VOLS Newsletter: July 2022 - VOLS - Volunteers of Legal Service

July 20, 2022

July News: Summer in the City

Earlier this month, the VOLS team gathered to discuss what it means to serve clients in New York City at a time when U.S. Supreme Court decisions are systematically eliminating federal rights and protections. VOLS is acutely aware that these decisions have a ripple effect and may create fear and uncertainty for our clients.

As lawyers and advocates we were privileged to have these discussions through the lens of a legal education and through our experiences preserving the rights of underrepresented communities. Also this month, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments about the legality of the Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) program. We fervently hope that DACA is preserved (eventually, expanded and codified) and that in no way will this decision eliminate the basic, minimal protections that DACA provides. The VOLS team is, as always, ready to educate and assist our clients with whatever the outcome of this decision.

We are now settled into our new offices and grateful for the opportunity to safely gather at clinics with our pro bono partners, in one-on-one meetings with clients, for community partner presentations, at team picnics and, in September, at our inaugural VOLS Pro Bono Advocates Council End-of-Summer BBQ (see below for more information and please join us). Thank you all for your support of VOLS and for taking care of each other.

Best,

Abja Midha
Executive Director
Volunteers of Legal Service

VOLS PBAC End-of-Summer BBQ

Celebrate endless summer with New York City’s most fun pro bonos! The VOLS Pro Bono Advocates Council is thrilled to host an End-of-Summer BBQ at Picnic Point at Governors Island on Saturday, September 10 @12:30pm. Lots of fun details – including our PBAC Special Sauce –so please click here to buy your ticket and ask your friends to do the same!

*ticket sales benefit VOLS’ mission to provide high quality, free civil legal services in NYC

Pro Bono Spotlight: Victoria Fydrych

This month, we highlight the work of VOLS Pro Bono Council Advisory Member Victoria Fydrych, a litigation associate at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. To learn more about Victoria’s career and pro bono practice, please click here.

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VOLS is seeking great candidates for two open positions, each critical to help us serve our New York City neighbors. Come work with us as a Bilingual Legal Assistant or Data & Contracts Coordinator!

Incarcerated Mothers Law Project Relaunch

We are thrilled to announce the relaunch of the VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP). The IMLP offers a wide range of education and advice to incarcerated mothers on issues such as child abuse and neglect, custody, visitation, foster care, reunification, termination of parental rights, drafting family court documents, and adoption. This project was forced to go on hiatus given the lack of access to prisons and jails during COVID-19, but the need for family law services remained (and remains) high. With the help of our community and pro bono partners, the IMLP is now providing remote legal advice and information on these critical issues.

Updates from the VOLS Legal Team

This month the VOLS Immigration Project (IP) placed five immigrant youth with pro bono attorneys at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, who VOLS trained on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases. Following the oral arguments made at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans concerning the legality and future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on July 6, 2022, the IP would like to note that no decision has been made at this time, but we are closely following and continuously advising clients of their rights as we await the decision. Those looking for information on DACA and how this decision can impact their rights should contact the Immigrant Youth/VOLS Immigration Project Hotline at (347) 521-5722.

The VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP) is teaming up with MetLife, Proskauer Rose LLP, and Associated Blind HDFC to provide wills and advance directives for the residents of Selis Manor, an organization providing affordable housing to low-income blind New Yorkers. Earlier this week, the SLP held a wills and advance directives clinic with BNY Mellon and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. Thank you to the dedicated volunteer attorneys who take the time out of their packed schedules to help their older neighbors to plan for the future. VOLS wouldn’t be where we are without your dedication to pro bono work! VOLS Legal Director and Senior Law Project Director, Peter Kempner, testified at a joint hearing of the New York City Council’s Committees on Aging and Women and Gender Equality about challenges facing LGBTQIA+ older adults. The current laws and protocols for end of life and incapacity planning heavily operates based on heteronormative relationships and norms. VOLS’ testimony addressed these problems and supported the creation of a commission that would identify specific challenges to LGBTQIA+ older adults and develop equitable recommendations. Click here to read Peter’s full testimony.

Earlier this month, the VOLS Unemployed Workers Project (UWP) trained several firms on New York State unemployment insurance law and on working on the UWP Hotline. We are excited to partner with Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Arnold & Porter LLP on assisting our communities! The UWP is also pleased to share that the NYS Department of Labor has applied for blanket waivers from the federal government. If approved, the NYS DOL will be able to issue waivers rather than having to receive, adjudicate, and issue individual waiver applications, overall shortening the overpayment waiver process and ultimately waiving thousands of New Yorkers’ alleged debts. The UWP is also proud to report that we were able to assist hundreds of New Yorkers submit proof of 2020 eligibility of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance by the deadline, July 1, 2022.