Convening our Partners: March News
VOLS’ legal services are powered by pro bono volunteers – as we like to say, it’s in the name. On March 1, Volunteers of Legal Service was proud to convene lawyers from legal services organizations, law firms and corporate pro bono partners for the VOLS 2023 Pro Bono Partners Convening. Small group discussions provided opportunities for thoughtful, frank, and productive conversations about collaboration between pro bono and legal services organizations in New York City. We are very grateful to all who joined, to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett for hosting the event, and to our colleagues at Her Justice, New York City Bar Justice Center, and Safe Passage Project for helping to co-facilitate along with the VOLS team.
As you’ll read below, there are varied ways to volunteer with VOLS and serve fellow New Yorkers. We hope to hear from you soon!
Best,
Abja Midha Executive Director, Volunteers of Legal Service
VOLS Updates/Events:
Upcoming CLE:
VOLS is co-sponsoring a CLE with the New York State Bar Association and SAGE Advocacy Services for LGBTQ+ Elders, Defensive Estate Planning For LGBTQ Couples After The Supreme Court’s Decision In Dobbs, which will take place on April 17. Those interested in attending can find more information here.
Celebrate Pro Bono Stories with us on April 25!
Purchase your ticket for VOLS 2023 New York, Together Gala, featuring Preet Bharara, Partner, WilmerHale, and Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in conversation with Kate Shaw, Professor of Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and Co-host, Strict Scrutiny podcast. VOLS will be honoring our outstanding pro bono partners Davis Polk & Wardwell, accepted by James Windels, VOLS Director, and Dara Sheinfeld, Counsel, Head of Pro Bono Litigation and Societe Generale Americas, accepted by Laura Schisgall, General Counsel. Check out our generous sponsors and join us for a fun and interesting evening!
Pro Bono Spotlight: Isabelle Glimcher
VOLS Microenterprise Project (MEP) has been busy with community presentations this month. Alongside pro bono partners Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Lowenstein Sandler LLP, we conducted an Ask the Expert: Legal Formation in New Jersey and New York presentation and Q&A session with the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Later in the month, pro bono partner Davis Polk & Wardwell joined us in a presentation and clinic on commercial leasing for small business and nonprofit tenants in Harlem, hosted by New York State Senator Robert Jackson’s office. Thank you to all who attended!
The MEP helped celebrate America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) #SBDC Day with others serving New York’s small business community, including TD Bank and Accompany Capital. This gathering of clients and business partners celebrated success stories and the notable impact SBDCs have on the small business community at large. MEP was honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for our work through the years with valued community partner, LaGuardia Small Business Development Center. We had a wonderful time at this event and are grateful for the recognition!
VOLS Immigration Project (IP) conducted a naturalization clinic with pro bono partner Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP for clients referred by the Kaplan Educational Foundation. Thank you to the attorneys from Cleary Gottlieb and Blackstone Inc. who volunteered their time and talents! IP also conducted an Asylum 101 presentation for forty members of the Sunset Park immigrant community at our community partner, Mixteca. We are grateful for this partnership, which has allowed us to share information on eligibility for asylum to recent arrivals in New York City.
VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP) started the month with presentations on life planning documents at our community partners, Henry Street Settlement and the Rodney Kirk Older Adult Center. SLP was also fortunate to work with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP and Bloomberg LP on a life planning documents clinic for older New Yorkers, and with Societe Generale and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom on a life planning documents clinic toward the end of the month. Thank you to our pro bono partners for hosting and serving older New Yorkers!
The Project also gave testimony at the New York City Council Committee on Aging’s Preliminary Budget Hearing about why the Council’s financial support for legal services for older adults – including VOLS SLP – is crucial to helping New Yorkers plan for their future. A full copy of the testimony is available here.
VOLS Veterans Initiative was proud to conduct a presentation, Life Planning Documents for Veterans, to the members of Bronx Community Board 7’s Veterans Committee. Connecting with stakeholders in the veteran community is a key aspect of this initiative.
VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project is continuing to serve incarcerated mothers who are currently in prison or jail, addressing family law matters with respect to custody, visitation, abuse and neglect matters and protection, foster care, reunification, termination of parental rights, and adoption. We are grateful to our volunteer attorneys from Societe Generale, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, AIG, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, who are participating in over-the-phone consults for clients of the Project, which provide much needed relief to incarcerated mothers who otherwise might not be able to access legal counsel.
Join the VOLS Community
- If you are affiliated with a VOLS partner law firm or company and would like to volunteer, please contact your company’s pro bono counsel.
- Make a donation to support VOLS’ free civil legal services: Click here to donate.
- Forward this page and ask your friends to sign up for the VOLS e-newsletter at www.volsprobono.org/join.