Welcome to the November/December 2012 edition of the NYC Pro Bono Center newsletter! Read on to learn about the latest pro bono news, volunteer opportunities, upcoming trainings and new helpful resources.
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Outstanding Volunteers
Chief Judge Presents Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates with The Legal Aid Society's 2012 Pro Bono Publico Award
The firm received the 2012 Pro Bono Publico for its exceptional pro bono commitment to The Legal Aid Society and its clients. For more than 16 years, the firm's associates have provided counsel to hundreds of low-income New Yorkers facing eviction from public housing or being denied Social Security Disability Benefits. Learn more
Sheila Tendy of the City Bar Justice Center Lawyers' Foreclosure Intervention Network
The City Bar Justice Center was pleased to recognize Ms. Tendy's efforts with a 2012 Jeremy G. Epstein Award for outstanding pro bono service. Ms. Tendy's persistence, willingness to work outside her comfort zone, and untold dedicated hours have been a real gift to the Lawyers' Foreclosure Intervention Network. Learn more
We welcome your contributions! To nominate an outstanding volunteer, send an email describing the pro bono case or project to info@probono.net
Pro Bono News
The Legal Aid Society and 230 Law Firm/Corporate Partners Assist Low-Income New Yorkers Devastated by Hurricane Sandy
During Hurricane Sandy and in the immediate aftermath, managers, staff attorneys and support staff of The Legal Aid Society provided extraordinary services to low-income New Yorkers. Law firm and corporate volunteers quickly complemented this effort, traveling with staff to devastated neighborhoods that had neither power nor heat. Learn more
City Bar Justice Center Mobilizes Clinics in the Rockaways for Hurricane Sandy Victims
In November, the City Bar Justice Center began mobilizing pro bono lawyers to staff clinics in the storm-ravaged Rockaways, and the effort has continued through the Thanksgiving holiday and into December as legal needs have evolved. Learn more
Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services Issues New Report to Chief Judge
The report includes a number of new recommendations, including greater funding in the Judiciary budget for civil legal services, raising the recommended number of annual pro bono hours for New York lawyers, and increasing the role of non-lawyer advocates in bridging the justice gap. Learn more
Click here to read more pro bono news.
New Opportunities
Superstorm Sandy Relief Efforts
The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) has mobilized a legal aid disaster relief program to help victims of the storm deal with a range of legal issues. To volunteer to provide pro bono legal assistance with NYLAG, please email volunteer@nylag.org.
Legal Services NYC is helping storm victims with emergency benefits applications, housing issues, insurance and immigration matters. To offer pro bono legal assistance to New Yorkers affected by the storm, please email volunteer@ls-nyc.org and include "Sandy Volunteer" in the subject line.
Brooklyn Legal Services is seeking volunteer attorneys to staff legal clinics over the coming weeks. Register online.
Click here to see more available opportunities.
Upcoming Trainings and Events
December 11, 2012: Advanced Issues in Citizenship
This training from the New York Immigration Coalition will cover the good moral character requirement in applications for citizenship. Issues addressed will include permanent and temporary bars to naturalization, and how to evaluate a non-citizen's criminal history. Learn more
Storm Sandy Legal Training: FEMA Appeals and Private Insurance
This three-hour training will focus first on FEMA appeals, and then on private insurance issues. The training is for legal aid staff and pro bono volunteers. Learn more
December 19, 2012: Rebuilding After Hurricane Sandy: Real Estate Isssues
This webinar by Lawyers Alliance will address the legal concerns faced by parties to a standard form commercial lease when their leased premises is damaged or destroyed and the tenant and landlord have to wrestle with key issues such as responsibility for repairs and tenant displacement. Learn more
Click here to view the full calendar of pro bono events
and training opportunities.
Library Resources
Storm Response Pro Bono Training II: Disaster Relief Advocacy and Appeals
The New York Legal Assistance Group, in partnership with Pro Bono Net, conducted this webinar that provides a detailed discussion of FEMA and Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster relief advocacy and appeals. Learn More
Disaster Assistance Training for Pro Bono Lawyers Assisting Individuals and Families
Responding quickly to legal needs arising in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, several legal services organizations partnered to produce this training that was held at the City Bar on November 9, 2012. Issues covered include FEMA, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and Food Stamps. Learn more
Disaster Assistance Training for Small Businesses
The City Bar Justice Center's Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP), partnering with Stroock, & Stroock & Lavan, LLP and Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe LLP, conducted this training that addresses issues including FEMA, the Small Business Administration, commercial insurance, employment, and commercial landlord-tenant. Learn more
Click here to browse through the entire NYC Pro Bono Center Library.
Did you know?
That according to Appleseed's Hurricane Katrina Response Project, approximately 1.7 million people filed for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Katrina? Learn more
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