November's Outstanding Volunteers

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP; Reed Smith, LLP; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, LLP; Covington & Burling, LLP; Howrey, LLP; McCarter & English, LLP; Mayer Brown LLP; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP; Shearman & Sterling, LLP; and Winston & Strawn LLP stepped forward this year to work with the City Bar Justice Center to help coordinate the Veterans Assistance Project.   Learn more

Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP was recently recognized by the Legal Aid Society for its dedication to Legal Aid's most vulnerable clients -- homeless families and mentally disabled prisoners.  Learn more

We welcome your contributions! To nominate an outstanding volunteer, send an email describing the pro bono case or project to amcdermott@probono.net

New Case Opportunities

Stepfather seeks to adopt stepson with autism

MFY Legal Services seeks pro bono counsel to help stepfather adopt his 11 year old stepson who has been diagnosed with autism  The biological father, who was abusive to the mother, agreed to give up all parental rights to the child ten years ago. The mother and client are married and the client is really looking forward to adopting the boy who he sees as his own son.   Learn more

Stepfather seeks to adopt two stepsons

MFY Legal Services seeks pro bono counsel to help stepfather adopt his two teenage stepsons. He and the mother were married six years ago; however, he has known the children for their entire lives, and they see him as their father. The biological father has passed away. Client is Spanish-speaking only.  Learn more

Click here to see the full listing of available cases.

New Resources Available in the Library

A Guide to Burial Assistance for New Yorkers in Need

Published by Volunteers of Legal Service, this 18 page Guide provides information about a number of organizations that provide financial assistance to help make burial arrangements for poor New York City residents.  Helpful information when working on a Wills & Estates case.  Click here to read the guide.

Click here to see more training materials.

Upcoming Trainings

November 19:  New York City Housing Authority Training

This Legal Aid Society training will teach you to represnt public housing residents where the New York City Housing Authority is seeking to terminate tenancy due to alleged breach of  lease or the Authority's rules and regulations.  Learn more

November 28:  Not-for-Profit Incorporation Training

This Legal Aid Society training will cover basic due diligence by attorneys to learn about an organization prior to drafting any documents, preparation of the not-for-profit charter and bylaws, and application to the IRS for tax exempt recognition.  Learn more

December 4:  Early Intervention & Preschool Special Education for Foster Children

This Legal Aid Society training will help you develop the ability to access critical educational/developmental services for young children ages 0-5 who are the subjects of abuse and neglect proceedings in the New York City Family Courts.  Learn more

December 5:  A World of Opportunity: International Pro Bono and Public Service

Hosted by the City Bar Public Service Network, Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Coordinators, and Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, this program will cover international pro bono and public service work that can be done here and abroad, the variety of organizations sponsoring such opportunities, and firsthand accounts by attorney volunteers.  Learn more

December 6:  Article 78 Proceedings

This Legal Aid Society training will tech you how to litigate an appeal of an administrative decision in State Supreme Court and the Appellate Division..  Learn more

Click here to view the full calendar of pro bono events
and training opportunities.

Pro Bono News

City Bar Justice Center Welcomes a New Executive Director

The City Bar Justice Center is excited to introduce its new Executive Director.  Lynn M. Kelly, formally the Executive Director of MFY Legal Services, joined the Justice Center in late October.  Learn More 

 

Legal Aid Society Announces its 2007-2008 Training Schedule

The Legal Aid Society has published its 2007-2008 pro bono training schedule. A combined Legal Aid and law firm faculty conduct some 20 training sessions hosted by participating firms for attorneys interested in volunteering in Legal Aid's pro bono program, covering diverse legal areas of the pro bono program.   Learn More (links to PDF)

Click here to read more pro bono news.