Pro Bono Summer: July News

This month we have been meeting community needs and keeping up with fast-changing laws and policies. The staff met last week to discuss how new federal legislation will impact the communities we serve: from older adults to immigrant young people to incarcerated mothers – no population of New Yorkers will be immune from the changes coming down. We are preparing to meet the increased and shifting needs for our clients to access their legal rights and remedies. VOLS Immigration Project has continued its briefing series, with Director Keighly Rector holding bi-weekly calls on changes to laws and policies for our pro bono partners.  

In brighter news, we had a lovely evening at our annual VOLS Pro Bono Advocates Council (PBAC) Summer Picnic in July. The weather meant we brought the fun indoors as we welcomed PBAC members, firm associates, summer associates and friends to chat about our work and all things pro bono. Thank you to the VOLS PBAC and our sponsors Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Davis Polk & Wardwell, Fried Frank, Latham & Watkins, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and Skadden for supporting this event.

Best, 

Abja Midha | She/Her
Executive Director, Volunteers of Legal Service

Staffing Updates

VOLS is excited to welcome our new Microenterprise Project Director, Adrian Smith. Adrian’s work is grounded in a commitment to economic justice and his 15 years of experience practicing corporate law, including advising businesses on matters involving governance, compliance, and complex transactions. Adrian is ready to hit the ground running to provide free transactional legal support to small business owners and entrepreneurs across New York City. 

We also are thrilled to share that Jean Stevens has been named VOLS Benefits Law Project Director. Jean joined VOLS last year as the Supervising Attorney for Housing & Benefits Law, bringing a wealth of housing law expertise and experience. Learn more about how VOLS BLP helps New Yorkers access and maintain vital benefits that support their basic needs. 



Call for Fellowship Candidates for Fall 2026

VOLS is seeking applicants to sponsor as candidates for Equal Justice Works, Skadden, or other privately funded fellowships beginning in September 2026. The fellow will work with the VOLS Microenterprise Project to help existing and aspiring underserved small businesses across New York City access high-quality free legal services. Read the full description on our website. 



We are Hiring!

Apply today and join our team!  


Get To Know Our Team

As part of the VOLS Spotlight Series, we spoke with Yan “Yuyan” Yu, Staff Attorney for the VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP). 

How does VOLS SLP support older adults with their civil legal challenges? 
At the VOLS Senior Law Project, we help older adults put important documents in place, so their wishes are clear if they become unable to make decisions or after they pass away. This includes choosing trusted people to make medical and financial decisions, outlining what those decisions should look like, and planning for what happens after death. We also help them stay in their homes and communities, and avoid outcomes like poverty, homelessness, or losing access to critical public benefits they rely on. 

Is there an experience and/or client that you found particularly memorable?     
There are many clients I will never forget, but what stands out most to me are the experiences where I was able to support both the client and the pro bono attorneys through complex, deeply personal matters. One client, who had been through a great deal, was extremely cautious and guarded in her interactions. I worked closely with pro bono on this case, and we had regular check-ins to figure out the best way to approach things and build trust. Through several phone meetings, we shaped a communication plan that really helped the client feel safe and heard. It was rewarding to see the relationship build, and in the end, the pro bono attorney helped her obtain her Last Will and Testament—a moment that gave her genuine peace of mind. Another case involved a client facing serious health challenges and a particularly complex family situation. I teamed up with pro bono attorneys to navigate the legal and logistical challenges. We work closely together—researching laws, communicating with government agencies, and drafting and revising the documents to make sure the client’s unique needs are met. The collaborative effort paid off, and I’m proud to have played a role in ensuring the client receives the protections she needed at a critical time in her life. 

Tell us about yourself. What makes a “good weekend” for you? 
I grew up in Chengdu, China, and moved to New York City about 20 years ago after falling in love with a New Yorker. We built a life together here until his passing about 10 years later. He was an attorney, and a few years after his death, I found the courage to follow a similar path and went to law school. Law school was not easy, especially since English is my second language—but it was also incredibly rewarding. I grew so much during that time, both personally and professionally, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Becoming a public interest attorney has been a deeply fulfilling step. I’m grateful to now be working at VOLS, serving the community I care about. 

Outside of work, I live with my dog Milo, who brings me joy and companionship every day. A good weekend for me starts early—with a big iced coffee and a long walk in Central Park with Milo, before 9am, when he can be off-leash and run free. After that, I like to work up a sweat with a friend at a yoga or Pilates class, followed by a big brunch that feels well earned. The afternoon is usually for catching up on chores I’ve fallen behind on during the week. I also enjoy making something delicious for dinner or trying out a new recipe I’ve been curious about. A good Facetime call with family in the evening always makes the day feel more grounded and connected. When I have more time, I enjoy going for a hike, taking a swim, or checking out a new exhibit or something interesting happening in the city. And to wind down, I love ending the day with a good book or movie. 



Project Updates

VOLS Microenterprise Project (MEP) held an in-depth virtual training to help small business owners navigate the legal, tax and real estate implications of buying and selling a business in collaboration with Debevoise & Plimpton, MetLife, and Bronx Small Business Development Center at Lehman College. The team held a presentation for entrepreneurs participating in Hot Bread Kitchen’s Seed Program with support from pro bono attorneys from Davis Polk and connected with small business owners competing in the Brooklyn Public Library’s PowerUp Business Plan Competition. 

VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP) provided education, advocacy and counsel at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility supported by attorneys from Davis Polk, Freshfields, and Fried Frank and held a clinic at Taconic Correctional Facility with volunteer attorneys from Bloomberg, Davis Polk, Freshfields, and Manatt. The team presented to summer associates at a Lunch-and-Learn hosted by Latham and held a presentation for social workers at partnering community organizations Hour Children and the Osbourne Association.

VOLS Benefits Law Project (BLP) published an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Hearing Toolkit for pro bono attorneys to provide to claimants navigating UI hearings and two new SCRIE/DRIE Guides in Yiddish and Urdu, part of our ongoing effort to provide accessible information to our clients. 

VOLS Immigration Project (IP) held two DACA renewal clinics for immigrant young people this month. VOLS IP also continues to hold weekly virtual briefings on changing immigration law and policy for our volunteer attorneys. 

VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP) continues to support older adults in our community, providing life planning services and legal education, including home visits for clients with limited mobility. This month SLP held legal clinics and educational programs with community partners at Center on the Square and Westbeth.  

SLP also recently published new guides to help Chinese American older adult New Yorkers and their caregivers learn more about life planning, guardianship, power of attorney, health care proxies, and managing someone’s personal and legal affairs after they pass away. Published in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, the guides, along with other translated material, are available on our website.  


Thank You to Our Summer Interns

Today is National Intern Day! VOLS is grateful to our interns for their valuable contributions and hard work! Thank you to Evan Chethik, Isabel Genn, Julian Glickman, Karla Galiano Herrera, Kevin Kogut, Leza Rooks, Priscila Ruiz, Collin Smith, and Loriann Szeto.



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