Welcome to the September 2011 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
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Provides Counsel to Detained New York Immigrants through an Innovative City Bar Justice Center Project
For nearly two years the NYC Know Your Rights Project, a collaboration of the City Bar Justice Center, The Legal Aid Society and the NYC chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), operated a pro bono clinic for detained immigrants at the Varick ICE Detention Facility. When that detention facility was closed in early 2010, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP helped to develop a representation pilot project in January of this year, in which law firm associates provide pro bono assistance to immigrants with strong equities and ties to New York applying for cancellation of their removal from the United States. Learn more
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Pro Bono Removal Defense Program with The Legal Aid Society Provides Model for Pro Bono Partnerships
Since 2007, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has provided invaluable pro bono assistance to immigrants by creating a removal defense program in which it co-counsels removal cases in Immigration Court with attorneys from The Legal Aid Society's Immigration Law Unit. To date, in addition to pending cases, Simpson has successfully completed 13 cases - thus enabling 13 immigrants to avoid deportation and stay in the United States with their United States citizen and permanent resident families. 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 Reports Increase in Pro Bono Services for Calendar Year 2010
The Legal Aid Society is pleased to report that 2010 saw another increase in pro bono services contributed. Over 3,400 legal professionals, including 2,174 attorneys primarily from major law firms, volunteered over 241,000 hours of pro bono services. The generosity of these professionals allowed Legal Aid to help assist the neediest New Yorkers on over 6,500 pro bono matters. Learn more
Epstein Volunteer Awards to Kick off Pro Bono Week at the NY City Bar Justice Center
In honor of the 2011 National Pro Bono Week, the City Bar Justice Center will award a selection of exceptional volunteers with the Jeremy G. Epstein Award for outstanding pro bono service. The awardees are volunteers of the City Bar Justice Centers projects who have gone above and beyond to foster close relationships with members of their communities in need of pro bono legal assistance. The awards this year will be presented at a cocktail reception. Learn more
Click here to read more pro bono news.
Upcoming Trainings and Events
Monday, October 3 & Thursday, October 14: The Impact of the New York State Marriage Equality Act on Couples and Families with Low or No Income
This training will be a comprehensive overview of the legal rights and protections afforded by marriage under the New York State Marriage Equality Act for couples and families with low or no income. Part One of the training will provide general information on the New York State Marriage Equality Act and its impact on parent-child relationships, transgender individuals and couples, and immigrants. Part Two of the training will discuss how marriage can impact a person's and household's financial eligibility, budgeting and costs for public assistance, public housing programs and public health insurance plans. Learn more
Wednesday, October 19: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
This training will cover the petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status and the application for adjustment of status. We will review documents needed from family court to complete the SIJ petition and discuss adjustment eligibility requirements particular to SIJ applicants, including the exemptions from inadmissibility that apply to SIJ applicants as well as common inadmissibility issues not covered by these exemptions, age-out issues, and continuity of family court jurisdiction. Learn more
Monday, October 24: City Bar Justice Center Jeremy G. Epstein Awards for Pro Bono Service
The presentation of awards will be held at a cocktail reception in honor of the awardees and National Pro Bono Week. Learn more
Click here to view the full calendar of pro bono events
and training opportunities.
Library Resources
Immigration Relief for Crime Victims: The U Visa
Now available: Video and training materials from the City Bar Justice Center on applying for U Visas for immigrant victims of crimes. Provided by the Immigrant Women and Children Project of the City Bar Justice Center. Learn more
Click here to browse through the entire NYC Pro Bono Center Library.
Did you know?
October 23-29, 2011 is the third annual National Pro Bono Celebration Week! Visit celebrateprobono.org to find out about events happening in New York and join attorneys across the country as we come together to recognize the contributions pro bono attorneys make every day.
Click here to view our archive of NYC Pro Bono Center Newsletter.
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