Welcome to the February 2014 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
CBJC's Immigrant Women & Children Project Recognizes Paul, Weiss and Amy Beaux for Outstanding Pro Bono Immigration Work
The City Bar Justice Center celebrates Paul, Weiss for their longstanding commitment to the Center's Immigrant Women & Children Project. Through the IWC, Paul, Weiss attorneys have prepared immigration applications, helped violent crime survivors obtain U visas, assisted trafficking survivors with T visas, and more. Learn more
National Law Journal Recognize's Weil?s Pro Bono Efforts for Sandy Victims
The Legal Aid Society highlights the National Law Journal's recognition of Weil, Gotshal & Manges for their exceptional pro bono work on behalf of over 1,000 homeless Superstorm Sandy victims. 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
LAS Conditions of Confinement Class Action Results in Significant Federal Court Settlement Agreement to Protect Children in State Custody
Legal Aid's Juvenile Rights Practice and pro bono counsel Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP settled a federal class action on behalf of present and future residents in certain juvenile placement facilities run by the NYS OCFS. OCFS will implement new policies to reduce the use of force and physical restraints against facility residents, provide for comprehensive mental health services, and establish a quality assurance system. In addition, the named plaintiffs will receive a total of $500,000 for injuries suffered from the use of force. Learn more
The City Bar Justice Center?s' Legal Hotline?'s First 100 Calls of 2014
In the first week of 2014, CBJC's legal hotline served over 100 New Yorkers. The primary areas of need were in divorce and family law, landlord-tenant disputes, and consumer debt defense. CBJC is also pleased to report that in 2013, the Hotline assisted over 11,000 callers by providing advice, legal information, and referrals. Learn more
Click here to read more pro bono news.
New Opportunities
Volunteer at the Access to Benefits (A2B) Hotline
The Legal Aid Society is expanding the Access to Benefits (A2B) Hotline to include immigration matters and is looking for volunteer assistance to help staff the newly expanded initiative. The immigration portion of the A2B Hotline will be open for calls every Monday and Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm and run from the Society's 199 Water Street location.
The Legal Aid Society is also looking for volunteer assistance to help staff the general A2B hotline, which is open for calls on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30am-12:30pm and also run from the Society's 199 Water Street location. Learn more
Click here to see more available opportunities.
Upcoming Trainings and Events
LAS Training Series | Representing Working Households in Medicaid Overpayment Investigations
On February 6th, learn how to represent individuals and families being investigated for Medicaid Overpayments by the City's Bureau of Fraud and Investigation and Claims and Collections, many of whom were mislead by plan enrollers who bear no liability for an erroneous enrollment. Learn more
LAS Training Series | Counseling the Small Non-Profit Organization
On February 25th, learn the essentials of counseling small to medium-sized nonprofits. Topics will include: good governance best practices, fiduciary duties of the board of directors, annual reporting to the IRS and the Charities Bureau, and legally-compliant fundraising. In addition, participants will learn to use a nonprofit compliance checklist to keep track of the sometimes bewildering range of nonprofit organization compliance obligations. Learn more
LAS Training Series | Employment Law for Non-Profits & Small Businesses
On February 27th, attend this LAS seminar for an overview of best practices in employment law for counsel representing nonprofit organizations and low-income small businesses with a focus on hiring and termination, employee evaluation and discipline, the proper classification of employees and independent contractors, wage and hour laws, and exempt versus nonexempt employees. Learn more
Click here to view the full calendar of pro bono events
and training opportunities.
Library Resources
Article 78 Proceedings | The Legal Aid Society
These resources will teach you to litigate an appeal of an administrative decision in State Supreme Court and the Appellate Division. These proceedings are the last avenues of redress for many of Legal Aid's clients who have lost government benefits or public housing. Topics covered include: how to draft legal pleadings and memoranda, conduct oral argument, and perfect an appeal. Learn more
Criminal Appeals | The Legal Aid Society
Acquire the knowledge to represent criminal defendants in the Appellate Division. This resource focuses on the procedural and substantive law underlying criminal appeals. Learn more
Housing Preservation Actions | The Legal Aid Society
Learn to initiate and litigate proceedings on behalf of tenants whose landlords willfully refuse to provide the most basic of services, including heat and hot water during the winter. This resource addresses the drafting of pleadings, pre-litigation research, how to obtain evidence, and strategies for effectively litigating the action to a successful conclusion. Learn more
Click here to browse the entire NYC Pro Bono Center Library.
Did you know?
That the National Law Journal released their 2013 Pro Bono Hot List celebrating eight firms with New York City offices? Learn More
Click here to view our archive of NYC Pro Bono Center Newsletters.
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