March 2011 Volunteer Feature: Morrison & Foerster LLP Associate Amy Phillips Saves HIV Law Project Client from eviction.
HIV Law Project recognizes Amy Phillips, an associate at the New York office of Morrison & Foerster LLP for her commitment to serving marginalized New Yorkers living with HIV who are threatened with eviction.
Ms. Phillips' zealous advocacy on behalf of an indigent client living with HIV illustrates Morrison & Foerster's commitment to pro bono work and embodies the values of HIV Law Project.
Ms. Phillips has been working with Mr. P. whose landlord was trying to evict him. Mr. P's landlord was seeking to evict Mr. P from his home stating that Mr. P's lease was terminated. Ms. Phillips worked with HIV Law Project to determine Mr. P.'s rights, and after discovering that Mr. P's landlord had illegally removed the apartment from rent stabilization, and was charging Mr. P an illegal rent, was successful in obtaining summary judgment. The landlord appealed the lower court order and lost at the Appellate Term. The landlord moved for permission to appeal to the Appellate Division and was denied. Throughout the long appeals process, Ms. Phillips has continued to work aggressively on behalf of Mr. P- advocating for repairs to the apartment and assisting Mr. P. with a Medicaid issue.
The case is set for trial on the remaining issues for late March 2011. Ms. Phillips will surely bring her passionate dedication to the trial court. HIV Law Project is extremely grateful for volunteer lawyers such as Ms. Phillips who are dedicated to obtaining justice for low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.
HIV Law Project is the only free standing legal office that provides legal advocacy on behalf of low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. HIV Law Project believes that all people deserve the same rights, including the right to live with dignity and respect, the right to be treated as equal members of society, and the right to have their basic human needs fulfilled. These fundamental rights are elusive for many people living with HIV/AIDS. Through innovative legal services and advocacy programs, HIV Law Project fights for the rights of the most underserved people living with HIV/AIDS.