Welcome to the October 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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It's National Celebrate Pro Bono Week! Visit the official site to see what the national pro bono community is up to. Pro Bono Net has a great lineup of guest bloggers writing about pro bono this week - click to read today's post.
Outstanding Volunteers
Law Firms Co-Counsel with The Legal Aid Society on Law Reform and Appellate Work that Seek Systemic Change and Correction of Unjust Legal Determinations
The Legal Aid Society's partnerships with New York's major law firms have supported Legal Aid's unique ability to go beyond any one case to create more equitable outcomes for individuals and broader, more powerful systemic change for society as a whole. Throughout its history, the Society and its pro bono law firm partners have worked tirelessly to achieve systemic change and justice for the clients of our Civil, Criminal, and Juvenile Rights Practices and their respective appellate units. Learn more
Julia Milne of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Finds Success in Coming to the aid of an Abused Mother
The Immigrant Women and Children Project of the City Bar Justice Center is pleased to recognize Julia Milne, an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, who successfully represented a survivor of domestic violence obtain a special visa for victims of crimes. Thanks to Ms. Milne's efforts, her client can now support herself and her 7 year-old son. 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
City Bar Justice Center Legal Hotline Statistics
The City Bar Justice Center Legal Hotline has released annual statistics from its Legal Hotline, which show an increase in callers facing consumer debt litigation and fielded over 20,000 calls. Learn more
Fourteenth Annual Legal Aid Society CLE Pro Bono Training Series Announced
The Legal Aid Society is proud to present its 14th annual CLE Pro Bono Training Series, which commences on November 30, 2011 with a session on Not-For-Profit incorporation and extends through May 2012. The training sessions will be conducted at participating New York City law firms. Seminars will cover diverse aspects of the Society's practice: administrative hearings and appeals, community economic development, criminal appeals and practice, immigration law, low-income taxpayersÂ’ rights, prisoners' rights, and general civil practice. Learn more or visit the The Legal Society CLE Pro Bono Training Series Portal Page
Click here to read more pro bono news.
New Cases
Assistance with U-Visa Application
The HIV Law Project is looking for pro bono assistance for an elderly victim of a hate crime committed against him for being Mexican. The client was assaulted on the street with a metal pipe and was taken to a hospital for treatment. He is now eligible to apply for a special visa for victims of violent crimes. Learn more
Assitance with Last Will & Testament
The HIV Law Project seeks pro bono assistance for a resident of the Bronx who is living with AIDS, who would like to prepare a Last Will and Testament. He has dogs, jewelry and household items he would like to distribute among friends and relatives, and he would like to name his sister as his executor. Learn more
Click here to see more available cases.
Upcoming Trainings and Events
Wednesday, November 9, 2011: Overview of Asylum Law and Procedure & Working with Survivors of Torture [webinar]
Probono.net/asylum presents a webinar featuring an attorney from Human Right First which will focus on pro bono representation of asylum-seekers in the United States.uring this webinar, you will learn about some of the key issues in asylum law, and will get an introduction to representing asylum-seekers before the Asylum Offices and the Immigration Courts. You will also learn about the bars to asylum and will gain insight into how best to work with survivors of torture. Learn more or click here to register.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011: Lawyers' Foreclosure Intervention Network Training
The Lawyers' Foreclosure Intervention Network (LFIN), a joint project of the City Bar Justice Center and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, has been helping New York City residents facing foreclosure since 2008. Participating lawyers will be trained to represent homeowners in the foreclosure settlement conferences and in applying for available loss mitigation options. Learn more
Wednesday, November 30, 2011: The Legal Aid Society's 2011-2012 CLE Pro Bono Training Program: Not-for-Profit Incorporation
Acquire expertise in incorporating not-for-profit entities and securing their federal tax-exempt status. The faculty 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
Click here to view the full calendar of pro bono events
and training opportunities.
Library Resources
Asylum Law Training Video
Now available: Video recording of a training by the Federal Bar Council, hosted by Morrison & Forrester LLP, which provides an overview of basic asylum law and practice tips for appearing before an asylum officer and the immigration court. With opening remarks by the Honorable Denny Chin, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Learn more
Click here to browse through the entire NYC Pro Bono Center Library.
Did you know?
There are pro bono programs for experienced attorneys who are retiring or who have already retired from the practice of law. The New York State Unified Court System has created an Attorney Emeritus Program which creates a special registration status for retired attorneys who volunteer, and The Legal Aid Society's Second Acts Program provides a wide range of pro bono opportunities for transitioning or retired attorneys in New York City.
Click here to view our archive of NYC Pro Bono Center Newsletter.
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