Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP has been assisting the Cancer Advocacy Project (CAP) of the City Bar Justice Center for many years in the preparation of simple wills and powers of attorney and related issues for disenfranchised individuals diagnosed with cancer. Kevin Curnin, Stroock's Pro Bono Partner, is the active and enthusiastic supervisor of the volunteer attorneys at Stroock who offer to assist those in need of legal assistance at a most vulnerable period in their lives. In 2006, Stroock assisted more than 20 cancer patients and their families, and provided advice and consultation to CAP staff on a manual which will serve as a simple guide to cancer patients and their families on legal issues in end of life planning.

Laura Mosiello, Director of the Cancer Advocacy Project, commented that, "often, advance directives are not initiated by the patient or family until the terminal stages of cancer. Stroock attorneys have been invaluable at facilitating these documents in a timely manner and going to a patient's home, hospice or hospital bed if necessary. This portion of the Cancer Advocacy Project could not flourish without their help."

Stroock has about five attorneys ready and willing to assist with these clients. For instance, Ms. Deborah Olsen, a volunteer attorney from Stroock, has taken numerous cases over the years for CAP. During one case, Ms. Olsen coordinated with the dying hospice patient and her sister living out of state. Ms. Olsen completed a simple will for the client before her death, which allowed the family some relief in a time of stress. We are grateful for the assistance that she and other Stroock attorneys have provided. Other Stroock attorneys participating in this project, from the firm's Personal Client Services Group, are Ron Stein, Martha Griffin, Michelle Monticciolo, Seth Slotkin, and Mark Lehrman.

"The City Bar Justice Center quite rightly saw the need for an established legal support project for this vulnerable population and has quite adeptly moved to meet that need," says Mr. Curnin. "I have an incredible amount of confidence in our lawyers on this project, who have risen to the occasion so readily, and who combine expertise with empathy."

We could not offer this valuable service without the help of these talented, sensitive and caring attorneys.