Pro Bono Leadership: May Newsletter

Pro Bono Leadership

Last month, nearly 300 members of the VOLS community came together at the VOLS New York, Together 2023 Gala to celebrate and honor pro bono leadership and raise critical funds for our work. We heard from Jim Windels and Dara Sheinfeld from Davis Polk & Wardwell, Laura Schisgall from Societe Generale Americas, and featured guests Kate Shaw and Preet Bharara – all of whom, even at the highest levels in the profession, continue to value and do their own pro bono work.

“By participating in VOLS’s programs, we not only help others in need, but we make ourselves better lawyers and we make our profession stronger.”
James H.R. Windels, Director, Volunteers of Legal Service.

We celebrated pro bono stories together and thought ahead to the future about how we can expand pro bono legal service throughout the private bar. We also heard from former VOLS clients in a poignant reminder of the direct impact of free civil legal services, not only on their lives but for thousands of New Yorkers in need.

Best,

Abja Midha Executive Director, Volunteers of Legal Service



 Executive Director Abja Midha presents James H.R. Windels and Dara Sheinfeld with an award for Davis Polk & Wardwell. Image: Reuben Kleiner

VOLS Board member Jane Shvets presents Laura Schisgall with an award for Societe Generale Americas. Image: Reuben Kleiner

Preet Bharara and Kate Shaw discuss the impact of pro bono. Image: Reuben Kleiner


Give the Gift of Support this Mother’s Day

If you would like to make a Mother’s Day donation in honor of someone who has always been there for you, please consider a gift to VOLS. Your recipient will be notified of your gift with a personalized e-card.

Video: Celebrating Pro Bono Stories


Pro Bono Spotlight: Dyllan Brown-Bramble


Project Updates

VOLS Microenterprise Project (MEP) kicked off National Small Business Week by presenting a workshop hosted by Jobs Plus Fedcap focused on legal basics for new entrepreneurs. Last month, MEP presented alongside partners Metlife and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP on “Cybersecurity & Data Protection Basics for Small Businesses,” a virtual panel to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs with cybersecurity training. Earlier in April, MEP and Latham & Watkins presented on entity formation basics at Harlem Business Alliance, and participated in The Business Launch SkillZ business incubator, sponsored by Bank of India. MEP also held a legal clinic where VOLS and pro bono partner Simpson Thatcher & Bartlet LLP assisted clients identified by Progress Playbook as NYCHA entrepreneurs in drafting operating agreements and forming their LLCs.

VOLS Immigration Project (IP) is meeting with high school students across school partners this month starting with a Virtual Student Workshop at International High School at La Guardia Community College on Thursday, May 11 (today) to answer frequently asked questions. IP will also be conducting clinics screening students for immigration relief at Queens Satellite High School on May 19, and at International High School at Lafayette on May 23. In April, IP conducted two Immigration 101 presentations to staff and teachers at International High School at La Guardia Community College and International High School at Lafayette. The IP team discussed different forms of humanitarian relief, what to expect at immigration court hearings and answered staff questions on how best to support students through the process.

VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP) participated in the fourth Financial Institution Pro Bono Day (FIPBD) organized by Pro Bono Institute’s Corporate Pro Bono project with a Wills and Advanced Directives drafting and execution clinic with Bank of America and McGuireWoods. We also collaborated with Davis Wright Tremaine LLP and NERA Economic Consulting on two “Money Smart for Older Adults” presentations to help older adults recognize and reduce the risk of financial exploitation and guard against identity theft. One presentation was hosted at Greenwich House’s Center on the Square, and another was hosted at Carter Burden’s Covello Older Adult Center and they featured presenters from Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, NERA Economic Consulting, American Express, Apple Bank, and the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. SLP participated in several panel presentations hosted by the NYC-DFTA and PSS Life University – ”Simple Wills and Disposition of Remains,” “When Do I need an Elder Care Attorney,” and “How do I Choose an Elder Care Lawyer and What Can I Expect from my Lawyer?” and presented on “Ethics for the Elder Law Practitioner” at the Practicing Law Institute’s 35th Annual Elder Law Institute.

VOLS Veterans Initiative gave testimony at New York City Council’s Veterans Committee hearing on “The State of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Halls, as well as Other Veterans-Services Organizations with Physical Locations,” underscoring the impact of the digital divide on older New Yorkers and health concerns for older adults and veterans due to social isolation. Read the testimony in full.

VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP)  has returned to its historic model of conducting in-person clinics with incarcerated mothers to address their ongoing family law concerns. Earlier this month, IMLP held a clinic at Taconic Correctional Facility alongside pro bono partner Davis Polk & Wardwell; a second clinic will take place in mid-May with Davis Polk & Wardwell and JPMorgan. IMLP continues to train pro bono attorneys, working this month with the teams at JPMorgan as well as Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP.

VOLS Senior Law Project team alongside Phil Goldstein, McGuire Woods (left) and Jennifer Maloni, Bank of America (right) at the fourth Financial Institution Pro Bono Day.

L-R: Barry Gold (DWT), Rohit Malik (Citigroup), Elisa Tustian (VOLS), Yuyao Wang (NERA) and Jin Kim (DWT) at the fourth Financial Institution Pro Bono Day.

VOLS staff members at VOLS New York, Together 2023 Gala. Image: Reuben Kleiner


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