The VOLS’ team is acutely aware of the economic trends that impact the communities we serve. This year, Robin Hood Poverty Tracker reported that in 2022, the largest “year-over-year increase in poverty” occurred in over a decade. We know that this only widens the access to justice gap. Poverty is still greater for New Yorkers identifying as female. This March, Women’s History Month, we are proud to announce that VOLS’ Keith-Miller Gender Justice Fund has been generously doubled by a gift from the Charles Lawrence Keith and Clara Miller Foundation. The Fund, now seeded with a one-million-dollar gift from the Foundation, will prioritize supporting legal services across our projects for women and girls for over at least ten years.
The past month, our team has testified as to the legal needs of New Yorkers with limited resources. We teamed up with pro bono and community partners to provide direct services and community legal education to offer support in all five boroughs. In April, we will celebrate 40 years of access to free civil legal services, as we continue to support New Yorkers through their challenges, so they can move forward with their lives.
Best,
Abja Midha | She/Hers
Executive Director, Volunteers of Legal Service
VOLS New York, Together 2024 Gala
Join VOLS on Tuesday, April 16 as we celebrate 40 years of access to justice at VOLS New York, Together 2024 Gala. VOLS is proud to be honoring our pro bono partners: Founding Firm & Visionary Sponsor Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP; Wells Fargo, accepted by Ellen Patterson, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel; and past VOLS Board Chair, Karen Artz Ash, Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Check out our generous sponsors and join us for the celebration with old friends and new, as we celebrate our milestone birthday.
VOLS Pro Bono Advocates Council
VOLS PBAC kicked off its third year with a meeting this week, officially announcing our new Co-Chair team Deniz Gurbuz, Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (second term) and Monica De Martin, Director – Counsel, Internal Investigations, Société Générale. For more information on our pro bono program, contact afonah@volsprobono.org.
36th Annual Elder Law Institute
VOLS Senior Law Project Director will present on “Ethics for the Elder Law Practitioner” at the Practising Law Institute’s 36th Annual Elder Law Institute, addressing common ethical issues that arise for elder law practitioners. Further information about the program can be found on the Practising Law Institute’s website.
New York City Council Testimony
VOLS MEP team testified before the New York City Council Committee on Small Business Oversight: Preliminary Budget Hearing, underscoring the continued need to support small business owners through accessible services and City programs. We highlighted the importance of making technical assistance and legal services available for entrepreneurs in New York City. A full copy of the written testimony is available on our website.
VOLS SLP team testified before the New York City Council Committee on Aging on the challenges and barriers faced by older adults and their caregivers when planning for their future and highlighted the importance of providing accessible free legal services to ensure their needs are met. A full copy of the written testimony is available on our website. You can access VOLS’ caregiver guides anytime on our Senior Law Project resources page.
VOLS SLP testified before the New York City Council Committee on Veterans highlighting the access to justice gap for veterans seeking legal services, and the need to ensure continued funding for veteran focused initiatives in New York City. VOLS noted the critical importance of adequate funding for the New York City Department of Veterans Services (DVS), including maintaining at a minimum the size and scope of the services it provides. A full copy of the written testimony is available on our website.
Project Updates
VOLS Benefits Law Project (BLP) held two Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption legal clinics in March, with community partners Hudson Guild and Breaking Ground. We were joined by pro bono attorneys from Wells Fargo and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, who helped older adults evaluate their eligibility and apply for these important “rent freeze” benefits. Older and disabled adults and their caregivers can access more information on the program with the VOLS Guide to the NYC Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (“SCRIE”) Program and NYC Disability Rent Increase Exemption (“DRIE”), available in English and Spanish.
VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP) continues regular visits to provide incarcerated mothers and parents with family law advice. In March, we worked with teams from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Bloomberg LP to provide education, advocacy, and counsel to incarcerated mothers and parents at Taconic Correctional Facility. Later this month, VOLS IMLP will hold a clinic at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility joined by volunteer attorneys from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobsen LLP, and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP.
VOLS Microenterprise Project (MEP) is pleased to announce a new community partnership with the Democracy at Work Institute and United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives, providing advice about the Corporate Transparency Act for their worker cooperative members. VOLS MEP is also partnering with CAMBA Small Business Services, Bridge Street Development Corporation with planned legal education workshops focused on Commercial Leasing and the Corporate Transparency Act.
This month, VOLS MEP conducted a virtual workshop focused on the basics of contracts for entrepreneurs alongside pro bono volunteers from WilmerHale and hosted by community partner Bronx Small Business Development Center at Lehman College. This newly updated presentation included tips for negotiating contracts, guidance often requested by the small business community.
VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP) team was delighted to attend the Zest for Life Older Adults Spring Social hosted by Fort Greene Council. VOLS SLP held legal clinics for older adults and educational programs with community partners SAGE, Riverstone Senior Life Services, Center on the Square, Red Oak Senior Center, Westbeth Older Adult Center, and Brownsville Neighborhood Action Center – NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. VOLS SLP conducted a life planning intake clinic at Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement with pro bono volunteers from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and American Express and held a life planning presentation in Cantonese for older adults at the Hong Ning Housing for the Elderly with pro bono partner White & Case and community partner the Chinese-American Planning Council Inc.
VOLS x 2024 TD Five Boro Bike Tour
VOLS is an Official Charity Partner for the 2024 TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Join us! To secure your spot, visit our website and fill out this interest form.
