The NYC Pro Bono Center Newsletter - July/August 2008
Friday, July 18
- Organization: Pro Bono Net
You will need to log in using the password that you created or was assigned to you when you joined in order to access some of the material on the site. Can't remember your password? Click here to have it emailed to you.
Outstanding Volunteers
The City Bar Justice Center is delighted to honor American Express as an outstanding volunteer for their work with the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP). Linking philanthropic support and legal expertise, American Express awarded a grant to NELP to develop a new financial literacy initiative geared towards low-income microentrepreneurs. Then attorneys in the Corporate Legal Department at American Express work pro bono with NELP to teach the program's financial literacy course. Learn more
This month, the Legal Aid Society honors Ilona Coleman-Lange, a sixth-year litigation associate at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. Ilona was Legal Aid's first extern with the Criminal Defense Practice and Legal Aid Attorney Claudia Conway was Ilona's primary mentor. During her six month externship, the Legal Aid Society's Pro Bono Practice sat down with Ilona to talk about her experience. Learn more
Sanctuary for Families and the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges won a precedent-setting appellate victory in the case of Miriam Marchany v. Warren Marchany. Associates at Weil, Gotshal & Manges worked closely with attorneys at Sanctuary for Families in securing protection for the same-sex partner of a woman who was a victim of domestic violence. In particular, Weil attorneys Mark Fiore, Caroline Geiger, and Harris Cohen worked with Sanctuary attorney Brett Figlewski and were crucial in achieving victory in the case. Learn more
We welcome your contributions! To nominate an outstanding volunteer, send an email describing the pro bono case or project to tmessina@probono.net
New Case Opportunities
Domestic Violence Victim Requires Pro Bono Counsel to Secure Publication Divorce
The Legal Aid Society seeks pro bono representation for a survivor of domestic violence who is seeking a divorce from her batterer, whom she has not seen in 11 years. The client unsuccessfully has searched for him in order to initiate divorce proceedings. Pro bono counsel, working with a Legal Aid supervising matrimonial attorney, is being sought to conduct a diligent search for the husband, to file a motion for an order of publication if necessary, and to represent the client in the divorce proceeding. Learn more
Senior Citizen Seeks Counsel to Protect Late Son's Assets
The Legal Aid Society seeks pro bono representation for a client who assumed responsibility as the Public Administrator for his son’s estate. The estate consists of a life insurance policy and a pension. Neither of these assets are payable to the father. A creditor initiated a lawsuit in Queens Supreme Court, suing the client in both his Administrator capacity and individually. Client is seeking pro bono counsel to represent him. Learn more
Click here to see the full listing of available cases.
Pro Bono News
Kaye Scholer Attorney Wins New Parole Hearing and Subsequent Release for Exemplary Inmate
Jacqueline Arana, an associate with Kaye Scholer LLP working pro bono with the Legal Aid Society, filed an Article 78 petition against the parole board on behalf of Jack South, challenging the arbitrariness of the most recent denial of parole. Mr. South, who receieved a bachelor’s and master’s degrees followed by a doctorate in theology, overcame a heroin addiction and counseled other prisoners, yet had been denied parole six times. With the help of Ms. Arana, Mr. South was victorious at his recent hearing and will be released from prison shortly. Learn More
Summer Associates Help Low-Income Tenants Facing Housing Trouble
Thank you to NYC firms enabling summer associates to help low-income tenants facing housing trouble through the Housing Court Summer Assistance Project. The Housing Court Summer Assistance Project, sponsored by The City Bar Justice Center, the New York City Bar's Housing Court Public Service Committee, and the Civil Courts of the City of New York, has summer associates spend a week providing assistance to tenants in Housing Courts throughout New York City. Learn More
Click here to read more pro bono news.
New Resources Available in the Library 
NYLAG Summer CLE Series Training Materials and Webcasts
The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) has been updating its training materials based on their Summer 2008 training series. Find Webcasts and training materials on Child Support in the NYC Pro Bono Center Library. Keep checking back for more NYLAG trainings being posted throughout the summer!
Click here to see more training materials.
Upcoming Trainings and Events
Tuesday July 29: Employment Law
This free NYLAG CLE training will provide an overview of the federal, state, and New York City laws protecting workers, including: employment discrimination statutes, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), whistleblower protection law, and state and city laws protecting employees with criminal or arrest records. Learn more
Friday August 08: An Application of International Human Rights Principles in U.S. Violence Against Women Litigation
This free CLE program will explore how international human rights legal principles may be used persuasively in domestic violence cases in U.S. state courts. The panel, moderated by Judge Pamila Brown, Chair of the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence, will provide examples of effective advocacy on behalf of victims of domestic violence and others using international human rights principles in U.S. courts . Learn more
Click here to view the full calendar of pro bono events
and training opportunities.
Did you know...
Did you know that Jenner & Block topped the American Lawyer Pro Bono list for 2007? You may know who made the A-List of the American Lawyer's top firms, but do you know what firms are in the top ten for thier commitment to pro bono work? Find out which firms made the Pro Bono Top Ten
Click here to view our archive of the NYC Pro Bono Center Newsletter.
You are receiving this email because you have registered as a member of
the NYC Pro Bono Center on probono.net/NY.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please email me at tmessina@probono.net.
You may also write to Pro Bono Net at
Pro Bono Net, 151 West 30th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
