| In the VOLS Unemployment Insurance Advocacy Project, volunteer lawyers provide pro bono legal services to claimants who have been denied unemployment insurance benefits. Lawyers participating in the project represent clients at hearings before administrative law judges and may appeal adverse rulings to the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board.
The clients served by this project are in great need, having recently lost their jobs. At a time of widespread economic distress, this project provides an opportunity for lawyers to relieve some of the anguish and suffering being experienced by many of their fellow New Yorkers.
Both transactional lawyers and litigators are encouraged to participate in the project. VOLS screens each case and provides training and experienced mentors to assist participants.
Lawyers can make a major difference in these representations. At hearings, following denial of benefits by the New York State Department of Labor, unrepresented claimants prevail only 25 percent of the time. When represented by a lawyer at a hearing, claimants prevail at far more than double this rate.
The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, which oversees the hearing and appeal process, has pledged its full cooperation in support of this project.
In June of 2009 VOLS will launch the Unemployment Insurance Advocacy Summer Associate Program. VOLS will offer trainings in unemployment insurance law specifically designed for summer associates at law firms. To find out more information about these trainings please e-mail rweinstein@volsprono.org.
If you are seeking representation for your unemployment insurance appeal please call the VOLS Unemployment Insurance Hotline at 347.521.5720. | 
