a mere 10 years of experience at the firm now known as Lacy Katzen LLP.

“The people who come in for debt advice have generally become wedged into financial situations they just cannot extricate themselves from,” MacKnight acknowledged.  “Often their earning capacity has been compromised through illness or disability.”

The Debt Management Advice and Consultation Clinic consists of two sessions, each held in alternate months.  The first session, held at the Federal Court in Rochester, involves an experienced bankruptcy attorney providing general advice to a group about the debt collection process, how to handle harassing phone calls, and information about Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. 

   “The clients who come to the first clinic often assume they need to file for bankruptcy, but that isn’t always the best solution, or the necessary next step,” MacKnight explained.

Individuals who attend the first group session are then assessed for eligibility to attend a second session which consists of one-on-one consultations with experienced bankruptcy attorneys.  VLSP has a panel of volunteers that includes at least 25 names.  Some of those names, like MacKnight, are active all year every year, as are many of his colleagues.

“I think any attorney who practices bankruptcy law has an inner desire to help individuals,” MacKnight added, when asked about his loyalty in volunteering. 

VLSP Staff Attorney Karen Chung oversees the Debt Clinic, ensuring volunteers are available for each clinic, and that includes paralegal volunteers as well. 

“We have two very dedicated paralegals from Thomson Reuters who have years of experience at the clinic, said Chung, in reference to long-time volunteers Karen Drysdale and Patricia Carey.

So maybe we need multiple photos attached to the Debt Management Advice and Consultation Clinic entry in our VLSP Monroe County, Inc. glossary of terms.

Written by Nora A. Jones

What do all of these items have in common?

Photo on metal by Ross Lanzafame

Keurig K145

Vintage brooch necklace by Mary Chao

Two luxury box seats for a 2018 Yankees game

2 tickets to a 2017-18 Geva production

Beginner & intermediate knitting lessons

Still life by Jill Paperno

All will be up for bid at the Oct. 19 Art of Lawyering

Advance tickets now available for $30 at https://www.vlsprochester.org/art-of-lawyering

$35 at the door.  Reception and silent auction from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Rochester’s Village Gate.

Food and beverages donated by:  Lento,  Good Luck,  Black Button Distilling,  California Rollin’,  Wright Beverage, India House Restaurant, Get Caked Bakery, Rooster Hill Vineyards, The Olney Place …& more

Music and entertainment while you shop. Auction closes at 7:45. Come early, bid often.

Cash & Carry Boutique will again feature Art of Lawyering beer glasses and other novelties including aprons, potholders, dish towels, and edible art.

Written by Nora A. Jones